Description

Congenital heart disease of one or more problems with the heart's structure that are present at birth. Congenital means you are born with the disease. A congenital heart condition can change the way blood flows through the heart.

There are many different types of congenital heart defects. This article focuses on the congenital heart disease in adults.

Some types of congenital heart disease may be mild. Others can cause life-threatening complications. The advances in the diagnosis and treatment have improved the survival of those born with a heart problem.

The treatment for congenital heart disease may include regular medical checkups, medications, or surgery. If you have adult congenital heart disease, ask your healthcare provider how often you need a checkup.

Symptoms

Some people are born with a heart problem don't notice any symptoms until later in life. The symptoms can recur years after a birth defect of the heart it is.

Common symptoms of congenital heart disease in adults include:

  • Irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias.
  • The blue or the gray skin, the lips and fingernails due to low levels of oxygen. Depending on the color of the skin, these changes may be more difficult or more easy to see.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • The feeling of fatigue very quickly with the activity.
  • The swelling due to fluid that accumulates in the interior of the body's tissues, called edema.

When to see a doctor

Get emergency medical help if you have pain, chest pain, or shortness of breath.

Make an appointment for a health checkup if:

  • You have symptoms of adult congenital heart disease.
  • He received treatment for a congenital heart defect as a child.

Causes

The researchers are not sure what causes most types of congenital heart disease. They think that the changes in the genes, certain medications or health conditions and environmental or lifestyle factors, such as smoking, may play a role.

Risk factors

Risk factors for congenital heart disease include:

  • Genetics. Congenital heart disease appears to run in families, which means that it is hereditary. Changes in the genes that have been related to problems with the heart present at birth. For example, people with Down syndrome are often born with heart disease.
  • German measles, also called rubeola. Having rubella during pregnancy can affect how the heart of the baby as it grows in the womb. A blood test before pregnancy you can find out if you are immune to rubella. A vaccine is available for those who are not immune.
  • Diabetes. Having type 1 or type 2 diabetes during pregnancy can also change the shape in the heart of the baby as it grows in the womb. Gestational diabetes usually does not increase the risk of congenital heart disease.
  • Drugs. Taking certain medications during pregnancy can cause congenital heart disease and other health problems are present at birth. Drugs linked to congenital heart defects include lithium (Lithobid) for bipolar disorder and isotretinoin (Claravis, Myorisan, others), which is used to treat acne. Always tell your health care team about all the medicines you take.
  • The consumption of Alcohol. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy has been linked to heart disease in the baby.
  • The habit of smoking. If you smoke, stop smoking. Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of congenital heart defects in the baby.

Complications

Complications of congenital heart disease can occur years after the condition of the heart it is.

Complications of congenital heart disease in adults include:

  • Irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias. Scar tissue in the heart of surgeries to correct a congenital heart condition can lead to changes in the heart of signaling. The changes can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow or irregular. Some irregular beats of the heart can cause stroke or sudden cardiac death if not treated.
  • The infection of the heart lining and valves of the heart called endocarditis. Without treatment, this infection can damage or destroy heart valves or cause a stroke. Antibiotics may be recommended before dental care to prevent this infection. Regular dental checkups are important. Healthy gums and teeth to reduce the risk of endocarditis.
  • Stroke. Congenital heart disease, you can leave a clot of blood that passes through the heart and travel to the brain, causing a stroke.
  • High blood pressure in the arteries of the lung called pulmonary hypertension. Some diseases of the heart present at birth, sending more blood to the lungs, causing a buildup of pressure. This eventually causes the heart muscle to weaken and sometimes fail.
  • Heart failure. The heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.

Adult congenital heart disease and pregnancy

It is possible to have a successful pregnancy with mild congenital heart disease. A health care provider may tell you not to get pregnant if you have complex congenital heart disease.

Before getting pregnant, talk with your health care team about the possible risks and complications. Together, you can discuss and plan any special care needed during pregnancy.

Prevention

Because the exact cause of most congenital heart disease is unknown, it may not be possible to prevent heart disease. Some types of congenital heart disease occur in families. If you have a high risk of giving birth to a child with a congenital heart defect, genetic testing and screening can be done during pregnancy.

Diagnosis

To diagnose congenital heart disease in adults, your health care professional examines and listen to your heart with a stethoscope. Normally you have questions about your symptoms and medical and family history.

Tests

Tests are done to check the heart health and the appearance of other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

The tests to diagnose or confirm the congenital heart disease in adults include:

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG). This quick test records the electrical activity of the heart. It is shown how the heart is beating. Adhesive patches with sensors called electrodes attached to the chest and sometimes the arms or legs. The cables connect the patches to a computer, that prints or displays the results. An ECG can help to diagnose irregular heart rhythms.
  • X-ray of the chest. An x-ray of the chest shows the condition of the heart and the lungs. You can determine if the heart is enlarged or if the lungs have an excess of blood or other fluid. These could be signs of heart failure.
  • Pulse oximetry. A sensor that is placed at the tip of the fingers of the records of the amount of oxygen in the blood. Very little oxygen can be a sign of a heart or the lungs.
  • The echocardiogram.An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create images of the beating heart. Shows how blood flows through the heart and the heart valves. An echocardiogram standard that takes pictures of the heart from the outside of the body. If a standard echocardiogram does not give as many details as necessary, a health professional can make a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). This test gives a detailed look at the heart and the body's main artery, called the aorta. A t-SHIRT creates images of the heart from the inside of the body. On many occasions is done to examine the aortic valve.
  • The stress tests. These tests often involve walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike while the activity of the heart is activated. Exercise tests can show how the heart responds to physical activity. If you can't do the exercise, you may receive medicines that affect the heart as the exercise you do. An echocardiogram may be done during an exercise stress test.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging of the heart. A heart of magnetic resonance imaging, also called a cardiac mri, may be done to diagnose it and look at the congenital heart disease. The test creates 3D images of the heart, which allows accurate measurement of the heart chambers.
  • The cardiac catheterization. In this test, a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel, usually in the area of the groin, and guided by the heart. This test can provide detailed information on the flow of the blood and how the heart works. Certain heart treatments can be done during cardiac catheterization.

The echocardiogram. An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create images of the beating heart. Shows how blood flows through the heart and the heart valves. An echocardiogram standard that takes pictures of the heart from the outside of the body.

If a standard echocardiogram does not give as many details as necessary, a health professional can make a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). This test gives a detailed look at the heart and the body's main artery, called the aorta. A t-SHIRT creates images of the heart from the inside of the body. On many occasions is done to examine the aortic valve.

Some or all of these tests may also be done to diagnose congenital heart defects in children.

Treatment

A person who is born with a congenital heart defect can often be successfully treated in childhood. But sometimes, the condition of the heart, you may not need a repair during childhood or the symptoms are not noticed until adulthood.

The treatment of congenital heart disease in adults depends on the specific type of heart disease and how severe it is. If the condition of the heart is soft, regular health examinations may be the only treatment necessary.

Other treatments for congenital heart disease in adults can include medications and surgery.

Drugs

Some mild types of congenital heart disease in adults can be treated with medications that help the heart work better. Medications can also be given to prevent blood clots or to control an irregular heartbeat.

Surgeries and other procedures

Some adults with congenital heart disease may need a medical device or a heart surgery.

  • Implantable heart devices. A pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) may be necessary. These devices help improve some of the complications that can occur with congenital heart disease in adults.
  • Catheter-based treatments. Some types of congenital heart disease in adults can be repaired using a thin, flexible tubes called catheters. These treatments allow doctors to fix the heart without open heart surgery. The doctor inserts a catheter through a blood vessel, usually in the groin, and the guide for the heart. Sometimes more of a catheter. Once in place, the doctor threads of small tools through the catheter to correct the condition of the heart.
  • Open-heart surgery. If the catheter treatment cannot be corrected congenital heart disease, open-heart surgery may be needed. The type of heart surgery depends on the condition of the heart.
  • Heart transplant. If a serious heart condition can't be treated, a heart transplant may be required.

The follow-up care

Adults with congenital heart disease are at risk of developing complications — even if you had surgery to repair a defect during childhood. Lifelong follow-up care is important. Ideally, a medical doctor trained in the treatment of adults with congenital heart disease should manage your health care. This type of doctor is called a congenital cardiologist.

The follow-up care may include blood tests and imaging tests to check for complications. How often you need health screenings depends on if your congenital heart disease is mild or complex.

Lifestyle and home remedies

If you have a congenital heart disease, lifestyle changes may be recommended to keep the heart healthy and prevent complications.

Coping and support

You may find that talking with other people who have congenital heart disease brings comfort and encouragement. Ask your health care team if there are any support groups in your area.

It can also be helpful to become familiar with your condition. Want to learn:

  • The name and the details of the condition of your heart and how it has been treated.
  • The symptoms of your specific type of congenital heart disease and when you should communicate with your health care team.
  • How often you should have health checks.
  • Information about your medications and their side effects.
  • How to prevent infections of the heart, and if you need to take antibiotics before dental treatment.
  • The exercise guidelines and restrictions of work.
  • Birth control and family planning information.
  • Health insurance information and coverage options.

Preparing for your appointment

If you were born with a heart disease, make an appointment for a health checkup with a doctor trained in the treatment of congenital heart disease. To do this, even if you are not having any kind of complications. It is important to have regular health exams if you have congenital heart disease.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do in advance, such as avoiding food or drink for a short period of time. Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms, if any, including any that may seem unrelated to congenital heart disease, and when they began.
  • Important personal information, including a family history of congenital heart defects and any treatment you received as a child.
  • All medications, vitamins or supplements you take. Including those bought without a prescription. Also include the dose.
  • Questions to ask your health care team.

Prepare a list of questions can help you and your health professional make the most of your time together. You might ask questions such as:

  • How often do I need to test my heart?
  • Do these tests require any special preparation?
  • How can we monitor the complications of congenital heart disease?
  • If you want to have kids, what are the chances that you will have a congenital heart defect?
  • There are diet or activity restrictions I need to follow?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care team may ask you many questions, including:

  • Do your symptoms come and go, or do you have all the time?
  • How bad are the symptoms?
  • Nothing seems to improve the symptoms?
  • What, in any case, it makes your symptoms worse?
  • What is your style of life, including diet, tobacco use, physical activity and the consumption of alcohol?
Symptoms and treatment of Congenital heart disease in adults