What you need to know about Congenital Heart Disease

Does your little one feel very tired after drinking some milk? Have you noticed that his lips, tongue, and skin turn blue? Sometimes little children fall asleep faster than other children while running and playing. Although these things may seem normal, sometimes they can be caused by a congenital heart condition. Don't worry, this is what we are talking about today. This is a condition that many people have, and it can be treated.

Simply put, what is congenital heart disease?

We call this `CHD` for short. The simplest meaning of this is that when a child is born, there is some change or defect in the structure of their heart, that is, the way the heart is formed. Because of this, blood does not flow through the heart properly.

Imagine that the heart and blood vessels work like a water system in our house. If there is any problem with the pipes and valves, the water will flow, right? That's how it is. These defects can be of various kinds.

• Hole in the heart: A congenital hole in the walls that separate the chambers of the heart.
• Issues with blood vessels: Blood vessels that are connected in the wrong place, are too narrow, or blood is flowing in the wrong direction.
• Problems with heart valves: The valves that control the flow of blood do not open or close properly.

Some CHD conditions are very simple. They don't even show symptoms. But some are a little more complex and can affect life and need to be treated in infancy. Sometimes this condition is detected at birth. But for some people, it is diagnosed during childhood, adolescence, or adulthood.

What are the main types of heart disease?

Congenital heart diseases can be divided into two main categories: one based on the level of oxygen in the blood.

1. Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease: This is a condition in which the amount of oxygen in the blood is reduced due to a defect in the heart. This causes the skin, lips, and nails to turn blue. This is what we call `Cyanosis`.

2. Acyanotic Congenital Heart Disease: In this type, the oxygen level in the blood is normal. That is, there is no blue coloration. But the blood flows through the heart in an abnormal way.

Let's look at these two types in a little more detail.

What are the symptoms of this condition?

Symptoms can vary from person to person, depending on the type of heart defect, its severity, and the person's age.

Symptoms seen in infants and young children:

• Cyanosis: A blue or purple discoloration of the lips, tongue, skin, and nails.
• Breathing difficulties: rapid breathing, shortness of breath.
• Tiredness while drinking milk: Even after drinking a little milk, the baby feels tired, sweats, and stops drinking milk after a while.
• Constant drowsiness: The child is unusually sleepy.
• Poor weight gain: The child is not gaining weight normally.

Symptoms seen in older children and adults:

• Getting tired quickly during exercise: You feel very tired after running for a while or climbing a flight of stairs.
• Chest pain: Chest pain, especially when engaging in activity.
• Fainting: Sudden loss of consciousness.
• Swelling: Swelling in areas such as the legs, ankles, and abdomen.
• Heart Murmur: An abnormal 'swooshing' sound heard from the heart when the doctor examines it with a stethoscope.

Why is this happening? What are the reasons?

In fact, it is often difficult to find a specific cause for this. It is most likely due to a random event that occurs during the first few weeks of a baby's development in the womb as the heart develops. However, several factors have been identified that increase the risk.

• Genetic causes: The risk is higher if someone in the family has CHD or chromosomal abnormalities such as Down Syndrome.
• Mother's health conditions during pregnancy:
• If the mother cannot control her diabetes during pregnancy.
• If the mother has a viral infection such as rubella .
• Smoking, drinking alcohol , or being exposed to secondhand smoke during pregnancy.
• Using certain medications (e.g., certain medications for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and acne) without medical advice.

How is this condition diagnosed? What tests are done?

There are several ways to diagnose CHD. Sometimes it can be diagnosed before the baby is born, sometimes immediately after birth, and sometimes later in life.

1. During pregnancy: If a heart abnormality is detected during the routine `Anomaly Scan`, a `Fetal Echocardiogram` may be performed. This can take a detailed picture of the baby's heart.

2. After birth:

• Medical examination: When the doctor examines the child, he or she will check for an abnormal heart sound (`Heart Murmur`) and a blue color.
• Pulse Oximetry Screening: This is a very simple, painless test. A small sensor is placed on the child's finger or toe to measure the oxygen level in the blood. If the oxygen level is low, it could be a sign of CHD.

3. Tests to confirm:

• Echocardiogram (Echo): This is the most important test. It is like an ultrasound scan. It uses sound waves to create a video image of the heart. This allows you to clearly see the heart's chambers, valves, and blood flow.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): A test that records the electrical activity of the heart. This checks for any irregularities in the heartbeat.
• Chest X-ray: A chest X-ray can give an idea of ​​the size and shape of the heart.
• Cardiac Catheterization: This is a slightly more complicated test. A very thin tube (catheter) is passed through a vein in your leg or arm to your heart, where the pressure inside your heart is measured and samples are taken. Sometimes, this same procedure can also be used to repair small defects.

How is it treated?

Treatment depends on the patient's age, the type and severity of the heart defect. Not all cases of CHD require treatment. Some minor defects (e.g., small holes) will close on their own over time.

There are several main treatment methods:

• Medications: Medications are given to help the heart function, control the heart rate, control blood pressure, and remove excess fluid from the body.
• Catheter Procedures: Without surgery, a thin tube, such as in `Cardiac Catheterization`, can be passed through a blood vessel to close holes in the heart, widen narrowed valves, or widen blood vessels.
• Open-Heart Surgery: Complex defects require surgery to repair them. With today's technology, this surgery is very successful.
• Heart Transplant: This is a last resort option that is only considered in cases where the heart is severely damaged and cannot be cured by any other treatment.

Things to consider when living with CHD

With advances in medical science, today more than 90% of people with CHD survive to adulthood. Most people can live normal, happy, and active lives. However, there are some things that need to be taken care of throughout life.

• Regular medical check-ups: Even after treatment, it is essential to see a cardiologist at regular intervals throughout your life.
• Healthy lifestyle: A balanced diet, a level of exercise recommended by your doctor, and maintaining a healthy weight are very important.
• Dental Health: Bacteria from gum disease can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart (endocarditis). So take special care of your teeth and oral health.
• Informing other doctors: When you see a doctor for any other illness, be sure to tell them that you have CHD, the medications you are taking, and any surgeries you have had.
• Pregnancy: If a woman with CHD is planning to become pregnant, it is essential to discuss the matter with a cardiologist and gynecologist beforehand.

When should you go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU)?

If someone with CHD experiences one or more of the following symptoms, take them to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately.

• Severe chest pain
• Severe difficulty breathing
• Severe dizziness or fainting (lightheadedness)
• A distinct blue color to the skin or lips

Congenital Heart Disease, CHD, Hole in the Heart, Pediatric Heart Disease, Blue Baby, Cyanosis, Heart Surgery, Echocardiogram