Types of Heart Disease in Children and How They Are Treated
Learn the types of heart disease in children, from congenital defects and arrhythmia to atherosclerosis and pericarditis, and how each is treated.
Heart disease doesn't only affect adults and the elderly. Children can also develop this, the deadliest of diseases. In some cases, the symptoms of heart disease in children are vague and barely noticeable, while other types show clear signs and symptoms. Here's the full rundown!
Types of Heart Disease Children Can Develop
1. Congenital heart defects
Children can develop heart disease for several reasons, one of which is congenital. These defects can be present when a baby is born. There are several congenital heart defects a child may have, depending on where in the heart the problem lies: the heart valves, the walls between the chambers or the blood vessels.
A common example is narrowing of the aortic valve in hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition in which the left side of the heart doesn't develop fully. Other defects include holes in the wall between the chambers or in the blood vessels. This type of heart disease can be treated with a catheter, surgery, medication or even a heart transplant.
2. Arrhythmia
This condition is a heart rhythm disorder in which the heartbeat is abnormal or the heart works less efficiently. Arrhythmia is actually more common in adults, but children can be affected too. Treatment for this type of pediatric heart disease depends on the specific kind of arrhythmia.
3. Atherosclerosis
This medical term refers to the buildup of fat and cholesterol-filled plaque in the arteries. When the buildup gets out of control, the arteries narrow. This raises the risk of serious complications such as blood clots and heart attacks.
Atherosclerosis usually affects adults, older people and the elderly. However, children with diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity can also develop it. It can be managed in several ways, such as switching to a healthier diet and exercising regularly.
4. Pericarditis
Pericarditis is inflammation of the thin membrane that surrounds the heart. The inflammation can cause the heart to function abnormally, and it can also reduce the heart's ability to pump blood.
This heart condition has several possible causes, including surgery to treat chest trauma, bacterial infections and coronary heart disease. Treatment for this type of pediatric heart disease depends on how severe it is and on the child's health.
Those are some of the types of disease that can affect a child's heart. All of them can be treated, depending on the type of disease, the child's age and their overall health. For the best care, you can trust Heartology.
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