Congenital refers to a condition that an individual is born with. Both adults and children with congenital heart disease may experience altered blood flow through the heart. Congenital heart disease results in a condition of abnormality that develops within the heart or blood arteries before birth. The heart’s structure or vessels in the foetal stage during pregnancy do not form appropriately as they should, resulting in congenital heart disease. Congenital heart disease might range from straightforward illnesses with no symptoms to complex illnesses with severe, sometimes fatal symptoms.
Adult patients suffering from congenital heart disease are categorised into two groups: the first group consists of patients who were operated on in childhood and are now leading a healthy life in their adulthood; the second group consists of patients who were initially diagnosed as adults. Adult congenital heart disease can slip between the cracks despite the fact that the adults suffering from the disease should be receiving care. Understanding congenital heart disease that manifests in adulthood and its appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring in adult patients is considered important.
Causes of Congenital Heart Disease
Any structural issue with the heart's early development leads to congenital heart disease. The abnormality interferes with the normal blood flow through the heart that eventually affects the breathing rate of the individual. Although the actual reason for the heart's improper development is still unknown, the following are the major causes:
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The heart condition could be inherited (may run in families).
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Prescription drugs used during pregnancy increase the risk of abnormal heart conditions in the unborn child.
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Pregnant women who are addicted to alcohol or illegal drugs increase the risk of abnormal heart conditions in the unborn child.
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Mothers who are already infected in their first trimester of pregnancy are more likely to give birth to a child with a heart defect.
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Childhood development can be affected due to the chances of increased blood sugar levels, such as in the condition of diabetes.
Risks of Congenital Heart Disease
Other risk factors involving environmental and genetic risk factors increase the risk of developing congenital heart disease, which is discussed below.
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Genetics
Congenital heart diseases are inherited (they appear to run in families) and are mainly associated with genetic syndromes. The genetic syndrome is diagnosed while the baby is in the mother’s womb. Some of the common genetic conditions include:
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Down’s syndrome
It is the most common genetic condition that causes congenital heart disease. Children with Down’s syndrome are born with some of the disability as a result of a genetic abnormality.
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Turner’s syndrome
This genetic condition only affects females. Children born with Turner’s syndrome develop the risk of developing congenital syndrome, causing valve or artery narrowing problems.
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Noonan syndrome
It is a type of genetic disorder causing various symptoms, mainly involving the pulmonary valve stenosis.
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Maternal diabetes
Women who have diabetes give birth to babies with a high risk of congenital heart disease. Women with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of congenital heart disease.
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German measles (rubella)
The occurrence of rubella in women during pregnancy affects the development of the baby’s heart in the mother’s womb.
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Medications
Not all medicines are recommended for pregnant women as they increase the risk of congenital heart disease. At our Cardiology Hospital in Kolkata, we take care of all the risks involved in the treatment. Common medications include:
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Anti-seizure medicines
Includes benzodiazepines.
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Acne medicines
Includes isotretinoin and topical retinoids for treating acne.
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Ibuprofen
Women taking the painkiller ibuprofen during the pregnancy period of 30 or more weeks have an increased risk of delivering a baby with heart abnormalities.
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Lithium
It is taken for bipolar disorder and may increase the risk of heart abnormalities.
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Alcohol consumption and Smoking
Alcohol consumption and smoking habits during pregnancy increase the risk of heart abnormalities in the baby.
Symptoms of Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital heart disease may not be diagnosed until after birth, during childhood, or even after birth. It is common to have any abnormalities in the heart or to have no symptoms at all. Consult with our Cardiologist in Kolkata if you feel any symptoms of Congenital Heart Disease, some of the symptoms are:
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Shortness of breath
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Poor exercise tolerance
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Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
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Feeling tired
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Swelling of the body tissues and related organs (edema)
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Appearance of blue skin, lips and fingernails (cyanosis)
Dr. Prof. Partha Sarathi Banerjee
Consultant - Cardiology
Manipal Hospitals, Salt Lake, Kolkata
