Summer Theme Park Trips: Do or Don't??

THE LURE OF THE THEME PARK - LITTLE HEARTS MATTER DISCUSSES THE RISK FOR YOUNG ADULTS WITH SINGLE VENTRICLE HEART DISEASE.

Now that the schools have broken up many of you will be off on holiday, some of you will be visiting theme parks. The LHM team are often asked if children or young adults can go on the rides, especially ones that say you shouldn't go on if you have a heart condition. As always it is very important that you ask your cardiac team what their advice for your specific condition might be but for a general overview here follows discussions with cardiologists and surgeons who have raised a couple of reasons why the rides might create an added risk for a child or young adult with only one working heart pump.
*What is Adrenaline – Adrenaline is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands during high stress or exciting situations. This powerful hormone is part of the human body's acute stress response system, also called the "fight or flight" response. It works by stimulating the heart rate, contracting blood vessels, and dilating air passages, all of which work to increase blood flow to the muscles and oxygen to the lungs.

·     The rise in adrenaline* (see below) during a scary ride makes the heart work much harder and can, even in healthy heart children, cause the heart rhythm to fluctuate. Anyone who already has a heart condition will be at a higher risk of developing arrhythmias especially as they get older.

Anyone who has undergone a Fontan procedure and who relies on the redirection of blood to the lungs may find that the rotational rides create a G force that will affect their  circulation, even if it is only for short periods of time. This may leave them breathless and cyanosed (blue).

Doctors are keen to point out that it is up to each family and young person to decide which individual rides may pose a risk but in general the rides which are scary, go upside down or very fast are usually the rides with the greatest cardiac risk.

(Courtesy of Suzie Hutchinson)

Remember... always ask for advice from your cardiologist.
LHM are here throughout the holidays if you need any advice. Call 01214558982.