Put rainwater to use in your landscape with the help of rain barrels. This centuries old technique allows you to … Read More→
Depression is a common and serious mental health condition, which can negatively affect how you feel, how you think, and … Watch Video→
Fixed-annuity guarantees more income for penalty-free early withdrawals from retirement plans. Post-pandemic, more people want to tap their retirement plans … Read More→
Occasionally it makes sense to cancel a new policy and get a better one. With most financial products, you’re committed … Read More→
Add a little spicy seasoning to a low sodium meal, and adults over the age of 60 may have a … Read More→
Stop playing mind games with your food. Mind games are all about the illusion of control. We decide certain foods … Read More→
When most people think of Botox®, they think of it as a treatment that smooths forehead wrinkles with the goal … Read More→
More than 1 in 5 adults is inactive in all but four states, according to new state maps of adult … Read More→
A new study found risk factors for heart disease and stroke were higher among adults who said they experienced childhood … Read More→
Black children with asthma accessed community health centers (CHCs) less than white children, while Latino children (who prefer to speak … Read More→
Extreme athletes are not at increased risk of heart disease or death.
Prenatal exposure to a certain air pollutant may increase autism risk in children.
Congenital heart disease is a term used to describe heart conditions in infants, children, and adults that are caused by abnormalities in prenatal heart development (congenital heart defects). Congenital heart disease causes the most deaths within the first year of life compared to any other birth defect, and affects approximately 500,000 American adults.
Among the most common of congenital heart diseases are:
The following are risk factors for congenital heart disease:
Tests for congenital heart diseases can occur at varying stages of life.
Pre-natal tests for congenital heart disease include:
Infancy, childhood, and adulthood diagnostic tests include:
Many congenital heart diseases do not show signs or symptoms, and are only detected upon the first major event (i.e. heart attack, heart failure). However, certain severe congenital heart diseases can present symptoms upon birth. These symptoms include:
The mortality rate for congenital heart disease depends largely on the type of defect. Many infants born with congenital heart disease live healthy lives with minimal restrictions. Most will need to monitor their hearts during times of sickness due to a susceptibility to infection.
There is not much you can do about having a congenital heart disease, though there are things you can do to improve your overall heart health and reduce your risk of heart attack/failure:
Screening for congenital heart disease begins in utero, with ultrasound imaging of the fetal heart. Infants, toddlers, and children, are then monitored for signs of heart irregularities by their pediatricians at their annual physicals.
Promoting overall heart health will help to lower your risk of heart defect complications such as heart attack and heart failure. The following are tips for a heart healthy lifestyle:
Most congenital heart diseases cannot be cured with medications, though medications can help manage symptoms, treat complications, and prevent future damaging cardiac events. These include:
Side effects of antiarrhythmics include:
Side effects of anticoagulants and antiplatelet medications include:
Because anticoagulants lengthened the time required to form a blood clot, patients taking anticoagulants are at a higher risk for excessive bleeding and hemorrhaging. Speak to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking anticoagulants. It is especially important to take into consideration this potentially life threatening side effect.
Side effects of diuretics include:
Side effects of direct-acting vasodilators include:
In many cases, surgery may be necessary to cure a congenital disease. Surgeries vary in levels of complication and can be performed at any age. Many infants with serious congenital heart defects require immediate operation.
The following list of heart health supplements is offered by the University of Maryland Medical Center that may help lower the overall risk of heart disease for individuals with congenital heart defects. Always check with your cardiologist or primary doctor before adding supplements to your regimen for treating and preventing heart failure. Many people with heart conditions take multiple medications, including blood-thinning medications, blood pressure medications, and others. The supplements below may interact with these (and other medications) and may not be right for people with certain medical conditions.
Stress reduction practices. Since stress is associated with heart disease, it’s prudent to try techniques to help reduce it. The following methods have been shown to reduce stress in some people:
Call 911 if you are experiencing the symptoms of a HEART ATTACK which include:
You should not hesitate to call 911 if you are experiencing any of these symptoms that come on suddenly. You could be having a STROKE.
You will probably have different questions to ask your doctor depending on your heart condition. Be open about all your concerns. If you’re having difficulty focusing, bring along a friend or family member. Below you’ll find general questions you might want to ask your doctor about heart disease as suggested by the American Heart Association.
QUESTIONS ABOUT MEDICATION
QUESTIONS ABOUT DIET
QUESTIONS ABOUT EXERCISE
How to Reduce Stress and Boost Your Immune System While Social Distancing
Extreme Exercise and Heart Health
What Blocks Self-Awareness
Oyster dressing – as strange as it might sound (possibly conjuring images of the bivalve dressed up with a b ...
This light cocktail is inspired by the herb garden. And the lavender simple syrup in this drink is irresistibl ...
Cilantro is an amazing detoxifying herb – and it also has fantastic flavor. It pairs perfectly with pine ...