Primary Healthcare

Biography

Biography: Ingrid Schusterova

Abstract

The process of atherosclerosis begins already in childhood and its relationship to the presence and intensity of the known cardiovascular risk factors has been already proved. Expert panel on integrated guidelines for cardiovascular reduction in children and adolescents highlighted early identification of risk factors and their elimination, as they plays a key role in the prevention of CVS diseases. AHA definition of “CVS health” encompasses these parameters: tobacco use, BMI adjusted to the gender and age of a child, physical activity, score of healthy food, total cholesterol, blood pressure, fasting glycaemia. As an important part of primary prevention we perform screening program, examining the serum concentration of total cholesterol in 11 and 17 years old children and adolescents allover Slovak Republic by primary paediatricians. In case, total cholesterol level are higher than 5.4 mmol/l patients are refered to the specialist outpatient care department – pediatric cardiologist and endocrinologist. Selective screening is provided in population with high risk of CVS disease (with positive family history of CVS diseases, concentrations of cholesterol higher than 6.2 mmol/l, etc.) in specialised terciary centers for lipid metabolism disorders and preventive cardiology. Markers of subclinical atherosclerosis, increased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) assessed with ultrasound, endothelial dysfunction (reduced arterial dilation), and increased left ventricular mass with cardiac ultrasound are examined in the pediatric centers of preventive cardiology. The identification of children and adolescents with high risk and effective management of identified risk factors represents the key point in prevention of future CVD.