American Heart Association Recommends Children Receive Heart Screening Before Taking Stimulant Medications

Stimulant medications like those used to treat ADHD can increase heart rate and blood pressure. For most children with ADHD, these side effects are insignificant. However, for an ADHD child with a pre-existing or undiagnosed heart condition this rise in heart rate and blood pressure can increase the risk for sudden cardiac arrest.

Because of these concerns, the American Heart Association now recommends that children be screened for heart problems with an electrocardiogram (ECG) before being given stimulant medications. Your child’s doctor may typically conduct a physical exam and thorough patient and family history before placing your child on any prescription medicine, however, the ECG can detect abnormalities that these routine evaluations may miss. An ECG measures the heart’s electrical activity and can identify heart rhythm abnormalities such as those that can lead to sudden cardiac death.

According to Vincent Iannelli, MD, About.com's guide to Pediatrics, the new American Heart Association ADHD guidelines are not without controversy though, as they were published without consulting the American Academy of Pediatrics, whose members would be responsible for following the guidelines. The AAP describes the AHA guidelines as "cautious" and "may not be feasible." Read more from Dr. Iannelli in his Pediatrics Blog.

Click on AHA Recommendations to read more.

What are your thoughts about the AHA’s recommendations?

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