Types of Heart Disease in Children

A heart disease can stop your heart from functioning properly. There is a range of different heart disorders, and your child might have one or more of them. Some of the common heart issues are stated below.

Congenital Heart Defects

A congenital heart disease is a type of heart disorder that a baby is born with. It may include abnormal development of the heart, major arteries, the valves, or a combination of these defects. These heart defects are caused by a problem in the heart’s development during the first trimester of pregnancy. The exact cause of the disorder is still unknown, but it has been shown to cause due to a complex development of the baby’s heart. Sometimes, an infection or a drug causes a heart disorder.

Types of Heart Disease in Children

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German measles or other viral conditions can have an adverse impact on the heart as it develops. If a pregnant woman smokes, drink too much alcohol, or consumes certain medicines in pregnancy, this can also cause heart disease in children and other health conditions.

A fetus is well protected in the uterus from outside influences. Accidents and threatened miscarriages are not the reason behind congenital heart diseases. Additionally, a background of health conditions is only a small risk. It is uncommon to have more than one child in a family with congenital heart issues.

The heart defect is very common as almost one child in hundred is born with a heart defect. Many defects are minor in nature and can be treated with drugs or surgery.

Arrhythmias

Arrhythmias are defined as the abnormal rhythm of the heartbeat and are caused by the changes in the electrical system of the heart. The problem may cause the heart to pump less efficiently. There are many different types of arrhythmias. Some may cause your child’s heart to skip or add a beat now and again but does not interfere with their daily lives while others are more serious and even deadly. If they are not untreated, they can disrupt the mechanism of action of the heart’s pumping, which can result in fainting, shortness of breath, dizzy spells, or serious heart conditions. The good news is that many arrhythmias can be corrected with medicines, surgery, or other medical procedures. Also, these can also be treated by lifestyle changes such as avoiding vigorous or extreme exercise session. Below are the types of arrhythmias:

  • Bradycardia
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Tachycardia
  • Long QT syndrome

Heart Murmurs

A type of heart disease in children is recognized by a murmuring sound that can only be heard with the help of a stethoscope when listening to the heartbeat. The cause behind the murmuring sound is the occurrence of turbulence in the blood flow through the heart valves. Murmurs in healthy hearts can be called as innocent. Many young children have innocent murmurs, and these can be heard during a fever when the heart finds difficulty in pumping. Innocent murmurs usually resolve with time, but others may require additional treatment.

Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a heart problem in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s requirement. This is because of congenital heart defect. CHF causes fluid to build up in your child’s lung and the rest of the body. Always remember that it does not mean that the heart of your baby will stop beating; it means it is not beating efficiently.

Endocarditis

It is a condition in which your heart’s inner lining is inflamed. It is also known as effective endocarditis. Many causes contribute to endocarditis, including urinary infections, dental work, throat infections, infected cuts, and surgery. People suffering from heart conditions are much more likely to get endocarditis than other people, so it is essential to protect your child from getting it.

Heart Disease Treatment

Many children with minor heart issues do not require a surgery and can live well without any treatment. However, other cases require medications to manage their heart condition. If your child’s health is serious, he/she may need to have an operation.

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Your health care specialist might prescribe heart disease drugs to treat your child’s heart problem. Digoxin, diuretics, and ACE inhibitors are some of the commonly prescribed heart disease drugs.

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