News Resources  Gene Variation Impacts Lipid Profile  Cholesterol Drop May Mean Alzheimers  Calcium Enhances Weight Loss Benefits  Air Pollution and Heart Health  Smoking Addiction Mapped to Brain Region  Alcohol Decreases Risk of Heart Attack  Gut Bacteria Help Determine Body Weight  Number of Prostate Biopsies Could Reduce  Dark chocolate lowers cholesterol  Stents increase risks for blood clots  Folic acid ineffective in reducing heart disease  FDA implements new device monitoring strategies  Daily weigh in promotes long-term weight loss  Smoking linked to aspirin resistance  Psoriasis increases heart attack risk  Stanol-heavy diet lowers cholesterol  Exercise improves breast cancer survival  Cranberry juice antibiotic alternative  Blood pressure drugs reduce diabetes risk  FDA approves artificial heart  Starbucks Staff Saves A Life  Gene Associated with Heart Risk  Sleep Disorders and Heart Disease Linked  New Test Detects Oral Cancer  Americans Don't Screen for Cancer  Genetics Determine Coffee’s Effect on Heart Health  New Heart Functions Emerge  Growth of New Arteries  Downplay Heart Disease  Noise Increases Heart Risk  Heart Attack Symptom  Roller Coaster Heart Risk  Decaffeinated Heart Risk  Growing Blood Vessels  Stroke Risk Increases  Defibrillators Used Effectively  Stem Cells Benefit Heart  Childhood Growth Key  Canadian Hospital Succeeds  AIDS Virus Home Test  Smokers Fail to Quit  Air Pollution Heart Attack Risk  U.S. Obesity Problem  Virtual Driving Helps  Dogs Help Weight Loss  Heart Attack Treatment  Improve Cardiovascular Health  Surgeon Experience Important  Stem Cells Implanted in Heart  Bypass Adds to Alzheimer Risk  Genes Linked to Stroke  Statins Reduce Mortality  Heart Disease Declines in UK  Polyunsaturated Fat Benefits  Women's Exercise Levels  Air Pollutants  Gene Therapy Improves  Death Risk Highest  Technology Helps Transplants  Robotics Helps Stroke Victims  Nuts Help Men's Hearts  CPR: Chest Compressions Key  Improve Cognitive Dysfunction  Aspirin Improves Recovery  Stem Cell Study Launched  PET Scan Effective in Diagnosis  Laughter Improves Blood  Small Diameter Arteries  Cardiovascular Risk Factors  Reduce Stroke Risk  Breakfast Offers Benefits  Arthritis & Heart Disease  Air Pollution & Heart Disease  Heart Pumps for Children  AHA: Cardiac Rehab Programs  Study: Aspirin Underutilized  Stroke Awareness  Recent Media Coverage

Childhood Growth Key to Heart Risk

The Oregon Health and Science University team found small babies who later gained weight quickly from two to 11 years had an increased risk coronary heart disease later in life. Researchers said the issue was more than just being overweight at a given age. Experts noted the problem was the muscle to fat ratio in the children.

Lead author David Barker said: "This study demonstrates for the first time that growth patterns before birth, after birth, and into childhood reveal a risk of coronary heart disease later in life.

The team studied growth histories of 7,760 people born in Finland from 1934 to 1944, the New England Journal of Medicine reported. Childhood growth, including weight and height, was recorded once a month for the first two years and then annually up to age 11.

Researchers found no relationship between body mass index - weight in relation to height - and disease at age two. But by age 11 a strong pattern of increasing BMI indicated up to a 33% increased risk of heart disease as an adult. Researchers said to avoid the risk mothers should ensure they have a balanced diet before conception and during pregnancy to prevent rapid weight gain after the age of two.