9 Celebrities with Heart Disease
Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Repair
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An atrial septal defect is an opening in the wall that separates the upper chambers of the heart. It is one of the most common congenital heart defects, which are structural problems that develop before a baby is born or at birth.
When an atrial septal defect is present, some oxygen-rich blood that should have been pumped to the body flows from one side of the heart to the other. This blood is then pumped to the lungs. This creates extra work for one side of the heart.
If an atrial septal defect is large, heart failure may occur, although this is not common in children. Many children have no symptoms. So this defect may not be found until a child is older or becomes an adult.
A heart catheterization can typically be used to close the opening. This prevents blood from flowing between chambers
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What is heart defect repair surgery?
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Heart defect repair is surgery to fix a heart problem that prevents blood from flowing as it should through the heart. The doctor will make a large cut in your chest. The cut is called an incision. It usually is made through the breastbone (sternum). But some types of heart defects are repaired through a cut in the side of the chest between the ribs. The doctor will connect you to a machine that does the jobs of your heart and lungs. It's called a heart-lung bypass machine. This machine lets the doctor stop your heartbeat while he or she works on your heart.
After the heart is repaired, the doctor will restart your heartbeat. He or she will disconnect the heart-lung machine. Then the doctor will use stitches or staples to close the incision in your chest.
Some heart defects can be fixed with one surgery. But it is possible that you may need more than one surgery to fix the defect.
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What to Expect at Home—Your Recovery
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Heart defect repair is surgery to fix a heart problem that prevents blood from flowing normally through the heart.
You can expect the cut (incision) in your chest to be sore for a few weeks. The doctor will take the stitches out of your incision about 1 to 3 weeks after surgery.
You will probably feel more tired than usual for several weeks after surgery. You may be able to do many of your usual activities after 4 to 6 weeks. But you will probably need 2 to 3 months to fully recover.
Some people find that they feel sad or more emotional while they are recovering after this surgery. This may last for up to 6 weeks after surgery. Talk with your doctor if your sadness continues or you have concerns about how you are feeling. Treatment and other support can help you feel better.
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What To Know About Acyanotic Heart Disease
Acyanotic heart disease is a type of congenital heart defect that causes abnormal blood flow. It can range from mild to severe. Babies with the condition can seem out of breath and fatigued.
Congenital heart disease refers to birth defects that affect the heart. They're the most common type of birth defects, affecting nearly 1% of births — or 40,000 infants — per year in the United States.
Congenital heart disease is divided into two broad categories: cyanotic and acyanotic. The most common form is acyanotic, which includes conditions like ventricular septal defect (VSD) and atrial septal defect (ASD).
Read on to learn more about the different forms of acyanotic heart disease, how it's diagnosed, and how it's treated.
There are two categories of congenital heart defects: cyanotic and acyanotic.
Acyanotic is more common, making up about 75% of cases. Cyanotic heart disease affects about 25% of babies with congenital heart disease.
AcyanoticAcyanotic heart disease involves heart defects that cause abnormal blood flow, but oxygen levels in the blood remain typical. Babies born with this condition do not have any immediate symptoms, but health problems can develop over time.
Abnormal blood flow can cause increased blood pressure, putting strain on the heart. This can weaken the heart, increasing the chance of heart failure.
Another potential complication is abnormally high blood pressure in the lungs, which is called pulmonary hypertension. It can cause symptoms such as:
Cyanotic heart disease refers to heart defects that cause abnormal blood flow and low oxygen levels in the blood.
The lack of oxygen in the blood may cause areas of the skin to have a bluish-colored tint. Babies born with this condition may have bluish fingers, toes, lips, or skin.
Other symptoms may include:
There are several different types of acyanotic heart defects that can affect the heart walls, valves, or blood vessels. The most common types include:
Ventricular septal defectVentricular septal defect (VSD) is a hole or opening in the wall that separates the two lower chambers of the heart. These chambers are called ventricles.
Atrial septal defectAtrial septal defect (ASD) is a hole or opening in the wall that separates the two upper chambers of the heart. These chambers are called atria.
Pulmonary valve stenosisThe pulmonary valve is one of four valves that help manage blood flow in the heart. It allows blood to flow from the right ventricle to the artery that delivers blood to the lungs.
Pulmonary valve stenosis occurs when the pulmonary valve becomes narrowed. This means the right ventricle has to work harder to pump blood.
Aortic valve stenosisThe aortic valve allows blood to flow from the left ventricle to the aorta, which is the main artery that moves blood from the heart to the body.
Aortic valve stenosis makes the aortic valve narrower. This makes the left ventricle work harder to move blood to the body.
Patent ductus ateriosusA patent ductus ateriosus (PDA) is a hole in the aorta that hasn't closed. This may cause extra blood to pump from the aorta into the lung arteries.
The heart and lungs may need to work harder, leading to congestion in the lungs.
Symptoms of acyanotic heart disease depend on the type and severity of the defect. In some cases, people born with acyanotic heart disease may not have symptoms until later in life, during childhood or adulthood.
While mild defects may cause no symptoms, more severe defects can cause symptoms such as:
Experts don't know exactly why congenital heart defects happen, but they're likely due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Potential contributing factors include:
Many congenital heart defects are now diagnosed during pregnancy using a type of ultrasound called fetal echocardiogram. This creates images of the developing baby's heart.
However, some congenital heart defects are diagnosed after birth, later in childhood, or into adulthood.
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the heart defect. Some infants and children may need surgery to repair the heart or blood vessels, but others may only need nonsurgical procedures.
One option is a procedure called cardiac catheterization. During this procedure, a doctor inserts a long tube, called a catheter, through the blood vessels into the heart. They can use this to take measurements, perform tests, and repair any issues.
Some heart defects can't be fully repaired, but treatment may still improve blood flow and heart function. Many people with congenital heart defects need specialized long-term care.
About 80% of children with congenital heart disease live into adulthood.
The outlook for infants and children born with congenital heart disease depends on:
According to the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, about 1 in 4 babies with congenital heart disease have a critical congenital heart defect. An estimated 69% of babies with critical defects live to at least 18 years of age.
By comparison, about 95% of babies born with a non-critical congenital heart defect live to 18 years.
Acyanotic heart disease is a type of congenital heart defect that affects blood flow and can range from mild to severe.
While doctors can repair some defects with surgery or other procedures, others can't be fully repaired. However, there are a range of treatment options that mean many babies born with congenital heart defects can live long, healthy lives.
11 Different Types Of Congenital Heart Disease
A congenital heart defect is a condition you're born with. Types of heart defects vary in severity — with some, you'll need surgery as a child, while others don't need treatment until later in life or at all.
Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect. While a heart defect can sound scary, they're not always serious conditions, and some are mild and never need treatment.
However, others are complex and can require multiple surgeries and other treatments over many years. Diagnosing heart defects early means doctors can treat and manage the condition.
Read on to learn more about some common types of congenital heart diseases
An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a birth defect that causes a hole in the septum, the wall that separates the heart's two upper chambers.
All babies are born with some opening between the atria, called the foramen ovale. This usually closes up on its own, but if it doesn't, it might require treatment.
An ASD is different because it's larger and is considered to be a congenital defect. It happens when the tissue between the atria doesn't fully form while the baby is in the womb.
If you have an ASD closed with surgery, you're unlikely to have long-term complications or need any ongoing treatment.
A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a hole in the wall separating the right and left ventricles. This means the heart has to work harder, and fluid can build up in the lungs.
While smaller holes can close up on their own, larger holes need surgery to repair them. The outlook is typically positive, and a long, active life is very possible.
Having an atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD), also known as an atrioventricular canal defect, is a combination of an ASD and VSD. It means you have one or more holes between the atria and the ventricles (the heart's lower chambers).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 out of every 1,859 babies born in the United States every year has an AVSD.
It happens when oxygen-rich blood is allowed to mix with oxygen-poor blood, which means the body's organs receive blood that doesn't have enough oxygen. Symptoms to look out for include a rapid heartbeat, bluish skin, and breathing problems.
Surgery is usually required to repair an AVSD and make sure the affected valves are working normally.
This happens when the aorta, the large artery that leaves the heart, becomes narrowed. It can reduce blood flow and cause high blood pressure.
In mild cases, there may be no obvious symptoms, and the condition can go undetected for years. However, more severe cases may be obvious within a week after birth.
In some cases, the aorta is narrowed further down, which means the upper body gets enough oxygenated blood while the lower body doesn't. This can cause a baby to have a bluish appearance in their lower body but a typical appearance in their upper body.
Treatment options include surgery to repair the narrowed section of the blood vessel or the use of a balloon catheter to widen part of the aorta. A surgeon can also use a catheter may also be used to deliver a stent, which is a tiny tube. This tube will keep the blood vessel open permanently.
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) occurs when the left side of the baby's heart is underdeveloped. It's very rare, affecting just 1 out of every 3,841 babies born in the United States each year.
Medications to strengthen heart function, manage blood pressure, and help the body excrete excess fluids may be started in infancy.
Infants with this condition will usually have a three-part surgery plan that takes place over several years. It includes:
Your doctor might also recommend additional surgeries and medications. In particularly complicated cases, children might need a heart transplant.
This is a heart defect involving the pulmonary valve, which controls blood flow to the lungs. It's a rare condition, affecting about 1 out of every 7,100 babies born in the United States annually.
Among the most obvious symptoms are breathing difficulties in the hours after birth.
In some cases, a balloon catheter or stent can be used to widen the pulmonary artery. For many babies with pulmonary atresia, surgery to repair or replace the pulmonary valve is the best solution.
Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common complex congenital heart defect. It is a combination of four congenital heart defects, including:
Newborns with this condition can have surgery to correct the heart defects. This allows many children to grow up leading healthy, active lives.
Total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR), also known as total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC), is a condition where the veins bringing blood from the lungs to the heart don't connect properly. Blood is pumped from the right side of the heart and back to the right side, skipping the left.
As a result, a baby doesn't get enough oxygenated blood circulating to all the organs, muscles, and other tissues. Treatment is typically surgery to correct how the veins connect.
A baby born with tricuspid atresia has no tricuspid valve. This valve controls the flow of blood from the right atrium down to the right ventricle.
If an infant has this condition, they'll likely have symptoms such as difficulty breathing and fatigue soon after birth. One or more surgeries are usually needed to create a healthy pathway for blood to flow properly.
Dextro-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) means the two main arteries carrying blood from the heart — the aorta and the pulmonary artery — are switched. As a result, oxygen-rich blood is pumped from the heart to the lungs. Oxygen-poor blood gets circulated back out to the body.
The most common treatment is an arterial switch operation. During this, a surgeon moves the two arteries into their correct positions and ensures there is healthy blood flow into and out of the heart.
Truncus arteriosus is a very rare congenital heart defect. It occurs when the main artery leaving the heart remains a single vessel instead of separating into an aorta and pulmonary artery.
Surgery to create two separate arteries can help restore circulation. However, since one of those new arteries is artificial and won't grow as the child grows, further surgeries are often needed to help maintain healthy blood flow to the lungs and body.
The following are answers to commonly asked questions about congenital heart disease.
What is your life expectancy if you have a congenital heart disease?The type and severity of the heart defect, as well as how and when it is treated, all factor into a person's outlook.
The CDC reports that about 81% of people with congenital heart defects live to at least age 35 years. Many of those individuals can expect to live much longer, particularly if their heart problems were treated effectively when they were young.
Is a congenital heart defect ever reversible?There is technically no "cure" for a congenital heart defect, but it can be treated or repaired.
Even with successful treatment, simply having had a congenital heart defect can raise your chance of heart rhythm problems or other complications later in life. It's important to have regular check-ups throughout your lifetime.
Will a congenital heart defect ever go away on its own?The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute reports that most simple congenital heart defects get better on their own and never require surgery or other interventions. However, critical congenital heart defects almost always require at least one surgery and sometimes multiple surgeries as a person's heart grows over time.
Most causes of congenital heart disease are unknown, though in some cases, hereditary factors are at play.
Regardless of the underlying cause of a congenital heart defect, it's important that children receive a timely diagnosis and treatment plan. Most congenital defects go away on their own — while more complex defects require surgeries, they are in the minority.
There may be many surgeries and doctor appointments ahead, but as medical technology and doctor expertise continue to improve, so too do the odds of an individual with a congenital heart defect living a long and healthy life.
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