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Adults who had operations as children sometimes need new repairs. The wear-and-tear of time, aging, and growth can reduce the effectiveness of their first surgery. Whether your cardiologist finds that you need surgery or re-surgery, you will want to understand your defect, the recommended operation, and the expected results.
Having a heart defect does not automatically mean you need an operation. Many heart defects do not need surgery, and some do not require treatment of any kind. It is possible for your cardiologist to find that drug therapy (medical treatment) is effective for you. For example, the drug digoxin can be used to regulate the force of the heart as it beats.
Follow-up heart checkups are usually necessary to ensure that your heart maintains its maximum health. These are scheduled more often (that is, days, weeks, months) just after the diagnosis or surgery and less often later. Tests that regularly monitor your progress may be needed, depending upon your problem. Be prepared for:
Sometimes the initial tests will not provide enough information for a diagnosis. Then your cardiologist may suggest that you have additional special tests. These might include any of the following:
Your heart normally beats regularly at 50-150 beats per minute. This rate will vary depending on your age, sex, and degree of fitness. The medical term for an abnormality of heart rhythm isarrhythmia or dysrhythmia.
During congestive heart failure the heart cannot pump out all the blood that returns to it.
Young women with congenital heart defects often have special concerns when they think about having a baby. Two of the most commonly asked questions are: "Is my heart strong enough for a pregnancy?" and "Will my baby have a heart problem?"
Bacterial endocarditis (BE) is an infection caused by bacteria that enter the bloodstream and settle in the heart lining (endocardium), a heart valve, or a blood vessel. It is a serious illness needing prompt medical attention.
Most people with a congenital heart defect can be fully active. They do not need restrictions. You are encouraged to participate in physical activities that help keep your heart fit and that you can enjoy for a lifetime. Such healthful activities include swimming, bicycling, tennis, and low-impact aerobics. In a few specific heart conditions, your cardiologist may advise you against some intense physical activities such as competitive or contact sports.
We are relocating our ISACHD semiannual meetings to where our members most frequently gather. Hence there will be no ISACHD meeting in Orlando at ACC in March, but we look forward to welcoming you to a business meeting to update you on our Society and its exciting developments at the 28th International Symposium on Adult Congenital Heart Disease in Toronto, June 6-9, 2018, Marriott Downtown, Eaton Centre
held on Sunday, November 12, 2017, 1-3 pm in the main hall of the Anaheim Conv. Center. Read more
Ted Rogers Chair in Adult Congenital Heart Disease, University Health Network, Toronto (Ca) The Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research and the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre at University Health Network (UHN), a University of Toronto (U of T) teaching hospital, are seeking applicants for the inaugural Ted Rogers Chair in Adult Congenital Heart Disease. (read more)
