Congenital Heart Disease

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Congenital heart disease is a type of defect or abnormality in one or more structures of the heart or blood vessels that occurs before birth.
This defect occurs when the fetus develops in the womb and affects 80-10 of every 1,000 children.
bawaanl heart defects may produce symptoms at birth, during childhood, and sometimes not until adulthood.
Approximately 500,000 adults in the U.S. suffer from congenital heart disease.

What Causes Congenital Heart Disease?
In some people, the causes of congenital heart disease is unknown. However, there are several factors associated with an increased chance of getting congenital heart disease. Risk factors include:

Genetic or chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome in children.
Using certain drugs or alcohol or drug abuse during pregnancy.
Maternal viral infections, such as rubella (German measles) in the first trimester of pregnancy.
The risk of having a child with congenital heart disease is higher if a parent or sibling has a congenital heart defect - increase the risk of eight in 1000 to 16 in 1000.

What type of Congenital Heart Problems Are There?
The most common heart defects are:

Heart valve defect. Narrowing or stenosis of valves or complete closure of inhibiting or blocking blood flow to the front. Other valve defects include leaky valves that do not close properly and allow blood to leak backward.
Defects in the wall between the atria and ventricles of the heart (atrial and ventricular septal defect). These defects allow oxygen and unoxygenated abnormal mixing of blood between the right and left heart.
Abnormalities of the heart muscle that can lead to heart failure.
What Are the Symptoms of Congenital Heart Disease in Adults?
Congenital heart disease can be diagnosed before birth, after birth, during childhood, or not until adulthood. It is possible to have a defect and no symptoms at all. In adults, if symptoms are present, they may include:

Shortness of breath.
Limited ability to exercise.
How is Congenital Heart Disease Diagnosed?
Congenital heart disease is often first detected when a doctor you hear abnormal heart sounds or heart murmur when listening to your heart.

Depending on the type of doctor you hear a murmur, he may order further testing such as:

    Echocardiogram or transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)
    Cardiac catheterization
    Chest X-ray
    Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
    MRI

How is Congenital Heart Disease Treated?

Treatment is based on the severity of congenital heart disease. Some mild heart defect does not require any treatment. Others can be treated with medication, procedure, or surgery. Most adults with congenital heart disease should be monitored by a heart specialist and take measures to prevent endocarditis (a serious infection of the heart valves) throughout their lives.

How can I prevent endocarditis?
Those who have congenital heart disease have an increased risk for endocarditis, even if the heart is repaired or replaced through surgery. To protect yourself:

Tell all doctors and dentists you have congenital heart disease. You may want to bring the card with this information.
Call your doctor if you have symptoms of infection (sore throat, general body aches, fever).
Caring for your teeth and gums to prevent infection. See your dentist for regular visits.
Antibiotics according to the American Heart Association guidelines before you undergo any procedure that may cause bleeding, such as dental work (even basic dental cleaning), invasive tests (each test which may involve blood or bleeding), and most or minor surgery. Check with your doctor about the type and amount of antibiotics that you should take.
Congenital heart defects in Children
There are several congenital heart defects are detected and treated in early childhood. Most of them are abnormal connections between veins and arteries, and blood vessels (such as the aorta and arteries of the lungs). This connection can allow normal unoxygenated blood flow to the body, not to the lungs, allowing oxygen or blood flow to the lungs instead of to the body. They can also cause heart failure. Some examples of congenital heart disease in infants and children include: 
  • Patent ductus arteriosus (when blood bypasses the lungs preventing oxygen to circulate throughout the body). 
  • Tetralogy of Fallot (four different heart defects that occur together). 
  • Transposition of great arteries (the blood from the left side of the heart and liver mixed with the right side because of the large arterial connections are not correct). 
  • Aortic coarctation (aortic pinch). 
  • Heart Valve Problems

What Are the Symptoms of Congenital Heart Disease in Infants and Children?
Symptoms of congenital heart disease in infants and children include:
  • Cyanosis (a bluish color of the skin, nails, and lips). 
  • Rapid breathing and poor eating. 
  • Less weight. 
  • Recurrent lung infections. 
  • Inability to exercise.
How is Congenital Heart Defects in Children Treated?
Most of the congenital heart defect will require surgery or interventional procedures to correct the problem. Often children with congenital heart disease will also require treatment with drugs to improve heart function as well.

Children and adults with congenital heart disease should be treated by a cardiologist specializing in congenital heart disease. Several types of diseases may require a team approach as the child grows into adulthood.

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