RT Book, Section A1 Parnell, Aimee A1 Dorfman, Aaron A1 Brothers, Julie A2 Gleason, Marie Murphy A2 Rychik, Jack A2 Shaddy, Robert SR Print(0) ID 56748211 T1 Chapter 15. Preventive Cardiology T2 Pediatric Practice: Cardiology YR 2012 FD 2012 PB The McGraw-Hill Companies PP New York, NY SN 978-0-07-176320-2 LK accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=56748211 RD 2024/10/03 AB Pediatric preventive cardiology has increased in importance over the past several years due to the increasing number of children with obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. In adults, elevated blood pressure, abdominal obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, and elevated plasma glucose levels are collectively known as the metabolic syndrome. The metabolic syndrome is associated with significantly increased risk of developing premature cardiovascular disease. Although there is currently no agreed upon definition of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents, we do know that the extent of atherosclerotic progression is significantly correlated with several cardiovascular risk factors found in childhood, including elevated total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, obesity, high blood pressure, and smoking. Identifying children at a young age is beneficial because it allows for early implementation of dietary and lifestyle changes that may help delay the onset or progression of atherosclerosis. Indeed, in 2011, integrated cardiovascular risk reduction guidelines were published, specifically focusing on the promotion of cardiovascular health in children and adolescents as well as the identification and management of certain cardiovascular risk factors.1 This chapter will focus on 3 main areas of preventive cardiology: obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.