February is American Heart Month. The well-publicized observancy does a ton to raise money and awareness for preventable heart disease. And with cardiovascular disease ranking as the number one killer of men and women in the US, the attention is fitting. However, there's a subset of heart disease that isn't preventable. This subset affects the most vulnerable population”babies.
Congenital Heart Defects: The Most Common Type Of Birth Defect
Congenital heart defect is when a child is born with a structural issue with his heart. They don't develop as the result of lifestyle choices like other types of heart disease, like cardiovascular disease.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Doctors may diagnose a heart defect during pregnancy or after the child is born. No matter when the diagnosis happens, the news challenges any family.
While congential heart defects are sometimes referred to as congenital heart disease, “defect” better reflects the issue. The heart hasn't developed fully in the womb, and so the child is born with a defect.
Differences Between Congenital Heart Defect and Cardiovascular Disease
| Preventable | No | Yes |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Age at Diagnosis | 20 weeks gestation or during infance | 45+ for men, 55+ for women |
| Treatmeant Options |
|
|
| How many people have condition? | 2 million Americans | 85.6 milling Americans |
| Most Common Type Cause |
ventricular septial defect: A hole in the wall separating the two lower chambers of the heart. Can cause higher pressure in heart and less oxygen in the body.
|
coronary artery disease: Plaque clogs the heart's larger arteries and less oxygen gets to the heart.
|
Source: National Institutes of Health; Center for Disease Control and Prevention 1, 2; American Heart Association 1, 2
3 Things To Know If Your Child Is Diagnosed with A Congenital Heart Defect
1. There is hope.
Medical treatment and advancements have helped people with heart defects living longer, healthier lives.
For the first time in history, there are more adults living with congenital heart defects than children, according to the Children's Heart Foundation.
Some people are able to live independently. Others might develop disabilities or complications later in life. There's no way to know ahead of time. So take it one day at a time.
2. The importance of self-care.
If your child is diagnosed with a critical heart defect, he may require a lot of extra care. This could mean:
- Being in and out of the hospital
- Eating special diets at home
- Preparing for surgeries or heart transplant
As a parent and primary care taker, you'll need to be in the best condition possible to take care of your child.
Don't forget to take care of yourself, too. Your to-do list should include:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Getting adequate sleep
- Staying active
- Connecting to your friends and family
- Finding the emotional support you need
Thinking of yourself may seem selfish at first, but if you're not well, taking care of your child will be even more challenging.
3. You're not alone.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Although heart defects don't get as much attention as preventable cardiovascular diseases, there are a lot of resources and support groups for parents who have kids with heart conditions.
Facebook groups and other online communities provide great ways to connect with others who are going through similar situations. This could be a good source of practical information and emotional support.
If your child has been diagnosed with a heart defect, schedule an appointment today with an EIRMC physician.
$webqFacilityNumber
Need a Physician?