Heart diseases can impact people of all ages, including children. The good news is that advances in medicine and technology allow children with heart conditions to lead fulfilling lives. To increase awareness, this article from Fitie outlines seven heart diseases that can affect children.
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Congenital Heart Disease (CHD): CHD occurs at birth and results from heart abnormalities. It affects about 1% of newborns in the United States annually. Treatment may involve surgery, catheterization, medication, or even heart transplantation.
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Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis refers to the buildup of fat and cholesterol plaque in arteries. While it progresses over time, risk factors like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure increase children's vulnerability. Regular checkups are advised for those with a family history of heart issues.
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Arrhythmia: Arrhythmia manifests as an irregular heartbeat that deviates from the norm. This condition can impair the heart's ability to pump blood efficiently. Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) is the most common type in children, but other forms include bradycardia (slow rhythm) and conditions like long Q-T syndrome and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.
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Kawasaki Disease: Kawasaki disease predominantly affects children under five years old, leading to inflammation in blood vessels, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. It is a rare condition that can impact the hands, feet, mouth, lips, and throat. Early diagnosis is crucial for treatment.
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Heart Murmurs: Heart murmurs are the soft, swishing sounds heard near the heart during blood flow. While often harmless, they can signal underlying cardiovascular issues. Heart murmurs can be caused by congenital heart disease, fever, or anemia.
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Pericarditis: Pericarditis emerges when the pericardium, the thin heart lining, becomes inflamed or infected. This can accumulate fluid between the layers, affecting the heart's pumping ability. The condition may develop post-surgery due to bacterial infections or connective tissue disorders.
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Rheumatic Heart Disease: Left untreated, streptococcus bacteria responsible for strep throat and scarlet fever can cause rheumatic heart disease. It results in severe and permanent damage to heart valves and muscles. It often appears in children aged 5-15 and may not manifest symptoms until 10-20 years later. Properly treating sore throats with antibiotics can help prevent this condition.
A family history of heart problems can increase a child's risk. Therefore, regular heart health checkups are essential to identify and address potential issues before they become severe.
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Source:
Gill, K. & Story, M. C. (2018). Types of Heart Disease in Children. Healthline. [online]. https://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease/in-children