Adults with congenital heart disease need specialized care
Not all heart problems develop as you age. Some, known as congenital heart disease or congenital heart defects, are present at birth. These birth defects affect the heart walls, valves or major blood vessels and can disrupt how blood flows through the heart to the rest of the body. As a result, some people with congenital heart disease can develop other heart conditions, such as congestive heart failure or arrhythmia.
If you have congenital heart disease, treatment depends on what type of defect you have and how it affects your health and quality of life. Regular visits with a cardiologist can help identify any changes in your condition and ensure you receive the care you need to thrive.
Types of congenital heart disease
Heart valve defects
Heart valve defects, also known as valvular heart disease, are flaws in the valves of the heart.
Your heart has four valves with flaps that open and close to help blood flow in a one-way course through the organ. The aortic valve, for example, has three flaps that allow blood to pass from the heart’s left ventricle into the aorta, a major artery that takes blood to the rest of the body. If you were born with a form of congenital heart disease called a bicuspid aortic valve, you have two flaps instead of three.
A bicuspid aortic valve can lead to aortic stenosis, which is when the valve is narrow or stiff. This forces the heart to work harder to pump enough blood. Aortic stenosis can cause shortness of breath during physical activity, lightheadedness and chest pain. A two-flap valve can also allow blood to leak backward into the ventricle, called regurgitation.
Holes in the heart
A wall called the septum separates the chambers on the left and right sides of your heart. Holes in the septum typically close as a baby grows. But septal defects, or holes in the heart, are those that remain in the wall.
An atrial septal defect, also known as a patent foramen ovale, is a hole between the atria, the heart’s upper chambers. A ventricular septal defect is an opening between the ventricles, or lower chambers.
An atrial septal defect can make you feel like your heart is racing occasionally. An atrial septal defect and a ventricular septal defect can cause shortness of breath.
Blood vessel defects
Some forms of congenital heart disease affect the blood vessels in and around the heart. Patent ductus arteriosus, for example, occurs when a blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus, which normally closes shortly after birth, stays open. This can lead to extra blood entering the pulmonary arteries (arteries in the lungs), straining the heart and lungs. Patent ductus arteriosus can cause shortness of breath.
Another type of defect, transposition of the great arteries, occurs when the roles of two main arteries, the aorta and pulmonary arteries, are reversed. As a result, blood does not flow through the heart as it should, and the body doesn’t get enough oxygen-rich blood. Most people with this form of congenital heart disease have surgery as babies.
Other common congenital heart defects
- Coarctation of the aorta
- Ebstein anomaly
- Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
- Pulmonary stenosis
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Tricuspid atresia
Congenital heart disease symptoms
Symptoms of congenital heart disease can often include:
- Swelling, such as in the feet, ankles or hands
- Shortness of breath
- Fluid retention
- Irregular heart rhythms or palpitations
- Dizziness
- Bluish fingernails, lips or skin
What causes congenital heart disease?
The most common type of birth defect, congenital heart disease, occurs when a baby’s heart doesn’t develop properly during pregnancy. Doctors don’t always know why some babies’ hearts form defects, although genetic changes, some of which can pass from parent to child, may contribute.
Risk factors for having a baby with congenital heart disease include:
- Family history of congenital heart defects
- Certain medications
- Diabetes and other health conditions, such as rubella (German measles)
- Certain genetic disorders
- Alcohol use or smoking during pregnancy
Diagnosing a congenital heart disease
Some people with congenital heart disease are diagnosed as babies or children. Many people, however, don’t learn they have a heart defect until they’re adults.
If your physician suspects a heart defect, they’ll start by asking you about your health history. They’ll also perform a physical exam to check for symptoms of congenital heart disease, such as abnormal heart rhythms or murmurs.
If your physician suspects genetics could play a role in your diagnosis, they may recommend genetic testing to find out whether a gene mutation could be the cause.
To gather more information, your physician may order tests, such as:
Electrocardiogram
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) tracks the electrical signals in the heart to monitor its health and functionality.
Pulse oximetry
Pulse oximetry measures levels of oxygen in the blood, which can be used to detect lower oxygen levels caused by certain congenital heart defects.
Imaging tests
Imaging tests, such as echocardiograms, cardiac CT scans, and MRIs, provide detailed pictures of the heart to identify problematic areas and abnormalities.
Treatment for congenital heart disease
No two cases of congenital heart disease are alike. Your heart and vascular team will create a treatment plan just for you.
If you have a mild form of congenital heart disease, you may not need treatment. Instead, your cardiologist may recommend regular checkups to ensure your heart functions well and symptoms aren’t affecting your quality of life.
No matter what your treatment plan entails, it’s important to follow it closely. Take your medications as prescribed and don’t stop or start medicine without talking to your physician. Keep all checkup appointments so your healthcare provider can track how your treatment plan is working. Make healthy lifestyle changes to help protect your heart and complement your treatment. Finally, if you notice any new or worsening symptoms, tell your physician right away so you can work together to address them.
If you have concerning symptoms or the heart defect poses a risk to your health, a variety of treatments are available, including:
- Medications to treat problems related to congenital heart disease, such as high blood pressure, heart failure and arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms)
- Cardiac catheterization to repair certain heart defects, such as simple holes in the heart
- Open-heart or minimally invasive surgery to repair or replace a heart valve or correct your congenital heart disease
- Heart transplant surgery, which may be an option depending on your condition and the severity of your illness
Find a location near you
We help you get care at a location that fits your needs. We offer several locations for congenital heart disease care, including specialized centers in North and Central Texas.
AccentCare - Fort Worth
3880 Hulen St , Fort Worth, TX, 76107
AccentCare Home Health of Brenham
526 W Main St , Brenham, TX, 77833
AccentCare Home Health of College Station
119 Medical Park Lane Ste C, Huntsville, TX, 77340
AccentCare Home Health of College Station
1605 Rock Prairie Rd Ste 206, College Station, TX, 77845
AccentCare Home Health Of Denton
225 W. Mulberry St. Ste A, Denton, TX, 76201
AccentCare Home Health Of Desoto
911 York Drive Ste 203, DeSoto, TX, 75115
AccentCare Home Health Of Fort Worth (Arlington)
700 Highlander Blvd Ste 205, Arlington, TX, 76015
AccentCare Home Health of Huntsville
122 Medical Park Lane B , Huntsville, TX, 77340
AccentCare Home Health of Marble Falls
1100 Mission Hills Dr Ste 100, Marble Falls, TX, 78654
AccentCare Home Health Of McKinney
6800 Weiskopf Ave Ste 100, McKinney, TX, 75070
AccentCare Home Health Of Taylor (Hutto)
567 Chris Kelley Blvd Ste 201, Hutto, TX, 78634
AccentCare Home Health Of Temple
3809 S General Bruce Dr Ste 105B, Temple, TX, 76502
AccentCare Home Health Of Waco
8300 Central Park Dr Ste A, Waco, TX, 76712
AdventHealth Central Texas
2201 S Clear Creek Rd , Killeen, TX, 76549
Andrews Women's Hospital at Baylor Scott & White - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White - Hillcrest Infectious Disease Clinic
50 Hillcrest Medical Blvd MOB1, Ste 104, Waco, TX, 76712
Baylor Scott & White - Plano Brain and Spine Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 810, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White - Texas Brain and Spine Institute
900 Scott and White Dr , College Station, TX, 77845
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White - Texas Brain and Spine Institute - Huntsville
122 Medical Park Ln Ste A, Huntsville, TX, 77340
Baylor Scott & White - The Brenham Clinic
600 N Park St , Brenham, TX, 77833
- Monday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White 65+ Clinic
4716 Alliance Blvd Ste 500, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Cardiac Imaging Specialists
1100 Allied Dr , Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Cardiovascular and Imaging Consultants
4708 Alliance Blvd Ste 450, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Digestive Care
3434 Swiss Ave Ste 200, Dallas, TX, 75204
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart and Lung Disease Center - Fort Worth
1420 8th Ave Ste 103, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd , Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Decatur
2401 S FM 51 Ste 200, Decatur, TX, 76234
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Denton
3333 Colorado Blvd , Denton, TX, 76210
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Idabel, OK
4 SE Avenue A , Idabel, OK, 74745
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Keller (Satellite)
3124 N Tarrant Pkwy Ste 204, Keller, TX, 76177
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - McKinney (Satellite)
5236 W University Dr Ste 4450, McKinney, TX, 75071
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Mt Pleasant (Satellite)
1011 N Jefferson Ave , Mt Pleasant, TX, 75455
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Paris
875 S Collegiate Dr , Paris, TX, 75462
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Plano
4716 Dexter Dr Ste 100, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sherman Sycamore (Satellite)
203 E Sycamore St , Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care – Sherman Highland (Satellite)
300 N Highland Ave , Sherman, TX, 75092
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Irving
2001 N MacArthur Blvd Bldg 1, Ste 360, Irving, TX, 75061
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Abilene
1219 E South 11th St Ste B2, Abilene, TX, 79602
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Amarillo
1901 Medi Park Dr Ste 2051, Amarillo, TX, 79106
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Lubbock
3711 22nd St Ste B, Lubbock, TX, 79410
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Midland/Odessa
420 E 6th St Ste 102, Odessa, TX, 79761
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Waxahachie
2360 N Interstate 35E MOB 2, Ste 310, Waxahachie, TX, 75165
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Specialists - Fort Worth
1250 8th Ave Ste 200, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Lung Disease Specialists - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Ambulatory Endoscopy Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 210, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm