Recommendations for Cardiac Screening of Pediatric ADHD/ADD Patients
The American Heart Association(AHA) has recommended that all Pediatric patients with the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD who are on or who will be put on stimulant medications (Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate, Adderall, Daytrana, Focalin, Vyvanse and Strattera) may need to have an electrocardiogram (ECG) to screen for cardiovascular diseases that place patients at risk for sudden cardiac death. While the overall cardiac risk for pediatric and adolescent patients remains small, two major Pediatric Cardiology groups in Atlanta (Sibley Heart Center and Children’s Cardiovascular Medicine, PC) have recommended that these guidelines be followed. Carterville Pediatric Associates will now require that all current ADHD/ADD patients will need to have a “Sudden Cardiac Death Risk Assessment” questionnaire filled out within the next 6 months and if needed (based on the questionnaire) obtain an ECG. New ADHD/ADD patients will have a questionnaire filled out at the time of their office evaluation and if needed an ECG done within one month of starting medication. If any questions, please call the office. |
