Heart health

The foundations for a healthy heart are laid as early as childhood. Whether it’s diet, exercise or recognising warning signs, parents can play a big part in ensuring their child’s heart develops healthily. But what really matters in everyday life? When should potential heart symptoms in children be taken seriously? What tests are available in paediatric cardiology? We answer these and other questions about children’s heart health.

Suddenly, your heart starts beating faster. Your pulse quickens, your breathing changes and sometimes you feel a tightness in your chest. Many people are familiar with such situations – for example, when they are very excited, under stress or after a fright.


Particularly if these symptoms recur, you may wonder: is there something wrong with my heart? Stress is not just a feeling. The body reacts to it in exactly the same way. The cardiovascular system is activated and the body prepares itself for increased physical exertion. It is no coincidence that there are expressions such as ‘my heart stops’ or ‘my heart is in my throat’. They describe physical reactions that can actually occur. But what exactly happens in the body? And why does stress sometimes feel like a heart problem? Read on to find out how psychological strain affects the heart and when it is advisable to seek medical advice.