ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a condition considered chronic in which the predominant symptoms are related to the cognitive sphere of functioning. They concern the triad: attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity and impulsivity, which persist in the child over a period of time. ADHD is treated by psychiatrists and psychologists, but it also has effects that can affect other body systems, such as the cardiovascular system.
Physical development
The physical development of ADHD sufferers has not been the subject of much literature and, moreover, the data that can be encountered in the literature tend to be largely disparate. Quite a few of them point to problems such as obesity or overweight, but other studies find no cognitive problems in groups of overweight or obese children.
The studies cited in this thesis did not find a link between cognitive impairment and overweight problems in their conclusions. In addition, radiological examinations did not reveal changes or abnormalities in thoracic organ imaging. No significant abnormalities, either, were revealed by the electroradiological examination, and if any deviations were revealed during the examination, they were within normal limits. However, it should be borne in mind that isolated incidents of abnormalities can also be observed in healthy children.
Pharmacological treatment
Relevant from the point of view of pharmacotherapy is the recommendation of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that cardiovascular monitoring is necessary before the inclusion of medication in children and adolescents with ADHD. Patients suffering from ADHD, in fact, have incidents of adverse events, in the context of the cardiovascular system, which may involve a life-threatening or life-threatening condition.
Alarming symptoms
Cardiovascular adverse events that can be observed are related to acceleration or deceleration of heart rate, conduction disturbances or abnormalities of the repolarisation period (such as ST-T complex abnormalities or T-wave abnormalities and QT interval prolongation).
All of the above-mentioned abnormalities have been observed by the European Medicines Agency (ERBCsA) and the FDA in ADHD patients treated with standard doses of cardiovascular drugs.
photo: panthermedia
Given the risks of including pharmacotherapy, it is necessary to expand the study to include a detailed family history, in particular the doctor should have knowledge of the occurrence of sudden deaths in the family, arrhythmias of pre-fainting states, medications taken by family members (especially those that prolong QT), and consumption of grapefruit juice.
Follow-up
Once the appropriate medication has been selected, cyclical ECG check-ups are essential, the frequency of which should depend on the dose prescribed, as well as the patient's wellbeing and health status.
Blood pressure
Another element of cardiac assessment is the measurement of blood pressure - both systolic and diastolic. The study referred to in this paper does not indicate abnormalities associated with hypertension at rest, hence the conclusion that increased physical activity in children with ADHD is a cause of cardiovascular changes.
Nevertheless, the results obtained in this study do not show any contraindications to physical activity, and in fact show its beneficial effects on cardiovascular changes, also in the context of the child's overall psychomotor development. [1]
