Congenital Heart Disease

Adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) is a term for conditions that affect your heart’s structure. These heart defects impact blood flow. Symptoms may include fatigue, heart murmur and arrhythmia.

Causes #

You may also have a higher risk of ACHD if your birthing parent:

• Had rubella or influenza (flu) during the first three months of pregnancy.

• Had Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes.

• Took certain medications for acne, bipolar disorder or seizures.

• Took ibuprofen when 30 weeks or more pregnant.

Symptoms #

• Bluish fingernails, lips and skin (cyanosis).

• Dizziness.

• Fatigue, including getting tired quickly with activity.

• Heart murmur.

• Heart palpitations.

• Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmia).

• Shortness of breath (dyspnea).

• Swelling (edema) of the ankles, feet or hands.

Diagnosis #

• Cardiac catheterization, which can also be a treatment.

• Chest X-ray.

• Echocardiogram (echo).

• Electrocardiogram (EKG).

• Exercise stress test.

• Heart MRI and heart CT scan.

• Pulse oximetry.

• Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE).

Prevention #

• Leading a healthy lifestyle.

• Letting all your healthcare providers and dentists know you have ACHD.

• Regularly visiting a cardiologist specializing in ACHD.

• Taking antibiotics before medical and dental surgeries, if recommended by your cardiologist.

• Taking good care of your teeth and seeing your dentist regularly to prevent infections.

• Talk to your healthcare provider if you are considering becoming pregnant.

Treatment #

Medications #

Certain drugs can help your heart work better, including:

• ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers.

• Anticoagulants.

• Beta-blockers.

• Water pills (diuretics).

Implantable heart devices #

Your provider may implant a device to control your heart rate (pacemaker) or fix an irregular heartbeat (implantable cardioverter defibrillator or ICD).

Cardiac catheterization #

During cardiac catheterization, your provider inserts a thin tube (catheter) through a blood vessel in your groin. They guide the catheter to your heart. This procedure can help repair atrial septal defects. Your provider may also use a catheter with a tiny balloon to widen arteries (angioplasty) or valves (valvotomy).

Surgery #

Your surgeon may perform heart valve surgery to repair or replace one or more of your heart valves. This can be open-heart surgery or minimally invasive heart surgery. Your surgeon can also fix more complex congenital heart defects through heart surgery.

Heart transplant #

People with life-threatening congenital heart disease may need a complete heart transplant.