World Heart Day 2024: This heart disease occurs from birth, these 7 symptoms can appear at any time

World Heart Day is celebrated every year on 29 September to increase awareness about heart related diseases. There are many heart-related problems that occur with increasing age, but there are also some diseases that a child is born with. One of these is chronic heart disease (CHD).

Millions of people in the world are suffering from CHD, a common congenital heart problem. CHD is a major public health problem in India due to lack of healthcare access. CHD most often occurs in children, but it can also appear in people of different ages.

Dr. Amit Mishri, Associate Director, Clinical and Preventive Cardiology, Cardiac Care, Medanta, GurugramAccording to , some people start experiencing symptoms in childhood, while others do not experience any symptoms until adulthood. CHD can affect not only an individual but the entire family and society. The doctor has further explained about the causes, symptoms, types, diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Causes and symptoms of chronic heart disease
It is not known why CHD occurs, but it can have the following reasons:

• Genetic: CHD already exists in the family
• Birth mother: Mother’s age at the time of birth, diabetes, or her taking certain medications
• Environment: exposure to certain chemicals or infections during pregnancy
• Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing, swelling in the legs, ankles or feet, reduced blood supply to the limbs, fatigue and fast or uneven heartbeats.

Types of CHD

• Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
• Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
• Tetralogy of Fallot: simultaneous occurrence of VSD, pulmonary stenosis, overriding aorta, and right ventricular hypertrophy.
• Shrinking of the aorta.

Diagnosis of CHD
CHD can be diagnosed during pregnancy or soon after birth. Diagnostic tests include:

• echocardiogram
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• chest X-ray
• cardiac catheterization

CHD treatment
Some CHDs resolve on their own, while other CHDs require medical treatment or surgery.

medical management
Medicines: Sometimes medicines provide relief from the symptoms of CHD. These include:

• diuretics
• beta-blockers
• digoxin
• blood thinners

surgical procedure
Open Heart Surgery: If CHD is severe, open heart surgery may be required. In this, during heart surgery, blood circulation in the body is done by a heart-lung machine.
Minimally invasive surgery: In minimally invasive surgery, CHD is treated by making a small incision, which causes less damage to the surrounding tissues.
By catheter: CHD is repaired by inserting a catheter through the blood vessel. This procedure is done to close the hole in the heart, open the narrowed blood vessels, and improve the functioning of the heart.

modern treatment
Recent advances in medical technology have provided new and innovative treatments for CHD. These include:
Hybrid procedures: Treatment of CHD by surgery and catheter. These are used for serious cases.
3D Printing: 3D printing technology is used for more personalized and precise treatments.
Stem cell therapy: Stem cell therapy is currently under research for the treatment of CHD.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It cannot in any way be a substitute for any medicine or treatment. Always consult your doctor for more information.