Heart Abnormalities at Birth: An Overview of Varieties, Symptoms, and Origin Factors
In the United States, nearly one in every 100 babies is born with a congenital heart defect (CHD), making it the most common form of congenital heart disease. These heart abnormalities can vary greatly, with types classified based on the part of the heart they affect.
Adults living with CHD often experience a range of symptoms, including shortness of breath, fatigue, heart palpitations or rapid/irregular heartbeat, swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, or abdomen, chest pain or discomfort, and dizziness or fainting. These symptoms can vary depending on the specific type and severity of the heart defect.
Complications associated with CHD in adults can be severe. Heart failure, characterised by persistent shortness of breath, swelling (edema), tiredness, and chest pain, potentially worsening with physical activity or lying flat, is a common complication. Adults with CHD may also be more susceptible to frequent respiratory infections. Cyanosis, a bluish coloration of the skin, lips, or nails, may occasionally be present if oxygenation is impaired, although it is more common in infants.
To diagnose CHDs, various methods can be used, including fetal echocardiography before birth and electrocardiogram, echocardiography, X-ray, and pulse oximetry after birth. With advancements in medical technology, researchers are investigating the use of bioengineered tissues instead of prostheses and fixing problems in the developing heart before birth.
After surgery, some people with CHD may experience irregular heart rhythm, dizziness, fainting, swelling, breathlessness, fatigue, or arrhythmias. Acyanotic congenital heart disease, for instance, can cause breathlessness, especially during physical activity, and a slow growth rate and low body weight in infants. Approximately half of the infants with a CHD require surgery during their first year of life.
Despite these challenges, medical and technological advances mean that most people with CHDs survive into adulthood. A surgeon may use a balloon valvuloplasty to repair a valve in a CHD. Complications of CHD can include developmental problems, arrhythmias, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, endocarditis, stroke, and liver disease or diabetes.
To reduce the risk of complications, it is recommended to maintain a healthful diet, engage in regular exercise, take necessary medications, follow the doctor's advice, discuss precautions during pregnancy, and recognise warning signs of a heart attack. By managing their condition effectively, adults with CHD can lead fulfilling lives.
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