FAQs for Adults with Congenital Heart Disease
Many people believe that only children will have congenital heart disease but this is far from the truth. Adults can also have congenital heart diseases that have remained undetected and untreated, so their risks are similar in many instances to the risks borne by children with the same condition.
Here are a few FAQs from the doctors of our Cardiology clinic, that adults with congenital heart diseases may have on their minds.
Does a Congenital Heart Disease Last Your Lifetime?
Ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, and ductus arteriosus – these are just a few of the congenital heart diseases known in modern science and technology. Keep in mind that congenital heart diseases are acquired after birth from one or several causes, such as infection, trauma, and incomplete fetal development, among others.
Sadly, congenital heart disease stays for a lifetime but there is hope for most conditions. Options in treatment include surgery, medicines, and catheter-based therapy, the details of which will differ depending on the exact nature of the disease.
Many children born with certain heart conditions even live to be active, healthy and normally functioning adults! Many also live to be adults without exhibiting any symptoms until another health issue enters the picture.
What are the Treatments?
The treatment for congenital heart disease depends on the specific problem. Sometimes, nothing can be done because the condition will either resolve by itself or the body can deal with it without putting the person at risk. Sometimes, a series of invasive surgeries as well as the placement of special devices are necessary for a good quality of life, even survival. Sometimes, the series of surgery can start out in childhood or can only be done during older years.
A few examples of the treatments include:
- Catheter procedures
These are easier on patients than surgery since doctors will not open the chest to operate directly on the heart and to repair its defects – only a needle puncture in the skin for the catheter to be inserted into the vein or artery is necessary. The recovery is faster and easier especially for cases of simple heart defects, such as pulmonary valve stenosis and atrial septal defect.
In atrial septal defect, for example, a catheter with an umbrella-like device is inserted into a vein in the groin, threaded into the heart’s septum, and then removed while leaving the device to plug up the atrial holes. The body’s normal tissues will then grow in and over the closure device within 6 months, allowing it to be absorbed.
- Surgery
Doctors usually perform open-heart surgery when the congenital heart disease cannot be treated with catheter procedure. It must be emphasized, however, that a single surgery may not completely repair the defect so a series of surgeries over several months, even years, may be necessary to fix the condition.
Open-heart surgery is usually performed to close holes in the heart using patches or stitches; replace or repair heart valves; widen arteries; and repair complex defects.
Of course, these procedures have their risks and rewards so in-depth discussions with your doctor are a must for success.
Healthpointe is a leading multidisciplinary healthcare organization offering a full range of medical services in practice locations throughout Southern California (Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County). Healthpointe has locations situated in over 10 cities in Southern California including La Mirada, which is conveniently located by Whittier, La Habra, Norwalk, Cerritos, Buena Park, and Santa Fe Springs. As a highly regarded musculoskeletal group, we have a personal investment in the highest level of service, and we are proud of our record of excellence over the last four decades with private patients, injured workers, urgent care, personal injuries, and professional and non-professional athletes. Leading our organization is a dynamic team of healthcare professionals who continually strive to be at the forefront of medical innovation and healthcare service delivery. For more information, a complete list of services, and Healthpointe locations, visit Healthpointe.net.