Area children take part in Cardio for Kids

February 17, 2019

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus Cardiovascular Care center hosted “Cardio for Kids” Saturday morning.

Area children were able to attend the event and learn what to do during an emergency situation as well as how to make healthy decisions.

The kids learned how to properly perform C-P-R as well as how to administer an A-E-D kit.

Doctors also want the kids to know that sometimes emergency situations can be avoided altogether.

“If we start early and we create habits early, we carry them on into adulthood and we can lower their risk for heart disease,” said 2nd year Internal Medicine resident Chadwick Mayes.

Mayes said heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in women, men, and even children.

“Children can have heart disease as early as ten years old. We want to make sure that they are getting out and especially in this day and age where there’s so much technology and so much on the TV and so much on the iPad–that children are re-engaging with exercise outside, doing recess, playing sports at least 30 minutes a day five days a week in order to keep their heart healthy,” said Mayes.

Doctors say the responsibility of living a healthy lifestyle falls on the parent.

“Eating habits are also one of the biggest problems. Kids learn from adults. So, whatever adults are eating, kids are probably going to eat the same thing,” said cardiologist Dr. Julius Kato.

The event also featured a message from retired Columbus police officer Keith Worshaim about the importance of saying no to drugs.

“Life is a decision, you have to make the right one to make it through life. You can make the right one or you can make the wrong one. If you make the wrong one, you’ve got to adjust and come back to the good side,” said Worshaim.

At the end of the day, doctors want the kids to understand the importance of having a healthy heart.

“You only have one life to live. Live it to your fullest. If you mess with your heart, you’re going to be gone,” said Kato.

February is also known as National Heart Month.