Congenital Heart Disease
Alternate Names : Congenital Heart Defects
What are the treatments for the disease?
Treatment often involves open heart surgery
to correct the heart defect. Sometimes more than one defect occurs
at the same time and more than one operation is needed. With certain
defects, medicine may be all that is needed. In others, no treatment
other than observation is needed.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Surgery to correct a heart defect can be simple or very
complicated. Side effects of treatment depend on the severity of the defect.
Some people recover completely, while others may still have a problem with
high blood pressure
and a very strained heart. The heart may not beat in a normal rhythm.
Surgery itself can be very risky and sometimes fatal. Bleeding and infection
may also occur.
What happens after treatment for the disease?
The person needs time to recover fully after surgery.
Antibiotics to help fight infection and other medicines to help the heart
may be given after surgery. Close monitoring of the heart and lungs is
needed. Sometimes, a person will need more surgery later in life.
How is the disease monitored?
Regular visits to the doctor and regular testing are needed.
This helps check that the heart is working properly and the lungs remain clear.
Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the doctor.
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