Heart problems can be caused by many things. Some are preventable, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
Other causes are not preventable, like a genetic problem or a condition you get as an adult. Some heart problems can be treated with medications, surgeries or procedures. You can also learn to recognize the symptoms.
The coronary arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart. CAD happens when fatty deposits called plaque build up in the arteries, narrowing and restricting blood flow. It’s also known as atherosclerosis. When pieces of the fatty deposit break off, they can cause a blood clot to form in an artery and reduce or stop blood flow to the heart. This can lead to a heart attack.
You can get a diagnosis for CAD with a physical exam, tests and listening to your heartbeat with a stethoscope. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and your family history of heart disease. They may also do a stress test or an echocardiogram. They may use these tests to measure your heart’s electrical activity, listen to your arteries with ultrasound or take blood samples to check for substances that harm arteries and increase your risk of CAD.
Some people with CAD have few or no symptoms. Others have angina, which is chest pain or pressure that lasts a few minutes and goes away with rest or medicine. If you have angina, it means your artery is partially blocked and you are at risk for a heart attack. If you have unstable angina, the symptoms are unpredictable and happen even when you’re at rest or not doing any physical activity.
Besides a healthy diet and exercise, your doctor may recommend medicines to lower your cholesterol, blood pressure, or blood sugar. They can also advise you to quit smoking, if you smoke. Surgical procedures, such as coronary artery bypass surgery, can also help. This procedure uses blood vessels from other parts of your body to create a detour around your clogged arteries.
The heart’s rhythm (or “beat”) is controlled by electrical signals. These signals normally start each heartbeat in the natural pacemaker in the right upper chamber (atrium). Then they move across the atria and cause them to contract, pumping blood into the lower chambers (ventricles). Arrhythmias occur when the signals are disrupted or don’t happen at all. Symptoms can range from minor inconvenience to cardiac arrest and sudden death. Some arrhythmias are caused by underlying health conditions, while others have no known cause. Symptoms include palpitations, which feel like the heart is racing, fluttering, pounding or skipping beats. Almost everyone has occasional palpitations, but if they’re more frequent or regular, it may be a sign of an abnormal heart rhythm.
Getting arrhythmia treatment can help control symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. Doctors usually recommend lifestyle changes and medicines. Some doctors also use a test called electrocardiography or EKG to measure the heart’s electrical activity. This involves putting sticky papers with electrodes on your chest and neck, connected to wires that record the heartbeat for 10 seconds or so. Then the doctor looks at the results, which show how fast your heart is beating and if it has any irregularities.
A simple and effective way to reduce your chances of arrhythmia is to avoid triggers such as stress, caffeine, alcohol and some medicines. You can also take an aspirin daily to help prevent arrhythmias. Make sure you see your GP for regular health checks from the age of 45 (or 30 if you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander). This helps identify any health issues that can lead to arrhythmias and other heart problems.
Heart failure develops when your heart doesn’t pump with enough force. This can be due to an enlarged heart (diastolic heart failure) or not emptying properly (systolic heart failure). It can affect the left, right or both sides of your heart. Symptoms include breathlessness when exercising, feeling tired all the time and swelling in the ankles or feet (edema). You can also have chest pain or a cough that doesn’t go away. Some people with heart failure have problems breathing when lying down because of fluid building up in the lungs. This can be very dangerous and you need to see your doctor as soon as possible.
There’s no cure for heart failure but treatment can help. You might have to take drugs that improve your heart’s ability to pump blood, decrease the stress on your heart and prevent fluid build-up. You can also try to reduce your symptoms by eating a healthy diet, losing weight and stopping smoking. Keeping up with your regular doctor appointments is important, too. Your doctor will check your symptoms, your health history and do tests to look at how well your heart is working.
If you have severe heart failure, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) may be recommended. An ICD is a small battery-powered box (smaller than a matchbox) that’s inserted under the skin near your collar bone (clavicle). It continuously monitors your heart and can correct dangerous abnormal heart rhythms by delivering controlled electric shocks to restore normal heart function. There are different types of ICDs and your doctor will discuss what type is right for you. There’s also a chance that you might need surgery to improve your symptoms and quality of life.
Pericarditis is an inflammation of the sac that surrounds the heart. The pericardium normally functions to protect the heart and reduce friction between it and other organs in the body. However, in some people, rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis can cause an overproduction of fluid within the pericardium, leading to a build-up that causes pain, tenderness and swelling. Pericarditis may also occur weeks after a heart attack or heart surgery due to irritation of the heart muscles.
Pericardial effusion (abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardium) can lead to cardiac tamponade, which can cause a severe and life-threatening complication in which the heart becomes compressed and cannot pump properly. If not treated quickly, it can lead to shock and death. The first step in diagnosing pericarditis is for your doctor to listen to your chest with a stethoscope. If the pericardial layers rub together during an episode of pericarditis, it will cause a distinctive sound called “pericardial rub.” The doctor may also take a sample of the fluid from around your heart for testing. This procedure is called pericardiocentesis.
Most cases of pericarditis are not serious and will go away on their own in a few days to weeks or months. Treatment may include rest, pain medicines such as NSAIDs, and anti-inflammatory drugs. A steroid may be prescribed in some cases to control the inflammation. If the pericarditis doesn’t respond to treatment, your doctor may need to drain excess fluid from around your heart. This can be done with a sterile needle or a tube (catheter). In rare cases, surgery to remove the pericardium may be necessary, but this is only recommended when recurrent episodes of pericarditis don’t respond to other treatments.
Cardiomyopathy is a term for problems with the heart muscle that can cause it to become thicker, stiffer or larger than normal. It can affect people of all ages and in different ways. Some types of cardiomyopathy can cause heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. Others can increase the risk of blood clots forming in the heart (a condition called thromboembolism). Blood clots may break free and lodge in an artery to the brain (causing a stroke) or in the lungs (causing a pulmonary embolism).
The most common type of cardiomyopathy is dilated cardiomyopathy, where one or more of the pumping chambers of the heart become too stretched out or enlarged. It is usually a gradual process that causes symptoms over many years. It may also be inherited.
Other forms of cardiomyopathy include restrictive cardiomyopathy, where the walls of the main heart chambers become too rigid or stiff and don’t relax properly after contracting. This reduces the flow of blood from the heart and can lead to symptoms of heart failure, breathlessness and ankle swelling. It’s most common in young people and can cause sudden death. Read more about this condition on the British Heart Foundation and Cardiomyopathy UK websites.
People with alcoholic cardiomyopathy can often be helped by giving up drinking alcohol. They can also be treated with medicines to control their symptoms and prevent them from getting worse. In some cases, medication can help to decrease the risk of abnormal heart rhythms or improve heart function with devices like an implantable cardioverter defibrillator or a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).
A diagnosis of cardiomyopathy can be life changing. It can involve regular visits to a cardiologist, daily medications and restrictions on physical activity. This can impact a child’s quality of life and schooling. A few children need to be restricted from competitive and contact sports, but these decisions should be made with the input of a pediatric cardiomyopathy specialist.
Many heart problems don’t have the classic chest pain that we think of when we hear the word “heart attack”. But a lot of symptoms do warn us that something is wrong with our hearts.
Unexplained tiredness or weakness that comes and goes can be a sign of heart disease, especially in women. Fatigue can also be caused by certain medicines or illnesses, but it should always be reported to your doctor.
Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of a heart problem. It usually feels like a pressure or a burning sensation in the center of your chest that can spread to your shoulders, arms, back, neck or jaw. If the pain is severe, long-lasting or doesn’t go away, it may be a sign of a serious condition.
The most well-known cause of chest pain is a heart attack (myocardial infarction). When you have a heart attack, the supply of blood to your heart gets blocked suddenly, stopping it from getting the oxygen it needs. This causes damage to your heart muscle and can be life-threatening. Heart attacks can start slowly and feel mild, then become more serious. They can also come and go over several hours. The symptoms can vary from person to person and are different for men and women.
Other types of chest pain can be caused by problems with your lungs or ribs. For example, pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the arteries that carry blood to your lungs. This can lead to a feeling of heaviness or tightness in your chest. It can also be a sign of pulmonary embolism, where a small clot forms in an artery in your lung.
In addition, if your ribs are broken or cracked, it can be painful. This is because the sternum, which is part of the upper ribs, lies directly over the lungs. It can also be painful if the cartilage that connects your sternum to your ribs becomes inflamed or irritated.
Other things that can cause chest pain include:
If you have new or worsening chest pain, it’s important to get it checked out. The faster you can get treatment for a heart problem, the less damage it will do to your body. Call your doctor right away and describe your pain. If you think you’re having a heart attack, call an ambulance immediately. Then lie down and try to relax until the ambulance arrives.
Breathing is automatic, and we don’t usually give it much thought until we feel like we can’t get enough air. This feeling, called dyspnea, can be a sign of heart trouble.
If it comes on suddenly, it’s a medical emergency. It may be a sign of a heart attack, a blood clot in the lungs or a problem with the aorta. If you’re experiencing this symptom along with chest pain, lightheadedness or blue skin, lips and nails, call 911.
More often, breathlessness is a symptom of long-term health conditions. It can be caused by diseases that affect the lungs or the heart, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It can also occur due to being overweight or having certain neuromuscular disorders.
When breathlessness is a symptom of heart disease, it often happens because the heart isn’t pumping enough oxygen-rich blood into the lungs. It can also be caused by a buildup of fluid in the lungs or abnormal heart rhythms.
It’s important to take any kind of breathlessness seriously because it could be a warning sign of a heart problem, says Dr. Zeenat Safdar, a pulmonologist at Houston Methodist Lung Center. “The heart and the lungs are incredibly important organs, so you should never ignore any symptoms that impact them,” she says.
Having a cough or having a fever are signs of a lung infection or pneumonia. And, a lung tumor or cancer can be to blame for shortness of breath.
Some people feel short of breath while lying down because the gravity pulls fluid from their legs upward into their torso, making it harder to exchange fresh oxygen for carbon dioxide in the used blood. This symptom, called orthopnea, is common in people with heart failure. Similarly, people with heart failure might wake up in the middle of the night gasping for breath, a condition known as paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.
Often, when your heart disease causes fluid to build up in your lungs (pulmonary edema), you’ll cough or wheeze to expel the excess. While this might not sound like a sign of a heart problem, it can be if the symptoms are severe. It might even be a medical emergency, and you should call 999. Similarly, if you feel tightness or pain in your jaw, back, neck, arms or stomach, this could be another heart attack symptom. This feeling is not the same as chest pain, but it can feel similar and a lot more urgent, and it might be caused by your heart, or it might be something else – like indigestion.
Depending on your condition, you may also notice other symptoms in the rest of your body. For example, if you have heart failure, it may be difficult to keep up with the blood flow to your brain, and this can cause confusion or difficulty thinking. It can also make it hard to control your emotions, which can lead to depression and anxiety. You might also have a general feeling of ill health or weakness throughout your body, especially in the legs. Your arms and feet might swell up, and your hands may feel numb. Occasionally, it’s normal to have an upset stomach, but if this is combined with any of the other signs and symptoms listed here, you should seek emergency medical attention right away.
If your heart isn’t pumping as well, your body will try to compensate by rerouting blood to other places that need it more, such as the skin, digestive system and the brain. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including dry or wet coughing, which can produce white or pink, blood-tinged mucus. This is because the lungs can’t expel the fluid properly.
This can lead to bloating, as the kidneys have to work harder to remove extra water and sodium from the body. It can also cause a faster heartbeat, which might be felt as a flutter or pounding in the chest. This is called arrhythmia, and it’s usually a sign of heart disease, particularly coronary artery disease (CAD), or atherosclerosis, which can lead to a heart attack.
If you’re feeling tightness or pain in your arms, legs, feet, or abdomen, it’s a sign that something might be wrong with your heart. This sensation, often called a’squeezing’ or ‘choking’ feeling, can be caused by a blocked artery supplying blood to the heart. It can also be a sign of heart failure or high blood pressure. This feeling tends to be more common in women, and it’s important for you to report this symptom to your doctor as soon as possible.
Unexplained swollen feet or ankles can be a sign of heart disease, especially if they occur with shortness of breath, fatigue or a fast heartbeat. Unexpected swollen feet or ankles can also be a sign of kidney or liver disease, venous insufficiency (weak leg veins) or a side effect of certain medications, such as nifedipine or amlodipine.
Fluid buildup in your legs can be a sign of a blood clot, which can lead to the life-threatening condition called pulmonary embolism. This occurs when a blood clot breaks loose from its original location in the leg, travels to the lungs, and blocks the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your body’s tissues. If you notice sudden swelling of your legs, call your doctor right away.
If your symptoms are mild, it’s probably not a sign of a heart problem, but you should still visit your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask you about your family history of heart problems and your current health. They may also order an ECG, which records your heartbeat and can show signs of abnormal electrical activity, and blood tests to check your cholesterol levels.
Swelling in your legs and feet is a common symptom of congestive heart failure (CHF), which happens when your heart can’t pump enough blood to the rest of your body. CHF can also cause other heart problems, such as an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), chest pain and breathlessness. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, your doctor can prescribe medications to help with the problem and manage your heart disease risk factors.
Heart problems treatment includes medicine, lifestyle changes and sometimes surgery. You may have a physical exam and blood tests.
Your doctor may also want to know your family history of heart disease.
Your doctor may recommend angioplasty or stenting, a procedure to open narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. You might have bypass surgery, in which your doctor removes a healthy vein or artery from another part of your body and uses it to reroute blood around blocked arteries.
Depending on the type of heart disease you have and its severity, your doctor may prescribe a medicine that either cures the condition or manages the symptoms. For example, a medication may control the progression of coronary artery disease by slowing additional plaque buildup or alleviate the symptoms of heart failure. Medications can also help treat conditions such as arrhythmias and high blood pressure.
There are a number of different types of heart medicines, and each one works differently. Your doctor will determine the best medicine for you based on your type of heart problem, other health issues and any drug interactions that may exist.
Calcium channel blockers (CCB) relax arteries, which decreases the heart’s workload and increases oxygen flow. These drugs are widely used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain (angina) caused by reduced blood supply to the heart muscle. Some examples include amlodipine (Norvasc) and diltiazem (Cartia XT).
Beta-adrenergic blocking agents (beta blockers) decrease the heart rate, which lowers blood pressure and increases the oxygen supply to the heart. They are widely used to treat angina and high blood pressure as well as some arrhythmias. Common examples include carvedilol (Coreg) and adrenoblockers like benazepril (Zero) and atenolol (Tenormin).
Diuretics remove excess fluid from the body through urination, which relieves the heart’s workload and reduces swelling in the ankles and legs. They are commonly prescribed for people with heart failure and can be found in a wide variety of forms.
Anticoagulants reduce the ability of the blood to clot by inhibiting the formation of clotting factors in the body. They are often prescribed to prevent blood clots that can cause stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attacks).
It is important to take all heart medications as directed, at the correct time each day. Be sure to get a pillbox that has markings for each day of the week, so you can keep track of when you’re supposed to take your medications. It is also important to monitor your own health by checking your blood pressure, weight and other vital signs regularly.
In some cases, surgery may be needed to treat heart problems. Your doctor can explain what options are available to you, including minimally invasive surgical techniques that can often provide the same benefits as traditional open surgery. Depending on your situation, surgery may also be a more effective treatment than medication or lifestyle changes alone.
Some surgeries include procedures to help with the flow of blood, the structure of your heart or the electrical system in your heart. These surgeries include coronary artery bypass surgery, which involves taking healthy arteries or veins from other parts of your body and using them to reroute the flow of blood around the clogged areas of your heart (CABG).
A less invasive surgery to treat blocked arteries is called angioplasty. During this procedure, a heart doctor uses a thin flexible tube (catheter) to insert into a narrowed part of your blood vessel. A small balloon is inflated inside the narrowed area to expand it and improve blood flow. A metal wire mesh tube, called a stent, may be placed in the artery to hold it open. Drug-eluting stents release medicines that slow down the chances of the artery narrowing again.
Another surgery helps to control arrhythmias, which are abnormal electrical signals in your heart. A maze procedure for some types of arrhythmias is done by threading a catheter with an electrode at the end of it through your blood vessels to your heart. The tip of the catheter then zaps a small section of your heart with radiofrequency energy to disrupt the abnormal electrical signal.
Some people with a condition called pericardial effusion, which is fluid buildup in the sac that surrounds your heart, require surgery to drain the excess fluid. Other surgeries include repair or replacement of heart valves.
Some heart diseases develop when you are a baby in the uterus or shortly after birth (congenital heart disease). Others develop because of other conditions or because of ageing. Generally, most heart problems are not reversible but some may get better or worse with treatment. Your doctor can explain the risks of different treatments and help you make a decision that’s right for you.
If you have a heart condition, you may need to make changes in your daily routine, take medicine or have surgery. These treatments can help you manage your symptoms, improve your overall health and reduce the risk of future heart problems.
Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program that helps people with heart problems live healthier lives. It involves a combination of exercise training and education. It can be done in a hospital or rehabilitation center. The program is tailored to each person’s needs, and it can include exercise training, dietary changes, smoking cessation, stress management and education on how to avoid future heart problems.
Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover cardiac rehabilitation. Ask your doctor if you are a good candidate for this program. You will need a referral from your doctor to join the program.
During cardiac rehab, doctors will monitor your heart rate and blood pressure during exercise sessions. A nurse or physiotherapist can also help you with your exercises. During a session, you will start by warming up and stretching for about 30-40 minutes. Then, you will exercise for about a half hour or an hour. This exercise can be on a treadmill, stationary bicycle or elliptical machine.
After your rehabilitation is complete, you can continue to work on changing your lifestyle. Try to follow the advice your doctor gave you and eat a healthy diet. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol use, if you are still drinking. Be sure to get enough sleep and drink plenty of water.
You should also keep up with your exercise program at home. You can find a lot of free online resources that can help you do this. You can even participate in virtual programs if you do not have access to a gym or are too far away from one. In addition to changing your lifestyle, you can also learn about new medicines that are available and how to prevent further heart problems. All of these changes can help you live a longer, healthier life. You will also have a better quality of life and feel less stressed.
In addition to medications, heart disease can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle choices. Having good nutrition, getting enough exercise and not smoking can help keep blood pressure, cholesterol and weight in check. In fact, research has shown that lifestyle changes can prevent about 80% of all cardiovascular diseases.
A heart attack occurs when the blood vessels that supply blood to your heart become clogged with plaque, a hardened substance that contains cholesterol and other substances. As a result, your heart doesn’t get enough oxygen-rich blood to function properly and you experience chest pain or a feeling of heaviness in the chest. Other symptoms of heart disease include breathlessness, dizziness or fainting unpredictably and swelling of the legs or ankles (edema).
Even if you have heart problems, it’s never too late to make healthy changes. The most important thing is to start small and work your way up to a healthier lifestyle. The first step is to talk to your doctor. They can recommend an appropriate diet and exercise plan for you.
Incorporate more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and beans into your diet and avoid saturated fats and trans fats. Limit your salt intake and drink alcohol only in moderation. If you have diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure, follow your doctor’s recommendations for these health conditions as well.
Regular exercise can improve your heart and lung functions. Exercise can also reduce stress and help you maintain a healthy weight. Make sure to talk to your doctor before beginning a new exercise program and always be careful to choose low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming or cycling.
Managing stress can be challenging, but it is essential for heart disease prevention and treatment. You can try a variety of methods to reduce stress, such as meditation, yoga, breathing exercises or talking with friends and family members. Getting enough sleep and taking time to relax are also important.
People who feel isolated have a higher risk of heart disease. Make an effort to build your social network by joining clubs, neighborhood groups, religious communities or finding a hobby you enjoy.
There are many different types of heart problems. Some can cause discomfort or pain when you exercise, eat or are upset, and some can lead to serious heart complications.
Some of these heart problems are easier to treat if they’re caught early. That’s why it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.
This heart problem causes blockages in the arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood to your heart. It happens when plaque builds up in your arteries, a process called atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. CAD can make your heart muscle work harder to get the oxygen it needs, which may cause chest pain or shortness of breath. It can also lead to a heart attack.
If the blockage gets bigger, it can cut off blood flow to your heart. A heart attack is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening. You might also have a clot that stops blood flow in your artery (coronary thrombosis). This can also cause a heart attack and may be serious enough to require surgery or lead to death.
You might have no symptoms for a long time while the plaque builds up in your arteries. As the artery narrows, you can feel tired and have a rapid heartbeat (tachycardia). Your doctor will check your heart for signs of CAD. This includes doing a physical exam and asking questions about your family history of heart disease. Your doctor will also order heart tests. These tests can include:
Other problems that affect the heart and blood vessels are congenital heart disease and arrhythmias. Congenital heart disease develops when something goes wrong while you are developing in the womb. Some types of congenital heart disease cause symptoms right away, but others don’t show up until adulthood.
Heart valve problems can happen when one of the four heart valves doesn’t close or open properly. These problems include a leaky heart valve (pulmonary regurgitation), a narrow valve (pulmonary stenosis), or a problem with how the valves open and close (mitral insufficiency or tricuspid insufficiency).
Treatment for these conditions involves lifestyle changes, risk factor management and medications. Your doctor might also recommend a procedure or surgery. It’s important to follow your doctor’s treatment plan so you can reduce your risk of serious heart disease complications. You can help by quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight.
When your heartbeat isn’t normal, it’s called arrhythmia. It may feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels “fluttering.” These irregular heart rhythms can be harmless but sometimes can be dangerous. Symptoms can vary depending on where the problem starts in your heart. Arrhythmias can cause your heartbeat to be too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia) or out of rhythm. Arrhythmias can also be dangerous because they may lead to a stroke or cardiac arrest.
Normally, electrical signals travel from special heart cells through the bloodstream to your heart’s lower chambers (ventricles). When the signals reach the ventricles, they cause them to contract and pump blood to the rest of the body. The ventricles then rest between beats. This process creates a normal resting heart rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute. Arrhythmias can occur if the heart isn’t working properly because of damage or disease.
The most common type of arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation (A-fib). A-fib happens when the heart’s electrical signals become chaotic and don’t properly stimulate the lower heart chambers to contract. This can lead to pools of blood that collect and form clots. These clots can then travel to the brain and block blood flow, causing a stroke.
Other types of arrhythmia include AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT), premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and ventricular tachycardia (V-tach). V-tach is the most serious type of arrhythmia because it causes your heart to beat so quickly that your ventricles can’t fill with blood. It can lead to fainting and heart failure.
Fortunately, most arrhythmias can be treated with medicines. The kind of treatment you need will depend on the type of arrhythmia and your other health conditions. Arrhythmias that don’t respond to medicine may need treatment with procedures such as catheter ablation or implantable devices.
You can reduce your risk of getting arrhythmias by managing your overall health and avoiding behaviors that trigger them, such as smoking, drinking alcohol and taking certain over-the-counter or prescription medications. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors and develop a plan with them.
Congenital heart disease happens when something goes wrong while the heart is developing in the womb. Some of these problems cause abnormal blood flow through the heart and blood vessels. Others affect the structure of the heart. These conditions can be caused by a problem with genes or chromosomes, diabetes during pregnancy, or certain medications taken by the mother during pregnancy.
A condition called pulmonary stenosis occurs when the valve that lets oxygen-rich blood out of your heart go to your lungs — known as the pulmonic valve — is narrowed. This limits the flow of blood to your lungs and makes you breath more quickly than normal.
This type of heart defect can be found when you’re a baby by using pulse oximetry, a painless test that measures how much oxygen is in your blood. Some children with cyanotic CHD will need to have a heart operation to repair their hearts.
Sometimes children with CHD don’t have any symptoms or are diagnosed in early childhood. When this happens, doctors use a physical exam and tests such as chest X-rays or an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). They may also ask about your family history of heart disease or use an echocardiogram to create images of your heart’s valves and chambers.
If you have a heart defect, you should see a doctor regularly throughout your life. This will help prevent complications as you grow up and make changes to your lifestyle. Some of these problems will get better on their own while others need treatment.
Some CHD treatments include surgery to fix the heart defect or medication such as ACE inhibitors or beta blockers to reduce blood pressure and blood clot risk. You might also need to have a procedure to plug the hole in your heart or take medicines to treat other problems such as arrhythmias, heart failure or infections. You can find more information in our Understanding your child’s heart series of booklets and DVD, which covers 16 different CHDs in easy-to-read language. These booklets can also help your children understand what they need to do for their health and wellbeing, and how you can support them at home.
Heart valve problems occur when one or more of the heart valves don’t open or close properly. This makes the heart work harder and lessens its ability to pump blood. Heart valve problems can be severe and life-threatening, but most are also highly treatable.
Valve conditions can develop abnormally before birth or wear out over time. They may be caused by infection, high blood pressure or other diseases that affect the lining of the heart or heart valves.
Many people with valve disease don’t have any symptoms or feel their condition is not serious. However, the deterioration of some heart valves can cause chest pain, fatigue or shortness of breath when exercising, especially during vigorous activities or when lying flat in bed (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea).
Valve problems are usually identified by hearing a heart murmur on an electrocardiogram, although doctors can sometimes detect them by listening to the sound of your heartbeat with a stethoscope. Other tests to diagnose or confirm a heart valve problem include a chest X-ray, an echocardiogram and blood tests.
Common types of valve disease include stenosis, when the heart valve flaps become thick or stiff and can’t open all the way. Regurgitation, when the flaps don’t close tightly or can flop backward into the heart chamber, is another common type of valve disease. This happens most often with the mitral valve.
Other causes of valve disease include rheumatic fever, which results from untreated strep throat, and endocarditis, which is when germs enter the bloodstream and attack the lining of the heart or heart valves. Other risk factors for valve disease include syphilis, high blood pressure, a family history of heart valve disease and connective tissue diseases.
Most valve problems can be treated with medicine that reduces blood pressure or helps the heart beat normally, and by surgery or other procedures to repair or replace a damaged valve. However, if a valve problem is left untreated or gets worse over time, it can lead to arrhythmias, high blood pressure in the lungs, heart failure and other life-threatening problems.