Can cardiovascular disease affect children?

Cardiovascular disease can affect anyone at any time. However, it is more common among those who are older. Lifestyle and behavior choices such as physical activity, diet, smoking, and obesity are patterns children develop early in life and are modeled by their parents, families, and schools. Risk and specific conditions that contribute to developing cardiovascular disease begin at an early age. As adults, you should set an example of a healthy lifestyle for children to follow, and thus reduce their risk of developing cardiovascular disease.