ECG Urged Before Giving ADHD Drugs

Children should be tested for heart problems before being treated with drugs such as Ritalin, the American Heart Association (AHA) says. The new guidance applies to children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Drugs used to treat ADHD can increase blood pressure. They also can speed up the heart. In someone with a heart condition, this could cause the heart to stop. The AHA says kids should have an exam and an electrocardiogram before drugs are prescribed. The Associated Press wrote about the statement April 22. It was published in the journal Circulation.