Detecting Adult Congenital Heart Disease in Central California

A normal heart pumps oxygenated blood through your body and back again to be refueled with oxygen. If you are one of the many people with adult congenital heart disease, this process is interrupted by a problem with a heart valve, chamber wall, vein, or artery.

With adult congenital heart disease, your heart has a structural issue that was present at birth but went undetected until later in life. This condition also describes a heart abnormality causing symptoms in an adult who went through surgery as a child to repair the defect.

Dignity Health Central California doctors will diagnose this cardiovascular condition and provide treatment with humankindness. Find a Doctor today to determine if you have adult congenital heart disease in Central California.

 

Care for Adult Congenital Heart Disease at Dignity Health Central California

A congenital heart defect refers to a problem in your heart that you have had since birth. There are a number of congenital heart defects that can affect how your heart works. A ventricular septal defect, where a hole in the wall of your heart’s lower chambers is noticed in adulthood after a heart attack or heart surgery, is the most common congenital heart defects. 

Other congenital heart disease defects include:

  • Tetralogy of Fallot
  • Ebstein’s anomaly
  • Transposition of the great arteries
  • Atrial septal defect
  • Coarctation of the aorta
  • Eisenmenger syndrome
  • Patent ductus arteriosus
  • Pulmonary stenosis (pulmonary valve stenosis)

Congenital heart disease symptoms caused by these defects can depend on the type of defect and how, or if, it was treated in childhood. Breathlessness, fainting and, sometimes, the development of a blue tint to the skin (cyanosis) during physical exertion are symptoms you need to report to your doctor.

If you have concerns about your symptoms, talk to one of our Dignity Health Central California cardiac care specialists. Your treatment plan will provide care to heal your mind, body, and spirit.

 

Personalized Adult Congenital Heart Disease Treatment

Congenital heart disease can occur with health conditions, such as Down syndrome. In addition, it can develop in adults from heart failure after a childhood repair or in symptoms occurring from a previous defect.

If you’re diagnosed with adult congenital heart disease, humankindness is the center of your heart health treatment at Dignity Health Central California. Our cardiac care team will develop a personalized plan for your well-being. We work with you to restore your heart’s function and reduce your symptoms.

Adult congenital heart disease treatment depends on the type of heart defect and severity. You should routinely follow up with your cardiologist regarding your care plan, which may include lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery.

Women with congenital heart disease have special risks when family planning. If you are starting a family or concerned about your condition, talk to your doctor about treating adult genital heart disease in Central California.

Dignity Health Central California diagnoses and treats adult congenital heart disease in Bakersfield, and Stockton, CA.