If you have symptoms of an ill cardiovascular system or heart, you should seek immediate diagnosis and remedy. Prompt medical management or treatment of heart disease Fort Worth can protect you against potential severe complications.
Remember that heart disease is a collective name representing various issues associated with the heart and cardiovascular system.
One of the prevalent illnesses that you or your loved one can have is a congenital heart defect. Below are a few things you should understand concerning heart defects that develop before a baby’s birth.
What are congenital heart problems?
Congenital heart conditions are problems associated with the heart’s blood vessels or the heart. They affect the baby before birth. According to the Hopkins Medicine Organization, about 1% of infants in America are born with heart defects.
Usually, most causes of cardiovascular illnesses that affect while they are still in the womb remain a mystery. However, published research from some clinical studies shows that a viral infection affecting a pregnant mom can also be passed to the unborn child. Because the unborn baby’s immune system is weak, the viral infection can harm the heart.
Your unborn baby can also develop a hereditary heart condition because you used to drink alcohol or smoke while pregnant.
If you have a heart defect, blood may not flow normally through your heart. Additionally, blood flow might be blocked in your heart’s vessels.
Forms of congenital heart disease
If you or your baby has a defective heart, expect symptoms such as labored breathing and excessive sleepiness. Also, your lips and nails can have a blue tint.
There are many forms of congenital heart issues. Some are simple, while others are complex. One of the critical congenital heart issues is an atrial septal defect. It is identified by a perforation in the heart’s septum. The heart’s septum is a wall of soft tissues separating your heart into the right and left sections.
That heart defect will cause the left atrium blood to enter the right atrium instead of flowing to the rest of your body. If the hole in the heart’s septum does not close automatically, surgery can correct it.
Another serious heart issue that a baby can be born with is a ventricular septal defect. It involves an opening (hole) appearing on the ventricular septum. The ventricular septum separates the heart’s two ventricles (lower chambers).
A sizable hole in the wall separating the two ventricles will force your lungs and heart to function strenuously. Additionally, fluid buildup can appear in your lungs.
Management of congenital heart disease
Your heart doctor can recommend you adopt certain lifestyle modifications. These can include quitting smoking, losing excess body fat, and becoming more physically active.
For instance, stair climbing and swimming are routine moderate exercises that can strengthen your cardiovascular system and heart. Avoid engaging in activities that can strain your cardiovascular system and worsen your congenital heart problem.
Medications can also help treat or control a congenital heart problem. Prescribed medicines can help manage a healthy heart rate and blood pressure.
Contact Clover Internal Medicine Associates today to book an appointment with a doctor offering a proactive approach to treating or managing heart disease.
