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Show An Ageless Problem for Young People: Heart Disease Mention "heart disease" and many people think of heart attack, or problems that happen hap-pen in "old age." But parents of the more than 25,000 babies each year born with congenital heart defects know better. So do the parents of the 100,000 children with rheumatic rheu-matic heart disease, or the thousands who died from it last year. And so do thousands of Americans who, at a young age, perhaps in their most productive years, are stricken by diseases of the heart and blood vessels. So do thousands of researchers and doctors -many supported by the American Ameri-can Heart Assoication - working work-ing to treat or prevent these diseases. Congenital heart defects -malformations existing at birth - are a concern of the American Ameri-can Heart Association. There are many types of congenital heart defects. Each may occur alone, or in combination with other defects. One medical volunteer for the American Heart Association Associa-tion pointed out that a child w ith a congenital heart defect now has a better chance than ever of surviving, and living a lifeof highquality." Advances in surgery have increased the survival rate impressively," he commented. "A child with congenital heart disease has a good chance of living a normal, healthy life." In most cases, it is not known what makes the heart develop abnormally before birth. Heredity is being studied. There is evidence that if the mother's diet is not adequate, her unborn child may be affected, so good nutrition is of course advisable during pregnancy. German measles - rubella -can also cause heart damage in the unlxirn child. AM persons who have not had the illness - but particularly women of childlwaring age who hre not already pregnant - should be immunized. To be safe, a woman should be immunized several months U'fore becoming becom-ing pregnant. Rheumatic Heart Disease Often, parents do not think of strep infection as a crippler. And it isn't, if treated promptly prompt-ly with antibiotics. But untreated, it can lead to rheumatic rheu-matic fever, which in turn can cause rheumatic heart disease and scarring of the heart valves. "Prevention is the best medicine," commented the Heart volunteer. "If all strep infections were treated, rheumatic rheu-matic heart disease could be stopped before it starts." For those who do contract rheumatic fever, however, long-term antibiotic therapy is recommended. recom-mended. Heart Disease: Now and Later Many heart problems, of con rse, do not appearimtil much later in life. But a parent may be able to help keep a chilli's heart healthy - and possibly prevent a heart attack in years to come - by guiding the child to heart-healthy habits now. Commented the Heart volunteer, "Children form lifetime life-time habits by observing examples that are set for them. If there's no smoking in the home, if meals are low in saturated satu-rated fats and cholesterol, the risk of developing heart disease dis-ease may be reduced. "We've found hardening of the arteries in teenagers, and high blood pressure in young children. Prudent measures can forestall the tragedies which might result from the conditions - or perhaps prevent pre-vent the condition from developing." devel-oping." The Future It depends on research - like that which is supported by the Heart Association. Concluded the Heart volunteer, "More money is needed for research, for education of the public and for more Heart Association community programs so we can continue to fight for our children's chil-dren's lives, now and later." The local Heart Association's annual fund drive will be conducted con-ducted in February. |