Health

Heart tests urged for kids with ADHD

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 12, 2008

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Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder should receive a careful cardiac evaluation and monitoring -- including an electrocardiogram -- before starting treatment with stimulant drugs, according to a new recommendation from the American Heart Assn.

The scientific statement on "Cardiovascular Monitoring of Children and Adolescents with Heart Disease Receiving Stimulant Drugs" was published online April 21 in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Assn. Warnings from the Food and Drug Administration about stimulant medications and public concern for their safe use prompted the statement, the heart association said.

Studies have shown that stimulant medications like those used to treat ADHD can increase heart rate and blood pressure. Although these side effects are insignificant for most children with ADHD, they are an important consideration for those who have a heart condition, according to the new statement.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/05/12/hlbf0512.htm.

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