Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Parenting is rarely all smooth sailing. Parenting a kid with ADHD often comes with added stressors: Managing extra health appointments. Providing lots of homework help. And helping them navigate their diagnosis. This can lead to chronic stress that may cause a ripple of health effects.
A large new study in JAMA Pediatrics shows that parents of kids with ADHD, autism, and intellectual disability are more likely than other parents to have cardiovascular disease events like heart attacks and strokes.
That risk goes up if your child has multiple neurodevelopmental disorders. Or if you have more than one child with ADHD.
We know that people with ADHD are more likely to have heart disease. So it’s important to encourage heart-healthy behaviors in your youngsters. While you’re at it, make sure you look out for your own health, too.
For a deeper dive, read Understood’s explainer: The heart health and ADHD connection understood.org/en/articles/the-heart-health-and-adhd-connection
🔗Read the full study here: doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2026.0857
Parenting is rarely all smooth sailing. Parenting a kid with ADHD often comes with added stressors: Managing extra health appointments. Providing lots of homework help. And helping them navigate their diagnosis. This can lead to chronic stress that may cause a ripple of health effects.
A large new study in JAMA Pediatrics shows that parents of kids with ADHD, autism, and intellectual disability are more likely than other parents to have cardiovascular disease events like heart attacks and strokes.
That risk goes up if your child has multiple neurodevelopmental disorders. Or if you have more than one child with ADHD.
We know that people with ADHD are more likely to have heart disease. So it’s important to encourage heart-healthy behaviors in your youngsters. While you’re at it, make sure you look out for your own health, too.
For a deeper dive, read Understood’s explainer: The heart health and ADHD connection understood.org/en/articles/the-heart-health-and-adhd-connection
🔗Read the full study here: doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2026.0857
