Some not so wonderful news to report: Children with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) are more and more overweight.
That’s not good. While Cardiac Kids may be slow to add weight when they are young, most of us “catch up” later. We may be a little bit thin, but our weight is acceptable. But this study contends that once we catch up, we keep going! The reasons are many and varied, and usually just as applicable to Heart-Healthy kids: video games, fast food… you’ve heard all this before, I am sure.
But CHDers need to keep their weight under control. (…says the Funky Heart, who could stand to lose a few more pounds himself.) Every extra pound we carry means that our hearts have to work harder to pump blood through our body. That may not be a problem for the average kid, but our hearts are already bruised and beaten up; they have been cut apart and stitched back together again. We need to make it as easy on them as possible.
So how much should you weigh? The research article cited above mentions the Body Mass Index (BMI) as one of its comparison tools. The BMI is OK for use as a comparison, but don’t use it as your source for your proper weight. Ask your Cardiologist for advice about a good weight range to stay in. Many people contend that the formula used to calculate your BMI number is flawed. You have to wonder if they may not be on to something, since according to their BMI numbers, former President George W. Bush is a fatso and actor Tom Cruise (five foot, seven inches tall; 160 pounds) is plump.
So find out what your healthy weight range is, and do what you can to keep it there. Be sure to discuss any exercise plan with your doctor first – overdoing it and damaging your heart while you are trying to take care of yourself defeats the entire purpose, after all. Go outside and play; don’t think about exercising, just go have fun. Take a walk through the neighborhood, at your own pace. Get FitDeck Exercise Playing Cards. FitDeck Junior is great for Cardiac Kids, providing that their Cardiologist gives their approval. It’s all fun and games… but they are really exercising! (Shhhh! Don’t tell ’em the secret!)
I often remind my readers that CHDers are living longer and better lives as modern medicine develops new ways to overcome our Heart Defect. But it doesn’t “just happen”, we have to contribute to our own well-being.
Tags: CHD, Congenital Heart Defect, Congenital Heart Disease, Exercise, FitDeck, fitness, Health, Obese, Overweight
Adventures of a Funky Heart! 
November 17, 2010 at 8:51 pm |
Good info Funky Heart! I remember my parents trying to fatten me up when I was little and now I am trying to lose those extra pounds (and the other extra pounds that followed them…). It’s so difficult and I have stumbled along the way, but it is so important. Like they say on TV (I think Biggest Loser?) “Standing is better than sitting, but walking is better than standing. Get up and MOVE!”