Congenital Heart Disease: What You Should Know

Congenital heart disease involves defects in your heart’s structure; it can be a problem with your heart walls, vessels, or valves. The condition is present from birth and can last through their entire life without being treated. The diseases under this category vary from simple to complex complications featuring life-threatening symptoms. This article features the essential information you need about congenital heart disease awareness and the signs associated with this condition.

What are the Symptoms of Congenital Heart Disease?

Congenital heart defects are mainly detected before childbirth, where the doctor may observe an abnormal heartbeat in the unborn child. By performing specific tests, they can confirm the defects and their severity. An MRI scan, chest X-ray, and echocardiogram are good examples of health specialists’ tests to identify congenital disabilities. A specialist is necessary when those diagnosed deliver their children to ensure the process is smooth.

Although the diagnosis is made pre-birth, the symptoms may delay showing after birth. Some of the physical defects to expect in newborns suffering from congenital heart diseases are as follows:

• Bluish skin, fingers, lips, and toes
• Feeding difficulties
• Chest pains
• Trouble breathing
• Stunted growth

In some patients, the symptoms begin showing years after birth. These symptoms appear at older ages and gradually increase in severity, and they may include:

• Fainting
• Dizziness
• Swelling
• Fatigue
• Abnormal heart rhythms

Types of Congenital Heart Disease

Septal Defects

Have you ever heard of a diagnosis referred to as a hole in the heart? Septal defects involve having a hole between the two chambers of your heart, causing health complications. It is among the most common types of heart defects, and several specialists can offer practical solutions to the condition.

Coarctation of the Aorta

Another heart complication is the coarctation of the aorta. Patients suffering from this condition have health complications because of a narrow aorta. The aorta is the main artery in the human heart; it is responsible for blood circulation in the body. If thinner than expected, you may experience severe heart complications.

Underdeveloped Heart

An underdeveloped heart is another congenital heart disease diagnosed among patients suffering from this complication. In this scenario, your heart does not develop as it should, making it incompetent to support adequate blood circulation. If your heart is underdeveloped, it is difficult to pump sufficient blood to your lungs and back.

Can You Treat Congenital Heart Disease?

Whether you can treat congenital heart disease or not significantly depends on the diagnosis of your condition and which defect you may be suffering from. Minor defects like septal complications do not require surgery as they improve with time, while surgery is necessary for more complicated defects. Most heart defects are treatable using modern surgical techniques restoring normal functioning.

The symptoms mentioned are some of the common signs to be on the lookout for in congenital heart disease patients. Congenital heart disease awareness is necessary to help handle these patients and improve their environment. Your health practitioner can provide helpful information and advice to help improve your situation, since they are more experienced in the medical field.