Adult Congenital Heart Disease – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Congenital heart disease includes structural heart problems present from birth. These conditions affect blood flow through the heart and can range from mild to severe.
Some people with congenital heart issues may experience few symptoms, while others face serious health challenges.
Medical advances have significantly improved survival rates for those born with heart defects. Many adults with congenital heart conditions now live longer, healthier lives thanks to better diagnostic tools and treatment options.
Management typically involves:
- Regular checkups with healthcare providers.
- Medications to control symptoms or prevent complications.
- Surgical procedures to repair heart defects.
Adults with congenital heart disease need ongoing care. The frequency of medical visits depends on the specific condition and its severity. Healthcare providers can recommend appropriate follow-up schedules based on individual needs.
Types
Congenital heart defects come in many forms. These include:
- Septal Defects: Atrial septal defect (ASD) and ventricular septal defect (VSD), which are holes between heart chambers.
- Valve Problems: Pulmonary valve stenosis, bicuspid aortic valve, Ebstein anomaly, and congenital mitral valve issues.
- Blood Vessel Abnormalities: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), coarctation of the aorta, and vascular rings.
- Complex Defects: Tetralogy of Fallot, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, transposition of the great arteries, and truncus arteriosus.
Some conditions involve abnormal blood flow patterns, such as partial or total anomalous pulmonary venous return. Others affect heart rhythm, including Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and long QT syndrome.
Certain defects may lead to complications like Eisenmenger syndrome if left untreated.
Signs and Symptoms
Adults with heart defects may not always notice problems right away. Some people born with heart issues only see symptoms years later, even after treatment.
Common symptoms in adults with heart defects include:
- Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)
- Bluish or grayish skin color, especially in the lips and fingernails (shows low oxygen levels)
- Breathing difficulties or shortness of breath
- Quick fatigue during activities
- Swelling in body tissues (edema)
When Medical Help Is Needed
Seek emergency care immediately if you experience unexplained chest pain or cannot breathe properly.
Schedule a doctor’s appointment if:
- You notice any symptoms of heart defects
- You had treatment for a heart problem during childhood
Regular checkups are important for adults who were born with heart conditions, even if they received treatment years ago.
Causes
The exact causes of most congenital heart defects remain unclear to medical experts. Several factors may contribute to their development, including:
- Genetic mutations or chromosomal abnormalities
- Certain medications taken during pregnancy
- Maternal health conditions
- Environmental factors
- Lifestyle choices like smoking during pregnancy
These factors may affect heart development during early pregnancy, when the baby’s heart is forming.
Risk Factors
Several factors can increase the chance of a baby being born with heart problems:
Family History and Genes
Children whose family members had heart defects at birth face higher risks themselves. Genetic changes play a key role, with conditions like Down syndrome often including heart defects.
Medical Conditions During Pregnancy
- Rubella (German measles) infection during pregnancy can affect heart development
- Diabetes (type 1 or 2) present before pregnancy may alter heart formation
- Note: Gestational diabetes typically doesn’t increase this risk
Substances To Avoid
| Substance | Risk Information |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Linked to heart defects in developing babies |
| Tobacco | Smoking increases risk of heart abnormalities |
Medications
Some medications taken during pregnancy can harm heart development, including:
- Lithium (used for bipolar disorder)
- Isotretinoin (acne treatment)
Always inform healthcare providers about all medications you take when pregnant or planning pregnancy. Women who aren’t immune to rubella should consider vaccination before becoming pregnant, as determined by a blood test.
Health Problems
Adults with heart defects from birth may face issues even years after treatment. Problems include:
Uneven Heartbeats: Scar tissue from surgeries can disrupt normal heart signals. This might make your heart beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. Without treatment, some rhythm problems can lead to stroke or sudden death.
Heart Lining Infection: This condition affects the inner heart lining and valves. If not treated, it can harm the valves or cause a stroke. Regular dental care helps lower this risk, as healthy teeth and gums protect against infection.
Stroke Risk: Heart defects can allow blood clots to pass through the heart and travel to the brain.
Lung Blood Vessel Pressure: Some birth defects send extra blood to the lungs. This builds pressure that weakens the heart muscle over time.
Heart Failure: The heart becomes too weak to pump enough blood for the body’s needs.
People with mild heart defects can often have healthy pregnancies. However, those with complex heart problems might be advised against pregnancy.
If you have a heart defect and want to become pregnant, talk with your doctors first. They can explain possible risks and help make a care plan for your pregnancy.
This conversation helps ensure the safest outcome for both you and your baby.
Preventing Heart Defects at Birth
Most heart defects present at birth have unknown causes, making prevention difficult. Some heart conditions run in families, passing from parents to children through genes.
If your family has a history of heart problems, talk to your doctor. Genetic testing during pregnancy can help identify possible heart issues in your baby.
Prenatal screening tests are available for families with higher risk factors. These tests may detect heart defects before birth, allowing doctors to plan proper care.
