The American Heart Association (AHA) has issued updated recommendations regarding the use of stimulant drugs to treat ADHD.  Due to potential for cardiac changes with stimulant use, the AHA recommends that all children with ADHD should have an electrocardiogram before starting the stimulant medications.  If a child with ADHD is currently taking stimulant medication, an electrocardiogram should be performed.

Reference:  Victoria L. Vetter, Josephine Elia, Christopher Erickson, Stuart Berger, Nathan Blum, Karen Uzark, and Catherine L. Webb Cardiovascular Monitoring of Children and Adolescents With Heart Disease Receiving Stimulant Drugs. A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young Congenital Cardiac Defects Committee and the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing

Circulation published April 21, 2008, doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.189473

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