How does ADHD Increase the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

What to know about ADHD?

ADHD is a pattern of behavioral symptoms in which children or adolescents are affected. They usually become forgetful about things. They become anxious or frustrated over small things. The proper diagnosis enables healthcare professionals to treat them medicinally, therapeutically, etc.

Risk factors with ADHD:

Risk factors involve genetic makeup that relates to family history. Brain structure also influences the individual’s attention, nerve control, and motor functions. Prenatal and perinatal factors also affect children with ADHD. Various toxins also induce ADHD symptoms in some individuals. Deficiencies of specific nutrition such as iron, zinc or omega-3 have chances of involvement in the disease. A previous history of having a TBI can also lead to ADHD.

WHAT IS CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE?

Cardiovascular diseases are collectively the dysfunction of the heart, vessels, or any coronary artery. It is the leading cause of death around the globe. The disease starts from the pain heart. The pain includes the jaw, side of the neck, shoulder, and left hand usually referred to as angina. It ends up in the death.

Risk factors related to heart health:

There are many risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Two types of risk factors contribute to cardiovascular diseases i.e. Modifiable and non-modifiable. Non-modifiable factors include family history, genetics, gender, and aging. While modifiable factors are high, B.P., diabetes, obesity, increased level of low-density lipoproteins metabolic syndromes, etc.

LINK BETWEEN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES AND ADHD:

Certain medications:

Various stimulant medicines used to treat ADHD sign, for time, increase heart rate and B.P. They are not permanent and they do not come every time with a dose. Specialists must monitor the risk of cardiovascular disease while prescribing medicines.

Lifestyle factors:
ADHD individuals have symptoms, which modify their lifestyle. They do not eat proper diet or do over-eating. They have a sedentary lifestyle. They do over smoking usually when become anxious and depressed. Such a lifestyle contributes to obesity, high cholesterol, and B.P. Due to high cholesterol, there is a build-up of plaque in heart vessels, which becomes the cause of arrhythmias or coronary diseases.
Anxiety and depression:
These individuals are continuously under depression due to continuous failures mostly in adult individuals. Depression and anxiety are the leading causes of diseases around the world. They have a strong impact on heart health. Stress leads to high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.
Inflammation:
Many individuals use alcohol due to continuous depression and in return, inflammation affects the body in many ways. Studies suggest Inflammation is the main risk factor for heart disease.
IMPORTANCE OF SCREENING CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN INDIVIDUAL:
EARLY MANAGEMENT:
Early screening leads to early management of the disease. Certain lifestyle modifications contribute to decreasing the risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
Easy monitoring for medications:
The individuals who are prescribed stimulant medicine for the treatment of ADHD, early screening of risk factors is very important. Their BP and heart rate should be monitored continuously. This also helps with the adjustment of effective medication.
Long-term health & wellness:
Across the globe, the higher rate of morbidity and mortality is cardiovascular disease. Early screening of CVS risk factors promotes long-term well-being.

HOW TO ASSESS THE RISK FACTORS OF CVD IN ADHD INDIVIDUALS?

Medical history:

Family history plays a vital role in assessing risk factors for CVD.  The clinician must check the risk factors like smoking, obesity, diabetes, and high BP.

Physical examination:

Checking vitals is the most important step in the diagnosis of CVD. The clinician must look for any comorbid factor such as anxiety or stress, as they can directly influence CVD.

Lifestyle evaluation:

The examiner checks the lifestyle of the individual. A sedentary lifestyle promotes a stronger chance of CVD. Physical inactivity may also lead to CVD.

Laboratory tests:

The lipid profiles elaborate on the total cholesterol in the blood. This enables clinicians to measure the LDL and HDL. Elevated triglycerides also suggest risk factors for heart disease. A fasting blood glucose test counts the level of glucose in the blood. Due to this test, you cannot eat from the last night until the test. This indicates the possible risk of diabetes, which is also a stronger indication of heart disease risk. High-sensitivity CRP tells you about inflammation in the body. Research has proved that inflammation might lead the human body toward heart disease.

Electrolytes and kidney function tests:

Abnormal levels of electrolytes, including potassium and magnesium enumerate the possible risk of CVD. Disrupted kidney function also suggests abnormal heart function.

However, these tests must be conducted at the suggestion of your healthcare provider or by a specialist. After testing your healthcare provider may be able to form a link between CVD and AHDH.

MISCONCEPTIONS:

There are many misconceptions about the medicines for ADHD that they always cause heart disease risk factors. However, scenarios may differentiate from individual to individual.  It is not necessary that every person with ADHD must reflect a pattern of cardiovascular diseases. Only screen it under specialist supervision and please take care of yourself because If you take medicine in lower dosages that would not affect your metabolism and will not increase the risk of cardiovascular problems always overeating these medicines will increase risks of stroke and arteries blockage.