My Heart’s in Bogalusa
Reported October 24, 2005
NEW ORLEANS (Ivanhoe Broadcast News) — Heart disease is a leading killer of Americans, but it isn’t something just adults need to worry about. Extensive research shows just how damaging our overeating and sedentary lifestyles are to kids.
The paper mill town of Bogalusa is the home and heart of 13,000 Louisianans. It’s also home to one of the most influential studies in the world. At the headquarters of the Bogalusa heart study, where the only digital toy is a blood pressure machine, 16,000 people have had their hearts and health studied since 1973.
Gerald Berenson, M.D., a cardiologist at Tulane University in New Orleans, is studying the first bi-racial research on heart disease risk factors beginning in childhood. He says, “From our studies, 90 percent of the population above the age of 30 already has significant coronary artery disease.” Results also show obese kids have enlarged left ventricles as young adults. High blood pressure or cholesterol as a kid means hardened arteries at age 30. Without those risks, kids are less likely to have heart disease and diabetes as adults.
“One of the first things people have to understand is that they have to develop healthy lifestyles,” Dr. Berenson says. Simply recognizing when you might be in trouble also helps. Bridget Russell has been in the study since age 5. She says, “I think it’s a great opportunity to be in it and be a part of something that for generations will be studied.” In fact, the folks in Bogalusa will be studied for life.
Researchers are now studying how the different risk factors affect the aging process. The study started in Bogalusa, in part, because that is where Dr. Berenson grew up. He is now living elsewhere in Louisiana since hurricane Katrina struck the region but will continue his research as soon as he’s able.