When it comes to your child's health, do you think much about their risks for developing heart disease? Probably not, since so much of keeping kids healthy means dealing with sore throats, scraped knees and other ailments. But recent research has prompted doctors and parents to take a second look at heart health in children.

Evidence shows that daily habits needed to help prevent heart trouble in the future have more impact if learned and followed early in life. Here are some everyday practices that will help you and your kids live a heart-healthy lifestyle.

1. Eat well. Your family will benefit from a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, veggies and whole grains, lean meats, reduced-fat dairy products, beans and legumes. In fact, good nutrition is among the best ways to prevent most cardiovascular disease, which includes heart attacks and stroke. Be sure to limit ultra-processed foods that generally are high in sugar and saturated fats — two leading enemies of heart health.

2. Stay active. Whether families get their workouts from organized sports, active play, household chores or biking and walking instead of driving, it's all good! The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids over age 6 get at least 60 minutes of vigorous exercise each day.

3. Maintain a healthy weight. Carrying extra pounds makes our hearts work harder, which can lead to damage of the heart muscles. Higher body weight may also lead to high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes – all of which are linked to heart disease. The good news: Eating well and exercising often can help you maintain a body mass index (BMI) under 25, the recommended level for good heart health.

4. Keep an eye on cholesterol. Cholesterol, the sticky, fatty buildup that can clog arteries, makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the body. A heart-healthy diet in childhood can set the stage for lower cholesterol levels in adulthood. Cholesterol screening also plays a role. The AAP recommends that children with no family history of heart disease should have cholesterol tests between ages 9 and 12. However, if your child has close relatives – such as a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle - with coronary heart disease or high cholesterol they developed before age 50, screening for lipids can start as early as age 2.

5. Minimize stress. As a parent, you are no stranger to everyday pressure. But your child will notice and benefit if you make it a habit to unplug and relax. Chronic stress can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, boosting risks for heart attack, heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. So, take good care of yourself and encourage your children to do the same.

6. Prioritize healthy sleep. Travel, seasonal changes, screen time, and demanding sports or school schedules can disrupt your child's sleep. Regardless, it is crucial to create a solid foundation for regular rest. The amount of sleep that you and your child should get varies on age, but a good rule is the more the better.

7. Don't smoke. Tobacco use is a known cause of heart disease, stroke, and hypertension for smokers and people who live with them. Second-hand smoke harms your child's health in many ways and encourages them to think smoking is OK. Though it is hard to quit, getting and keeping tobacco out of your life will improve your well-being and your child's long-term health.

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Christopher S. Snyder, MD, FAAP, past Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section on Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, is Director of Pediatric Cardiology with the Children's Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Snyder is also a member of the Virginia AAP chapter.

Brad McQuilkin, MD, FAAP is a member of the AAP Section on Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery and a pediatric cardiologist with the Children's Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. McQuilkin is a member of the Virginia AAP chapter as well.

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