Heart Check ups for children with ADHD

The following link provides information regarding a recent recommendation by the American Heart Association that children who are taking (or are considering taking) stimulant medications to treat this condition, be screened for heart problems.  Apparently children with heart conditions are 3x more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD, and stimulant medications may cause additional stress on the heart.  For more information visit:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24244468/

Excellent article. I was blown away by the statistics that 2.5 million kids are on medication for ADHD. When he was younger we had our son (who is now older) on Ritalin. We stopped using the medication after a couple of weeks as it just seemed that he was not the same (very placid, too much so) and we just did not feel right about. However lately he has become incredibly difficult to keep focused and is all over the place. I do not want to medicate again, but I am at my wits end trying to figure out what to do.

Are there any studies/real information on the long term use of Ritalin. Our pediatrician also suggested Adderall but I was not familiar with that particular drug. As the article mentions, I am just so uncomfortable with giving medication and really worry about the side affects.