I recieved the following and even though I normally don’t do things like this, I figured it was important enough – crucial even – to share it with you.  Especially given that I personally suffer from ADHD and Heart Problems. That’s what this is about – ADHD and Heart Problems.

Andrew,

I thought I would reach out to you because you get information to a key audience that needs to know about an important new program called CompuMed Inc. CardioGramKids; Pediatric Screening Program.  We’re encouraging parents of children or teenagers who are about to take or who already take psychotropic drugs to get the kids to a pediatrician or family doctor for a screening EKG heart test.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety warning recently about stimulant medications in children which referenced a possible association between the use of stimulant medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, known as ADHD, and sudden cardiac death in healthy children.  It referenced a study just published in the American Journal of Psychiatry  The FDA also warned parents that they should not stop a child’s stimulant medication based on the study.

Moms and Dads are not always aware of the potential side affects of certain drugs and that’s why we are launching this important parental education program.  Children taking these medications are at risk of developing serious or life threatening cardiac conditions and should have ECG screenings prior to starting on these medications.  We want parents to ask important questions about pre-screening their kids, which could save children’s lives.

The American Heart Association and other leading groups have expressed concern regarding reports of sudden deaths of children and adolescents treated with psychotropic medications such as Ritalin®, Adderall®, Prozac®, Paxil® and others.  Medical journals have long stated concerns regarding the appropriateness of such therapy without taking suitable safeguards.

We launched the CardioGramKids program six months ago in conjunction with a renowned university and others are signing up for our program expressing concerns about their pediatric patients and psychotropic drugs.  For this reason, we decided to launch the parent program even earlier than planned because of the problems associated in children taking these medications.  The the new study suggests that doctors throughout the country pay more attention to the risk factors of heart disease in children and encourage parents to demand EKG screenings for any children who may be at risk.

Many specialties including pediatrics, primary care and psychiatry in the U.S. are likely to see young patients who might need psychotropic drugs.  A bill likely to pass in Oregon will allow psychologist to prescribe them as well.  According to a 2008 report in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, approximately 6.7 percent of children in the U.S. are taking these medications for emotional and behavioral problems like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, commonly referred to as ADHD.  CompuMed’s CardioGramKids will enable physicians and psychologists to screen the children in their care.

The FDA safety communication goes on to say, “That physicians follow the current prescribing information (labeling) for these products, which recommends that children, adolescents or adults who are being considered for treatment with ADHD drug products work with their health care professional(s) to develop a treatment plan that includes a careful health history for cardiovascular disease in the child and his or her family. This includes performing a physical exam with special focus on the cardiovascular system and consideration of further tests such as a screening electrocardiogram and echocardiogram, if the history or examination suggests underlying risk for or the presence of heart disease.”

For more information about CarioGramKids, give me a call at 310-313-3444 and I can put you in touch with someone who can tell you more or visit the web site www.compumed.net.

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