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# Do ADHD meds put kids at risk for heart problems?
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/adhd_0518110705/
- Published: 2011-05-17T08:04:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:20:03.000Z
- Description: A study of more than 241,000 children on ADHD medication and 965,000 nonusers found no statistically significant difference in validated sudden death or ventricular arrhythmia, and no heart attacks among users. The authors could not completely rule out an association.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Disease, Health News, #vivvo-import

by Aimee Keenan-Greene

Heart problems are not a concern for kids who take prescription medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), says the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says in 2007 approximately 5.4 million children, or 9.5 percent of kids aged 4-17, had at some point had a diagnosis of ADHD.

This new study just published online today appears in the June 2011 issue of Pediatrics. 

Scientists looked at data from more that 241,000 children ages 3-17 on ADHD medications, as well as 965,000 nonusers. 

The report, "Severe Cardiovascular Events and Death in Children and Adolescents Exposed to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Medications,” by Hedi Schelleman, PhD, et al, showed no statistically significant difference between users and nonusers in the rate of validated sudden death or ventricular arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). 

No myocardial infarctions (heart attacks) were identified in the medication users. 

There were 142 hospital claims of stroke in all, but none of these could be validated in follow-ups with the hospitals. However, the authors could not completely rule out an association between the medications and increased rates of these events.