Uncovering Adult Congenital Heart Disease on the Central Coast
In a normally functioning heart, blood moves through the heart chambers taking in oxygen-depleted blood and pumping out oxygen-rich blood. If you have congenital heart disease, this process is interrupted by a problem with a heart valve, chamber wall, vein, or artery.
Adult congenital heart disease refers to structural heart issues present at birth but that go undetected until later in life. This condition also describes an abnormality causing symptoms in an adult who went through surgery as a child to repair the defect.
Dignity Health Central Coast offers personal care when diagnosing and treating all cardiovascular conditions. Find a Doctor today to help you uncover adult congenital heart disease on the Central Coast of California.
Personal Care for Adult Congenital Heart Disease at Dignity Health Central Coast
There are a number of congenital heart defects that can affect your heart function. The most common of these is a ventricular septal defect, where a hole in the wall of the heart’s lower chambers is noticed in adults after heart attack or heart surgery.
Other types of congenital heart disease defects include:
- Atrial septal defect
- Coarctation of the aorta
- Eisenmenger syndrome
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Ebstein’s anomaly
- Transposition of the great arteries
- Patent ductus arteriosus
- Pulmonary stenosis (pulmonary valve stenosis)
Symptoms caused by these defects can depend on the type of defect and how, or if, it was treated in childhood. They range from breathlessness to fainting and, sometimes, causes a blue tint to the skin (cyanosis) during physical exertion.
Speak with one of our cardiac care specialists at Dignity Health Central Coast if you have concerns about your symptoms.
Personalized Treatment for Adult Congenital Heart Disease
You may never know the cause of your congenital heart disease. While it can occur with health conditions, such as Down syndrome, it often arises in adults from heart failure after a childhood repair or in symptoms occurring from a previously unnoticed defect.
At Dignity Health Central Coast, we care about your heart health and understand your concerns. Our cardiac care team will work with you on the best treatment for your well-being. Our goal is to restore your heart’s function and lessen your symptoms.
Specific congenital heart disease treatment depends on the type of heart defect and severity. You can expect to routinely follow-up with your Dignity Health Central Coast cardiologist regarding your care, which usually includes lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery.
Special risks are involved for women with congenital heart disease when family planning. If you are starting a family or concerned about your condition, contact Dignity Health Central Coast to speak to a doctor about treatment of adult congenital heart disease.
Dignity Health’s compassionate team of heart specialists can provide diagnosis and treatment for adult congenital heart disease on the Central Coast.