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Heart Health: Dr Divyesh Sadadiwala’s Advice for Parents

World Heart Day: Why Children’s Heart Health Deserves Attention Early

Healthy food, regular movement, enough sleep and early medical checks can help shape heart health long before adulthood

Heart disease is usually thought of as an adult health problem. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and other cardiovascular risks are often linked with middle age and older adults. Medical research, however, shows that several of these risks can begin much earlier.

For parents, that means heart health deserves attention during childhood, when eating habits, activity levels, sleep routines and other daily behaviours are taking shape.

On World Heart Day, observed on 29 September, the World Heart Federation is drawing attention to cardiovascular disease and the need to recognise warning signs that may otherwise be missed. Its 2026 campaign carries the message, “Heart Disease can hide in plain sight: Don’t miss a beat.”

Dr Divyesh Sadadiwala, Visiting Consultant in Paediatric Cardiology at Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Ahmedabad, says families should look at heart health as part of a child’s wider health rather than waiting for an illness to appear. Narayana Health lists his qualifications as MBBS, MD in Paediatrics and a Fellowship in Paediatric Cardiology.

The surroundings in which children grow have changed sharply. Phones, tablets, television and gaming can occupy large parts of a child’s free time. At the same time, packaged snacks and sweetened drinks are easy to buy and consume.

These habits do not mean that a child will develop heart disease. The concern arises when low physical activity, poor diet and excess weight become long-term patterns.

The World Health Organisation says many non-communicable diseases have roots in childhood. Physical inactivity, unhealthy diets and exposure to tobacco are among the factors that can add to health risks later in life.

Childhood overweight and obesity are also linked with a greater chance of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease at a younger age. WHO estimates that more than 390 million children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 were overweight in 2022. The proportion of children and adolescents in this age group who were overweight, including those with obesity, rose from 8% in 1990 to 20% in 2022.

Children need regular physical activity for healthy growth. Walking, cycling, swimming, running, outdoor games and age-appropriate sports can all provide opportunities to move.

WHO advises that children and adolescents should get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. The activity can include play, sport, walking, running and other forms of movement suitable for the child’s age.

The American Heart Association also includes physical activity among its measures of cardiovascular health. Its Life’s Essential 8 framework covers diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep, body weight, cholesterol, blood glucose and blood pressure. The framework can be applied from the age of two.

For families, this does not have to mean formal exercise sessions. A child can walk short distances, play outside, cycle with friends or take part in a sport. Breaking up long periods of sitting can also help reduce the amount of time spent inactive.

Children learn much of their eating behaviour from the people around them.

A diet built around vegetables, fruits, pulses, whole grains, nuts and other nutritious foods can provide the range of nutrients children need. Foods high in salt, added sugar and unhealthy fats should not become the regular choice.

Sugary drinks deserve particular attention. WHO says higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with overweight and obesity in children. These drinks can add a large amount of sugar and calories without providing the same nutritional value as many healthier foods and drinks.

For Indian families, traditional drinks such as nimbu pani or jaljeera can sometimes be considered as alternatives, depending on how much added sugar and salt are used.

Parents also influence children through their own behaviour. When adults eat balanced meals, choose healthier drinks and remain physically active, children see those actions as part of normal family life.

Sleep is another part of cardiovascular health that can be overlooked.

The American Heart Association added sleep to its Life’s Essential 8 framework in 2022. Its guidance notes that children need more sleep than adults, with recommended amounts varying by age. Children aged 6 to 12 generally need nine to 12 hours, while teenagers aged 13 to 18 need eight to 10 hours a night.

Poor sleep can also be linked with factors such as obesity, physical inactivity and poor diet. Research reviewed by the American Heart Association has connected sleep health with blood pressure and other cardiometabolic risk factors.

A regular bedtime, fewer screens before sleep and a suitable sleeping environment can help families establish better routines.

Most childhood symptoms do not automatically mean that a child has a heart condition. Some signs, however, deserve medical attention, particularly when they occur repeatedly or during physical activity.

These include unusual breathlessness or tiredness during exercise, fainting while exercising, chest discomfort linked with exertion, a racing or irregular heartbeat, poor tolerance for physical activity, bluish skin or lips, and poor weight gain in younger children.

A family history of heart disease or sudden unexplained cardiac death is also information that parents should share with their child’s paediatrician.

Early assessment can be useful because some cardiovascular problems have few obvious symptoms. The World Heart Federation’s 2026 campaign also stresses that cardiovascular disease can affect people of different ages and that warning signs may go unnoticed.

There is no single habit that can guarantee a person will never develop cardiovascular disease. Genetics, medical conditions, living conditions and lifestyle can all affect risk.

The World Health Organisation identifies unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco exposure and several other factors as important contributors to cardiovascular disease. It also stresses the value of identifying cardiovascular disease early so that appropriate care can begin.

For children, the practical approach starts with everyday routines. Families can make time for physical activity, serve nutritious meals, protect sleep time and avoid exposing children to tobacco smoke. Routine paediatric visits also give doctors opportunities to monitor growth and blood pressure when appropriate.

Children who already have a diagnosed heart condition need regular follow-up and should follow the treatment and activity advice given by their medical team.

World Heart Day therefore offers parents a useful reminder: the heart should not enter the family health conversation only when a problem appears. The habits formed during school years can continue into adulthood.

For a child, heart care may begin with something as ordinary as a game outside, a healthier meal, an earlier bedtime or a routine medical check. Those choices are small, but they can become part of a healthier pattern that lasts for years.