Congenital Heart Disease in Adults

Congenital heart diseases in adults are heart abnormalities that are present in the body at birth. All congenital heart conditions may not be life-threatening, and some may not cause any symptoms at all.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 4 babies diagnosed with congenital heart disease have critical conditions requiring surgery or other procedures in their first year of life. However, in most cases, early detection and medical intervention can help children have active and healthy lives. 

Unfortunately, some congenital defects may not be detected until adulthood. With the advances in medical learning and technology in recent times, the effectiveness of treatments for babies born with congenital heart disease has improved. However, this also means that there are now more adults living with undetected congenital heart defects than children.

Congenital heart problems usually affect the heart’s walls, valves, or blood vessels. 

Heart Wall Defects – In this case, the walls between the heart’s chambers (atria and ventricles) may not develop correctly. Alternatively, holes or passageways between the left and right sides of the heart might cause blood from both sides to mix. This type of defect causes the heart to work harder to pump blood.

Heart Valve Defects – The pathway for the blood flowing in and out of the heart’s four chambers is regulated by the heart’s valves. If one of the valves is too narrow or completely closed, it can block the passage for the blood. In other cases, the valve might not close properly, so the blood leaks backward.

Blood Vessel Defects – In this case, the arteries and veins may not function correctly. If the blood flow into and out of the heart is not normal, it can potentially deprive blood of oxygen and lead to organ failure.

Doctors have not yet identified clear reasons for congenital heart disease. It does tend to run in families, so there may be a genetic connection where it is passed down from parent to child, and so on.

Congenital heart disease could be caused by genetic or chromosomal problems in the child, such as down syndrome.

Congenital heart disease may be introduced during pregnancy. Factors that may cause congenital heart disease include:

• Smoking or alcohol and drug use during pregnancy.
• Use of certain medications, such as isotretinoin for acne, during pregnancy.
• Viral infections like rubella during the first trimester of pregnancy.
• Diabetes in the mother can affect the growth of the baby’s heart.

Symptoms of congenital heart disease are different for children and adults.

Symptoms for children include:

• Bluish tint to the skin, fingernails, and lips
• Rapid (or shallow) breathing and poor feeding
• Poor weight gain
• Lung infections
• Inability to exercise

Symptoms for adults include:

• Shortness of breath
• Problem while exercising
• Chest pain
• Fatigue

Treatment depends on the type and severity of the defect. For some people, a mild defect might resolve on its own over time, and medical intervention may not be needed.

However, others may need extensive treatment and surgery to correct the situation. Treatment options can include:

Medicines – Prescription medications are usually recommended to prevent blood clots from forming or to control an irregular heartbeat.

Implanted devices for the heart – This can include pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs).

Catheter procedures – The doctor can repair certain congenital heart defects without surgically opening the chest and heart.

Open-Heart surgery – This procedure may be needed to close holes in the heart, repair heart valves, or widen blood vessels.

In very rare cases, the problem may be too complex for a surgical procedure, and the surgeon may advise a heart transplant operation.

If you suspect you or anyone in your family might have congenital heart problems, please call us to schedule a cardiology consultation with Dr. Lilian Ahiable.

At Sydnor Cardiovascular Center, we provide expert care for all types of cardiac problems. Entrust your heart health with Dr. Ahiable and our team at Sydnor Cardiovascular Center.

To schedule an appointment, call us at 727-300-2282 or request an appointment online.