Dr Rajneesh Kapoor at the health camp on Sunday. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Children should undergo echocardiography test to prevent heart attacks at an early age.

During a free health camp at Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir on Sunday, Dr Rajneesh Kapoor, director of interventional cardiology at Medanta Heart Institute, Gurgaon, said: “Many a time, parents don’t know about their children’s heart diseases because they don’t show necessary symptoms. It is, therefore, recommended that every parent gets the echocardiography (commonly known as echo) test done on their children as it helps detect the disease at an early stage.”

The test, which takes around half-an-hour, usually costs Rs 2,000.

Kapoor said: “The incidents of congenital heart diseases among children in Bihar is higher than other states. There are two types of congenital heart diseases — cyanotic congenital heart disease and non-cyanotic congenital heart disease. Children suffering from the former develop symptoms for which the colour of their lips and tongues turns blue. Children suffering from the latter become tired while playing. If parents find these symptoms among their children, they should immediately consult a doctor and get the echocardiography test done.”

He added: “Non-cyanotic congenital heart disease results in formation of holes in the heart of the patient. Children with this disease usually don’t show any symptoms till the age of 15. It becomes difficult for the parents to understand their problems.”

The expert cardiologist advised that it was important for every parent to get the necessary tests done on their kids. “After a certain period, congenital heart diseases become untreatable and even surgery can’t be of much help to the patients, who have reached the advanced stage,” he said.