Do children develop hardening of the arteries?
The medical term for hardening of the arteries is “atherosclerosis.” Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque (hard deposits) in the artery walls. This buildup can block the artery and promote the formation of blood clots. Atherosclerosis of the arteries around the heart is a type of coronary artery disease. Children generally do not develop problems from coronary artery disease. However, mild abnormal changes can be seen in the walls of arteries of children, and damage to the arteries can begin during childhood. Risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis include: • A family history of atherosclerosis • A sedentary lifestyle • Obesity • Smoking • Abnormal serum lipids (high levels of fat, including cholesterol, in the blood) Nearly all of these factors can be modified during childhood. Avoidance of cigarette smoking and increased aerobic exercise along with weight control and blood pressure monitoring should be encouraged to promote a healthy cardiovascular lifestyle and to re
