All heart disease begin in childhood and, therefore, preventive measures needs to be started at that.

Two major problems of childhood are pre-hypertension and obesity and if they can be tackled well in time, future heart diseases can be prevented. Pre-hypertension is a blood pressure of more than 120/80
and lower than 140/90 mmHg.

Bogalusa Heart Study was the first study to give a message that coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension and heart disease all begin in childhood. It was the longest and most detailed
study of a bi-racial population of children and young adults in the world. 27% of young adults were found to have pre-hypertension while only 13% had true high blood pressure.

School health programmes in India must focus on checking the blood pressure of children regarding their obesity status. Both can be controlled by promoting regular exercise and proper diet. A diet high
in trans fat and refined carbohydrates like maida, sugar and rice promote obesity and pre-hypertension both.