Recommendations for Children with Heart Conditions Going on Summer Vacation

Advice for Children with Heart Disease Heading into Summer Break Children who received their report cards have begun a long holiday as schools close. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Yıldırım, Instructor in Pediatric Cardiology, explained what children with heart disease and their families should pay attention to in order to enjoy their summer fully while protecting their health. Yıldırım stated: "We must encourage our children to embrace sports both in summer and winter months. There is benefit in them engaging in one hour of physical activity daily." With schools closing and children entering summer break, some are unable to fully enjoy their vacation due to illness. Children with heart disease are among them. Many children with heart conditions are restricted from movement and sports by their families even though their conditions do not require such limitations. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Yıldırım, Instructor in Pediatric Cardiology at Koşuyolu High Specialization Training and Research Hospital, provided important information to families about summer break and children's heart health.  

Daily physical activity of one hour is beneficial

Prof. Dr. Ayşe Yıldırım, Instructor in Pediatric Cardiology, said: "Our children received their report cards today. They all completed an intensive school year. Now a wonderful 3 months awaits them. As a pediatric heart health doctor, my recommendation for this holiday is physical activity. During the winter period, children who were forced to spend time at desks and tablets had their health somewhat affected due to lack of physical activity. As physical activities, they can engage in brisk walking, running, climbing stairs, jumping, and rope skipping. There is benefit in them doing one hour of physical activity daily. There are also activities called fitness that further strengthen the musculoskeletal system. If they are able, we recommend these as well. These activities include stretching exercises. We need to teach families that these exercises are important for heart and lung health. Children who engage in physical activity also become more social. Children who socialize do not develop anxiety and depression. A child who plays sports becomes more attentive and social. Besides this, children should also pay attention to their diet," he said.

We should keep them away from packaged products

Continuing his remarks, Yıldırım explained: "Everything done in childhood becomes the diseases we will face later. Children who eat very salty or junk food return later as hypertensive patients. For this reason, as parents we must prevent this from the beginning. We should keep our children away from packaged products as much as possible. Children should eat homemade foods. For example, freshly made fruit juice, fruits and vegetables. We must encourage our children to embrace sports both in summer and winter months," he explained.