Congenital heart diseases are conditions of the heart's structure and function that develop as a baby grows within the mother’s uterus and are present at birth.
Symptoms and characteristics
The main types of congenital heart disease are abnormality of the valves and defects of the blood vessels. A number of conditions relate to the failure of a septum (opening) to close soon after birth, thus allowing blood to flow into unsuitable areas. This can cause problems if not surgically corrected.
As congenital heart disease complications are usually surgically corrected at an early age, many adults lead unaffected lives. However, some conditions are too risky for surgery and so some people may experience a number of common cardiac symptoms, including:
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dyspnea or shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
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palpitations which are an irregular, fluttering or skipping heartbeat
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chest pain.
People with congenital heart disease also have an increased risk of cardiac infection and stroke and may require additional surgery later in life (Adult Congenital Heart Association 2007).
Statistics
Approximately one third of all congenital conditions are heart related and account for about 2 per cent of heart disease that presents in adulthood (Heart Foundation 2007).
Workplace adjustments and solutions
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
References
Adult Congenital Heart Association 2007, Adult Congenital Heart Fact Sheet, Adult Congenital Heart Association, Philadelphia, viewed 15 May 2007, <http://www.achaheart.org/pdf/factsheet.pdf>.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2004, Heart, stroke and vascular diseases, Australian facts 2004, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, viewed 15 May 2007, <http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10005>.
Doherty, G. M. & Way, L.W. 2006, Current Surgical Diagnosis and Treatment, 12th Edition, Chapter 19B, The Heart: Congenital Heart Disease, The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc., Texas.
Heart Foundation 2007, Heart Foundation, viewed 15 May 2007, <http://www.heartfoundation.com.au>.