ADHD Significantly increases Risk for Cardiovascular Disease

September 26, 2022 Helal Medical

Some psychiatric conditions Is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, but there is little information about the link between ADHD and the risk of cardiovascular disease.

What is ADHD?

ADHD: Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder
It is one of the most common neurological disorders that starts in children and lasts into adulthood.
Main symptoms and signs include trouble paying attention, impulsive behaviors or being overactive. So, it is a mental health disorder that includes a combination of problems, (difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior).

How common is the disorder?

The 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) interviewed parents and reports the following ADHD prevalence data among children ages 2–17 (General Prevalence – CHADD):

About 8.5% of children and 2.5% of adults have it (Danielson, 2018; Simon, et al., 2009). The disorder is often first identified in school-aged children when it leads to disruption in the classroom or problems with schoolwork. It is more commonly diagnosed among boys than girls given differences in how the symptoms present. However, this does not mean that boys are more likely to have ADHD. Boys tend to present with hyperactivity and other externalizing symptoms whereas girls tend to have inactivity.

ADHD is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease

A new study finds that disorder may be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Researchers followed over 37,000 people with the disorder for nearly 12 years to see if they developed any cardiovascular conditions. All people with this disorder had an increased risk of cardiac diseases, but the risk was especially high for cardiac arrest, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.

Causes

The cause of the disorder is not known till now. But several factors may have a role:

Heredity. As the disorder tends to run in families.
Chemical imbalance. Brain chemicals in the person may be out of balance.
Brain changes. Areas of the brain that control attention are less active.
Malnutrition, infections, smoking, drinking, and substance abuse during pregnancy, such things can affect a baby’s brain development.

Diagnosis of ADHD

Diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is based on clinical evaluation only. There is no laboratory tests are available for diagnosis. Some laboratory tests that may help in diagnosis and aid in treatment, such as CBC count with differential, electrolyte levels, liver function tests, and thyroid function tests.