Exercise tests are safe for young patients with a heart condition, even those awaiting a heart transplant, according to recent research at The Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado. Exercise tests give doctors different information about the heart’s functioning than tests done with the patient at rest. In adults, a test of heart and lung efficiency during exercise is often a major factor in deciding who should get a life-saving organ.

However, the new findings, published recently in Pediatric Cardiology, suggest that children should continue to be evaluated differently. Heart conditions are fairly common in children about 1 in 100 babies has some kind of congenital heart defect. In very serious cases, where treatment with drugs and corrective surgery have failed or been ruled out, surgeons may have to transplant a healthy heart into an infant, child, or adolescent patient.

Although not a cure, transplants allow children to live much longer, healthier lives. Unfortunately there are always more children waiting for transplants than there are donors. In adults, the cut-off value is 14 mL O2/kg/min; patients scoring below that value usually join the heart transplant waiting list because extensive studies have shown that they can not survive long without a new heart. In children, a patient’s priority is related to a judgement of her current heart function, her future chances without a transplant, and other health factors. Once a donor is found, heart size and blood type come into the decision as well.

You're tired. You're gaining weight. You may not feel your best. Although most of the time these symptoms are normal during pregnancy, exercise may help provide some relief. Becoming active and exercising at least 30 minutes on most, if not all, days of the week can benefit your health. For more details visit www.soundbodytrainer.com