WHAT IS CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Congenital heart disease  is having one or more abnormalities in the heart's structure that a person is  born with.This most common of birth defects can alter the way blood flows through the heart. Defects range from simple, which might cause no problems, to complex, which can cause life-threatening complications.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Some common congenital heart disease symptoms one might have as an adult include:

• Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)

• A bluish tint to the skin, lips and fingernails (cyanosis)

• Shortness of breath

• Exertion and exhaustion

• Swelling of body tissue or organs (edema)

CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS FOR CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Certain environmental and genetic risk factors might play a role :

• German measles (suffered by mother during pregnancy)

• Diabetes (suffered by mother during pregnancy)

• Certain medications ( taken by mother during pregnancy)

• Smoking ( by mother during pregnancy)

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

To determine whether a person has a type of congenital heart disease or if the congenital heart defect is causing recent health problems, the doctor will take a medical history and conduct a physical exam, including listening to the person’s heart with a stethoscope.

Certain tests such as Electrocardiogram (ECG), Chest X-ray, Echocardiogram, Pulse oximetry, Stress Tests, Cardiac CT scan or MRI, Cardiac catheterization, et cetera shall be conducted.

Depending on the severity of congenital heart disease, treatment might be aimed at correcting the congenital heart defect or dealing with complications caused by the defect.

The treatment might include:

• Watchful waiting ( in minor heart defects)

• Medications

• Implantable heart devices

• Special procedures using catheters

• Open-heart surgery, if catheter procedures fail

• Heart transplant,  if a serious heart defect can't be repaired

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

When to see a doctor

If  a person is having worrisome symptoms, such as chest pain or shortness of breath he or she must consult a doctor.

Complications

Congenital heart disease complications that might develop years after the initial treatment include:

• Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)

• Heart infection (endocarditis)

• Stroke

• Heart failure

• Pulmonary hypertension

• Heart valve problems

Congenital heart disease and Pregnancy

A successful pregnancy is possible if the mother has  congenital heart disease, especially if the defect happens to be mild. However, some women with complex congenital heart defects shall be  advised against pregnancy. Plan accordingly.

The doctor might suggest genetic counseling too.

Follow-up care 

In case a person have had  congenital heart disease, even if  he or she had surgery as a child, is at risk of developing complications. So it's important to avail lifelong follow-up care.

Ideally, a cardiologist trained in treating adults with congenital heart defects will manage follow up care.