Heart disease in children includes conditions present from birth as well as those that develop later due to infections, genetic factors or other health problems. Exercise and sports can benefit these children physically and emotionally, but activities should be discussed with their cardiologist to determine what is safe. Parents, teachers and coaches should recognise warning signs such as new or sustained irregular heartbeats, severe breathlessness, chest pain, dizziness or fainting and have an emergency plan in place. Good nutrition is equally important, with adequate calories, protein, calcium, vitamin D, potassium and heart-healthy fats when appropriate, while limiting excess sodium and highly processed foods.
A child’s heart performs a vital function: it supports the growth of their developing body. Problems affecting a child’s heart can be very concerning and scary for parents. Paediatric heart disease encompasses a range of illnesses that affect the heart and the circulatory system in babies, children and adolescents. This includes congenital heart defects that are present from birth. Paediatric heart disease can also develop after birth due to infections, genetic mutations or other underlying health issues.
Recognising the signs early and getting your child the appropriate help can make a big difference to their long-term health. Many children grow up with heart disease but go on to live long, healthy lives with appropriate treatment and management strategies.
Managing a child’s heart disease can be a challenging task for a parent. Children need regular monitoring, timely medications, appropriate nutrition, regular medical check-ups and emotional support. The experience can also be overwhelming for the child. They may miss school and other activities, making them feel lonely and like outsiders in the school environment.
For such children, taking part in activities, such as sports, can be a good way to form a supportive community and feel included. But the question then is: Can children with heart problems play sports?
Yes, many children with heart conditions can participate in sports if they want to. Regular physical activity is beneficial for children with heart problems, both physically and psychologically. Most children with congenital heart disease can participate in physical activity, although the type and intensity may need to be tailored to their specific condition.
Playing a sport helps build muscle, improves endurance, supports a healthy weight and promotes cardiovascular fitness. It can also help reduce stress and increase opportunities for healthy social interaction.
However, some children may need restrictions on certain activities depending on their heart condition. Therefore, it is important to discuss participation in sports with the child’s cardiologist.
If your child wants to play sports, you must first discuss it with their cardiologist. They will give you the right recommendations about the type and intensity of exercise that your child can safely participate in. For some children, the paediatric cardiologist may advise caution with contact sports or other activities, depending on the specific heart condition, heart function, heart rhythm or treatment.
Children should warm up before exercising, increase the intensity gradually and cool down afterwards. They should also stay adequately hydrated, unless their doctor has advised fluid restrictions.
The paediatric cardiologist will also educate the child and their caregivers about warning signs to look out for while exercising:
Irregular heartbeats – A new or sustained sensation of a racing, pounding or irregular heartbeat during or after exercise should be reported, particularly if it occurs along with dizziness, chest pain or breathlessness. The child should be taught to recognise unusual symptoms and tell an adult immediately.
Feeling out of breath – It is normal for children to breathe faster during exercise, but they should not struggle to breathe. If the child is having significant difficulty breathing or is unusually breathless, they should stop playing and rest. If the breathing difficulty is severe or does not improve with rest, seek medical attention.
Chest pain – Chest pain during exercise, persistent chest pain or chest pain associated with dizziness, fainting or significant breathlessness is a cause for concern. The child should stop exercising and seek medical attention.
Dizziness or fainting – Severe dizziness, feeling faint or losing consciousness, particularly during exercise, can be a warning sign and requires prompt medical assessment. If the child loses consciousness, seek emergency medical care immediately.
In order for your child to exercise safely, it is important for the coach and teachers at school to be informed of your child’s condition and how to respond if they develop symptoms. You should also make an emergency plan with the child’s school to ensure appropriate action is taken at the right time for your child’s wellbeing.
Some children with heart problems may have difficulty gaining weight or meeting their nutritional needs, particularly when their heart condition increases their energy requirements. When they exercise, they may expend even more energy, so they need a balanced and nutritious diet. However, nutritional requirements vary depending on the child’s heart condition, growth and activity level.
Whole grains and heart-healthy fats can be included as part of a balanced diet.
Protein is vital to repair tissues and support muscle development.
It is also important to keep an eye on sodium levels in the child’s diet. Too much sodium can contribute to fluid retention in some children with heart conditions and may place additional strain on the heart. Avoid or limit highly processed, prepackaged and preserved foods that are often high in sodium.
Calcium is also crucial for bone health and muscle function. Include age-appropriate sources of calcium, such as dairy products, in your child’s diet. Ensure adequate vitamin D through dietary sources and supplements if recommended by the child’s healthcare provider.
A balanced diet generally provides the potassium a child needs. Good dietary sources include bananas, potatoes, nuts, seeds and other fruits and vegetables. However, children with certain heart conditions or those taking specific medications may have individual potassium requirements, so any dietary changes should be discussed with their healthcare provider.
If your child has a heart condition and you need guidance on safe physical activity or nutrition, expert paediatric cardiologists at Kauvery Hospital are here to help. With branches in Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli, and Trichy, Kauvery Hospital offers comprehensive care to support your child’s heart health and wellbeing.
Yes, many children with heart conditions can participate in sports. The type and intensity of activity may need to be tailored to the child’s specific heart condition and should be discussed with their cardiologist.
Regular physical activity can help build muscle, improve endurance, support a healthy weight and promote cardiovascular fitness. It may also reduce stress and provide opportunities for healthy social interaction.
Some children may need to avoid or take precautions with contact sports depending on their heart condition, heart function, heart rhythm or treatment. A paediatric cardiologist can advise which activities are appropriate.
New or sustained irregular heartbeats, significant breathlessness, chest pain, severe dizziness or fainting can be warning signs. The child should stop exercising and tell an adult if unusual symptoms occur.
Fainting, particularly during exercise, requires prompt medical assessment. If the child loses consciousness, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Children should discuss sports participation with their paediatric cardiologist first. They should warm up, increase exercise intensity gradually, cool down afterwards and stay adequately hydrated unless fluid restriction has been advised.
Their nutritional needs depend on their heart condition, growth and activity level. A balanced diet should provide adequate calories and protein, along with appropriate calcium, vitamin D, potassium and heart-healthy fats while limiting highly processed, high-sodium foods when advised.
Start by discussing the desired sport and activity level with the child’s paediatric cardiologist. The doctor can recommend suitable activities and precautions, while parents, teachers and coaches should know the warning signs and have an emergency plan in place.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai (Alwarpet, Radial Road & Vadapalani), Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and paediatric trauma care.
Chennai Alwarpet – 044 4000 6000 • Chennai Radial Road – 044 6111 6111 • Chennai Vadapalani – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Maa Kauvery Trichy – 0431 4077777 • Kauvery Cancer Institute, Trichy – 0431 4077777 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 68011
