Can adults also have congenital heart disease? (Adult Congenital Heart Disease)

You may not have known you had a heart condition since you were a child. But as you get older, or as you get older, have you started to feel tired, short of breath, or a pounding in your chest? Many people think that heart disease is something that comes with age. But the truth is, some heart diseases are inherited. Today, we're talking about congenital heart diseases, which are diagnosed or treated in adulthood.

What is Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD)?

Simply put, this is a defect in the shape or structure of your heart that is present when you are born. The word “congenital” means “from birth.” These defects develop while the baby is still in the womb. These defects can affect the way blood flows through the heart . We also call these “congenital heart defects.”

Some of these heart conditions are very mild. Others can be quite serious. Depending on the type and severity of the defect, some people may not have any symptoms until they are adults. Others may not have any symptoms at all throughout their lives. Others may be treated for it in childhood but develop long-term effects as adults.

But there is no need to worry. With the advancement of modern medicine, the methods for diagnosing and treating these diseases have improved greatly. In fact, more than 90% of people who are treated for these heart conditions as children go on to live healthy lives. Whether you are diagnosed with this disease as a child or as an adult, you will need lifelong medical advice and testing to monitor your condition.

What parts of the heart can this affect?

These congenital heart defects can affect any part of the heart. The main parts that can be affected are:

• Blood vessels : Blood vessels in the heart carry blood throughout the body and back to the heart. Arteries carry oxygen- rich blood from the heart to the body. Veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart.
• Heart chambers: These chambers control the heart's beating and blood flow . There are two upper chambers (right and left atria) and two lower chambers (right and left ventricles). These chambers are separated from each other by a wall (septum).
• Heart valves : These four valves help blood flow through the heart in only one direction. They are like doors that stop blood from flowing in the wrong direction.

What are the main types of congenital heart disease?

There are several types of congenital heart disease that are common among adults. Let's take a look at what they are.

Who is more likely to develop these conditions?

These conditions can affect anyone, regardless of gender, age, or race. However, some conditions are more common in women than men. For example, conditions like `Atrial septal defect (ASD)` and `Mitral valve prolapse (MVP)` are more common in women. Conditions like `Aortic coarctation` are more common in men. Also, people with genetic conditions like `Down syndrome` or `Turner syndrome` are also at higher risk of developing congenital heart disease.

Why does this happen? What are the risk factors?

Many times, even doctors can't say exactly why a congenital heart defect like this occurs. Some of them can be inherited. That is, through genes.

Also, certain conditions the mother faces during pregnancy can increase this risk for the baby.

• If the mother contracts a viral infection such as rubella or influenza during the first three months of pregnancy.
• If the mother has diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes) .
• Some medications used for diseases such as acne and epilepsy can be used during pregnancy.
• If you take painkillers like ibuprofen after 30 weeks of pregnancy.

Do you also have these symptoms?

Symptoms of ACHD vary from person to person. They depend on your age, the number of heart defects you have, the severity of the disease, and the type of defect. Some people may not have any symptoms at all. If symptoms do occur, they may include:

• Blue discoloration of nails, lips, and skin (Cyanosis): This occurs when there is not enough oxygen in the blood flowing to the body.
• Dizziness.
• Feeling tired easily: Feeling like you're going to collapse even after doing a little work or walking.
• Heart murmur: You can't feel this. This abnormal sound is only heard when a doctor puts a stethoscope to your chest.
• Heart palpitations: A feeling that the heart is beating loudly and rapidly.
• Heartbeat irregularities (Arrhythmia).
• Difficulty breathing (Dyspnea).
• Swelling (edema) of the ankles, feet, or hands.

How do you find this, Doctor?

When you go to see a doctor, he will first ask you about your symptoms and whether anyone in your family has heart disease. Then he will do a physical exam and listen to your heart sounds.

To confirm the diagnosis, you may be asked to do one or more of the following tests:

• Chest X-ray: An X-ray examination of the chest.
• Echocardiogram (echo): This is like a scan of the heart. It can clearly see the shape of the heart, the chambers, and how the valves are working.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): This tests the electrical activity of the heart, that is, the rhythm of the heartbeat.
• Exercise stress test: An EKG is performed while you walk or run on a treadmill, looking at how your heart responds to exercise.
• Heart MRI and Heart CT scan: Scans that produce clearer, three-dimensional images of the heart.
• Cardiac catheterization: This is used for both diagnosis and treatment. A test in which a very thin tube (catheter) is passed through a blood vessel in the thigh to the heart.

What are the treatments for this?

Some very minor congenital heart defects do not require any treatment. However, even for those who do, they will need regular checkups with a cardiologist to see if the condition is getting worse.

Others require treatment. The type and severity of your condition will determine your treatment.

Medications

Your doctor may prescribe various medications to improve heart function and control symptoms. For example, they may prescribe medications that control blood pressure, control heart rate, or remove excess fluid from the body (diuretics).

Implantable Heart Devices

• Pacemaker: This device is implanted under the skin to control the heart rate, especially if the heart rate is slow.
• ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator): A device that detects life-threatening irregular heartbeats and delivers an electric shock to correct them.

Cardiac Catheterization Method

This is a simpler procedure than surgery. As mentioned earlier, a thin tube is inserted into the heart and used to close holes in the heart (such as ASD). It is also used to widen narrowed blood vessels or valves.

Surgery

Some defects require surgery to correct. Heart valves can be repaired or replaced, or more complex defects can be corrected with open-heart surgery or minimally invasive surgery.

Heart Transplant

This is done very rarely. A heart transplant is a last resort for people with the most serious, life-threatening heart disease that cannot be cured by any other treatment.

How should you take care of yourself?

When living with ACHD, you also need to take care of your health.

• Adopt a healthy lifestyle: Eat a balanced diet, consult your doctor and do exercises that are right for you, and completely avoid smoking and alcohol.
• Tell all your doctors: Whether you go to see a dentist or any other doctor, be sure to tell them that you have ACHD.
• See a cardiologist regularly: Even if you don't have any symptoms, go for check-ups as prescribed by your doctor.
• Take care of your teeth: Keep your teeth clean. If your gums become infected, the germs can travel through your bloodstream and affect your heart (endocarditis).
• Seek medical advice before becoming pregnant: If you are a woman expecting a child, it is imperative that you discuss it with your cardiologist and seek advice before trying to conceive.

When do you suddenly need to see a doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, which may be signs of heart failure, go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) without delay .

• Severe difficulty breathing.
• Swelling in the abdomen or lower legs.
• Excessive, unusual tiredness for no apparent reason.

Also, if you develop any new symptoms or feel that your existing symptoms are getting worse, see your doctor immediately.

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