Congenital Heart Disease
“Congenital heart disease” is another way to say that when you were born your heart had an issue. You might have had a tiny hole in it or something more serious. Although these can be very severe conditions, many can be handled with surgery.
Doctors may discover these issues during pregnancy in some instances. You may not have symptoms until you are adulthood, or you may not get any at all.
The problem can affect:
- the heart walls
- the blood vessels
- the heart valves
Many types of congenital heart defects exist. They may range from simple conditions that do not produce complex symptoms to severe symptoms that threaten life.
Over the previous few centuries, treatments and follow-up care for defects have dramatically enhanced, so that almost all kids with heart defects survive into adulthood. Some need constant care throughout their life for their heart defects. Yet, despite their situation, many continue to have an active and productive life.
Types of Congenital Heart Disease
1. The heart valves:
In heart valve defects, valves in the heart can close or leak that direct blood flow. This affects the ability of the heart to correctly pump blood.
2. Heart wall defects
In heart wall defects, the natural walls that exist between the left and right sides and the upper and lower chambers of the heart may not develop correctly, causing blood to back up into the heart or to build up in places where it doesn’t belong. The defect puts pressure on the heart to work harder, which may result in high blood pressure.
3. The blood vessels
The arteries and veins which carry blood to the heart and back to the body may not work properly in blood vessel defects. The blood flow can be reduced or blocked, causing several health complications.
Causes Of Congenital Heart Disease
Doctors don’t always know why a baby’s heart defect is congenital. They’re running in families. Things that are more likely to make them include:
- Problems with genes or chromosomes in children, such as Down syndrome
- During pregnancy, take certain medicines or alcohol or drug abuse
- A viral infection in the mother during the first trimester of pregnancy, like rubella (German measles).
Symptoms Of Congenital Heart Disease
A congenital heart defect is often identified during an ultrasound during pregnancy. For example, if your doctor hears an abnormal heartbeat, they may carry out certain tests to further investigate the problem. These could include an echocardiogram, an X-ray in the chest, or an MRI scan. If a diagnosis is made, your doctor will ensure that there are available during the delivery of the appropriate specialists.
In some cases, shortly after birth, the symptoms of a congenital heart defect may not appear. Newborns with heart defects may experience:
- bluish lips, skin, fingers, and toes
- trouble breathing
- difficulties in feeding
- low birth weight
- chest pain
- delayed growth
In other instances, symptoms of congenital heart defect may not occur until many years after birth. Once symptoms evolve, they may include:
- abnormal heart rhythms
- dizziness
- trouble in breathing
- fainting
- swelling
- fatigue
Diagnosis Of Congenital Heart Disease
Doctors may discover issues before a child is born. Other issues can be discovered in babies, children, or adults. The doctor is listening to your heartbeat to verify your health. If she hears an abnormal sound or heart murmur, she may order more tests, such as:
1. Echocardiogram:
There are distinct types of ultrasounds, so ask your doctor, what to expect. You can take photos of your heart.
2. Cardiac catheterization:
A doctor guides your heart via a blood vessel on your arm or leg with a very slender, supply tube (called a catheter). She brings color through the catheter to see inside your core using X-ray videos.
3. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG):
The cardiac electrical activity is measured by that.
Treatment Of Congenital Heart Disease
You may not need any therapy. Or you might need medicines, surgery, or other processes. You will need to see a heart specialist on a periodic basis if you have congenital heart disease.
People with congenital heart defects are more probable to experience inflammation of their heart’s inner layer (a disease called endocarditis by physicians), particularly if their heart has been repaired or substituted by surgery.
To protect yourself:
- If you have congenital heart disease, tell all physicians and dentists. With this information, you may want to carry a card.
- If you have infection symptoms (sore throat, general body aches, fever), call your doctor.
- To prevent infections, take excellent care of your teeth and gums. Make your dentist frequent visits.
- Before having any medical job, take antibiotics that can cause bleeding, such as dental work and most surgeries. Check the sort and quantity of antibiotics you should take with your doctor.
One of the most complicated birth defects that can trigger life-long issues is congenital heart defects. However, with prompt diagnosis and treatment, and life-long monitoring to avoid any complications, the condition can be rectified.
