Congenital Heart Disease in Babies and Children

• A child suffering from an abnormally structured heart or a blood vessel is said to be suffering from a congenital heart disease (CHD).
• The child’s heart suffers from serious functional disadvantages, and the efficiency is very poor. The heart may have holes in them or they may have incomplete and missing parts.
• The blood vessels will be very narrow and they may also be leaky.
•  Few congenital heart diseases found in babies are very minor and they don’t require any treatment. On the other hand, few diseases require a series of surgeries performed over several years.
•  As a parent, if your child is suffering from a congenital heart disease, you need to know what to expect from your child in the forthcoming years.

CAUSES FOR A CHD:

When the child is in the womb, the heart begins to develop in the first six weeks of pregnancy. The major blood vessels also begin to develop. It is at this stage that a baby might begin to develop heart diseases. The development of defects is mainly genetic.

SYMPTOMS OF A CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE:

If your child is suffering from a CHD, he/she will begin to show the symptoms immediately after birth or just a few months after birth.

The symptoms for a serious congenital heart disease include the following;

• Rapid breathing.
• Rapid heartbeats.
• Chest pain.
• Cyanosis-a bluish tint to the skin, toes, fingernails.
• Shortness of breath.
• Flared nostrils.
• Swelling around the eyes, legs etc.

Mild heart defects cannot be diagnosed until the later stages of childhood because the child will not show noticeable symptoms. 

Each CHD has its own characteristic features. A hole in the heart will lead to the mixing of the oxygen rich blood and the deoxygenated blood, and if these holes are big enough then the total oxygen carried to the body is very less (This is the main reason for the cause of cyanosis-lack of oxygen).
DETECTING A CHD:

Congenital heart diseases can be detected even before birth. Techniques like echocardiogram and a fetal ultrasound can show any abnormalities in the fetus’ heart. After the child is born, the doctor can identify the presence of  CHDs by listening to abnormal heart sounds or heart murmurs using a stethoscope. Depending upon the type of abnormal heart beats, further diagnosis can be made by using tests such as an Electrocardiogram, Echocardiogram or a Chest X-Ray. The treatment for the CHD can be given only if the exact disease can be identified.

Congenital heart diseases cause a lot of complications. They can be cured properly only if treatment is started at an early age. A lifelong follow up to the treatment is required to prevent any new conditions from arising and keeping the existing conditions at bay.

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The Significance of Diet in Heart Diseases

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A Healthy Diet -> Big Benefits 
a. Reducing the workload on your heart. 
b. Better cholesterol levels 
c. Normal blood pressure 
d. Look Fabulous

An Unhealthy Diet -> Cardiovascular Diseases
a. Accumulation of excess cholesterol, 
b. Increased blood pressure, 
c. Increased sugar levels 

FOOD FOR THE HEART:

• 72% decrease in major cardiovascular conditions. 
• Rich in Vitamins, Iron and Carbohydrates, low in cholesterol and fat. Heart does not work extra hard. 
• Transfats  increase your bad cholesterol levels (LDLs).
• Heart Healthy food with High Density Lipoproteins. 
• Your heart will not be in need of pumping excess blood for digesting the large amount of food if you eat small meals. 
• Avoid Salty food to control blood pressure. 
• Chew and enjoy the food you eat because properly chewed food is easier to digest. 

A weight loss program involves 60% diet and 40% exercise. Understand the importance of a good diet and its impact on the heart and focus on eating right!

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Bronchiectasis - Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Are you coughing up a lot of Phlegm? There are lots of reasons for this. And there is treatment.

Check out this video by Dr Supriya Sundaram, Consultant Pulmonologist talking about the symptoms, causes & treatment for Bronchiectasis.

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The Relationship between Hypertension and Cardio Vascular Diseases

High blood pressure causes 12.8% of deaths every year.

Hypertensive heart disease is the biggest cause of death related to high blood pressure.

HYPERTENSION AND HEART FAILURE

What is High BP?

If your systolic blood pressure is very high (Above 140mm/Hg) and your diastolic pressure is around 90mm/Hg, then you have high blood pressure.

Why does High BP cause Heart Failure?

1. Hypertension can cause heart failure (weakening of the heart muscle) as the pumping power of the heart decreases due to the excess pressure.
2. The heart muscles stretch to accommodate more blood due to the reduced pumping power. This causes the heart muscles to weaken over time.
3. The hypertrophy (enlargement) of the ventricles takes place and it gets thickened, this will make it difficult for the heart to pump blood.

What are the symptoms to look for?

Chest Tightness,  Shortness of breath while exercising , Irregular pulse, Swelling in the feet, Fatigue, Increased urination in the night, Nausea, Indigestion, Heart Burn, Pain which spreads to arm, Sweating, Jaw Pain, Swollen feet, Persistent Cough

Hypertension Causes Other Heart Ailments

• Stroke
• Arthrosclerosis.
• Aneurysms.
• Ischemic heart disease

Control high BP, maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly and avoid smoking. You can be assured of a Healthy Heart. 

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Varicose Veins - Causes And Treatment

Varicose veins are a common problem, especially as people age. Veins carry blood from all parts of the body to the heart for recirculation. When the flow of blood is impeded, they turn blue or dark purple in colour and can also appear to be twisted and bulge under the skin. They are usually seen in the legs but may also appear on the face in the form of smaller “spider” veins.

The Causes
When the veins carry blood up from your legs, they work against gravity. The contraction of muscles in the legs work like pumps to push the blood upwards. Valves in the veins prevent the blood from flowing backwards. If the muscles or valves weaken with age and the flow is affected, varicose veins appear. Genetics play a major role in the occurrence of varicose veins. If the conditions run in the family, there is a greater likelihood of your developing them. Women are more likely to develop the condition than men. Hormonal changes such as pregnancy, menopause, using birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy can contribute to the development of the condition. Standing up for extended periods, obesity, injury to the leg and wearing extremely tight clothing below the waist may also cause the condition to appear.

The Treatment

The first step is usually self-care in the form of exercise, losing weight, avoiding tight clothes and not spending long periods of time standing or sitting. Besides this, compression stocking may be used. These fit firmly over the legs and apply a gentle pressure to help the muscles and veins move the blood more efficiently. It is important that the fit of these stockings is correct. Too tight and they could compound the problem and if too loose, they will be ineffective.

If self-care does not help, more specific treatment will be required. This is normally done on an outpatient basis. The options include:

• Sclerotherapy: An injection is administered to close the affected small vein.
• Foam sclerotherapy: Foam is injected to close off larger veins.
• High legation and vein stripping: A vein is closed off and removed through a small incision.
• Ambulatory phlebectomy: Smaller veins are removed through a series of tiny punctures in the skin.
• Laser Surgery: Lasers are used to close off small veins.
• Catheter assisted laser energy: A tiny catheter (tube) is inserted into larger veins. The tip is heated causing the vein to collapse and seal itself. The tube is then removed.
• Endoscopic vein surgery: This is often used when leg ulcers have formed. A tiny camera is inserted in the leg to allow the doctor to locate the affected veins which are then removed through small incisions.

Should You Consult A Doctor?
While varicose veins are not normally a serious health issue, the condition should not be ignored. Over time pain, burning, itching, muscles cramps, skin ulcers and other problems may arise. In some cases, varicose veins could be a symptom of another more serious medical condition. The best course of action is to consult a doctor when the problem is noticed. He or she will be able to guide you on the self-care options and how to do them correctly. If more formal treatment is required, the doctor will be able to decide on the right course of action for your specific condition.

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Heart Failure - Cause, Symptoms, Types and Stages

A heart failure does not mean that the heart has stopped functioning but what is happening is that the heart is unable to pump out sufficient blood to meet the requirements of the body. The chambers in the heart may respond by expanding and carrying more blood to pump out to the rest of the body, but over a period of time the walls of the chambers will become thicker and stiffer and hence keep the blood moving. However, with time the muscles of the heart will get weaker. 

Elsewhere in the body, the kidneys react by holding on to the water and salt, causing build-up of fluids, in the ankles, arms, lungs, legs, feet and other organs.  

Causes

Many conditions can damage the heart and bring on heart failure. 

• Coronary Artery Disease – the coronary arteries supply blood and oxygen to the heart. If these arteries narrow down due to plaque build-up, it decreases the flow of blood and the heart is being deprived of adequate quantities of oxygen and nutrients, so the heart cannot function to its optimum best. 
• Heart Attack – a sudden stoppage of blood supply to the heart muscles, brings on a heart attack. All parts of the heart are cut off from its supply of oxygen. A heart attack damages the heart muscles causing the heart not to work well. 
• Cardiomyopathy – a disease that damages the muscles of the heart. Artery or blood flow problems, alcohol and drug abuse, infections, other diseases and genetic issues can cause cardiomyopathy. 
• Conditions that Overwork the Heart – Kidney disease, High Blood Pressure, heart defects present at birth, heart valve diseases and diabetes can all cause heart failure. It can also happen if several conditions exist all at once. 

Types of Heart Failure

Systolic Heart Failure – occurs when the muscles of the heart are unable to squeeze with enough force, to pump the oxygen-rich blood through the body. 

Diastolic Heart Failure – Even though the heart is able to squeeze the oxygen-rich blood out to the rest of the body, the ventricle (the main pumping chamber), does not relax, consequently lowering the amount of blood that can enter the heart. This then raises the blood pressure in the lungs, which leads to fluid collection in the lungs, legs and abdomen. 

Stages of Heart Failure

Stage A – is the stage at which a patient has been identified to be at risk for heart failure. If diagnosed with any of the following, then the patient is in Stage A. 

• Coronary Artery Disease
• Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Cardiotoxic Drug Therapy
• Rheumatic Fever
• Alcohol Abuse
• Family history with Cardiomyopathy

Stage B – is the phase where a patient has been diagnosed with systolic left ventricular dysfunction, even though no symptoms of heart failure were evident. In other words it means that the left lower chamber of the heart is not pumping blood as it should. Patients in stage B would have had:

• A heart attack
• Cardiomyopathy
• Valve disease

Stage C – a patient is at Stage C, if a patient has had a systolic heart failure together with symptoms of:

• Shortness of breath
• Less ability to exercise
• Fatigue

Stage D – a patient who has had a systolic heart failure and continues to have advanced symptoms, after getting medical care, is at this stage.

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The difference between Beta Blockers and Clot Busters

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Beta blockers and clot busters work to protect the heart. But their mode of action is different.

Beta Blockers

• Beta blockers are drugs which block the action of epinephrine and norepinephrine in the body.
• Both epinephrine (adrenalin) and norepinephrine (noradrenalin) work to increase the blood pressure in the body and increase your heart rate.
• The beta blockers are used for palpitations and they protect the body from a successive cardiac arrest.
• Beta receptors are found in the heart muscles, kidneys, arteries etc. These receptors are generally bound by epinephrine and norepinephrine during stress situations.
• The beta blockers compete with adrenalin and noradrenalin and bind to the receptors thereby preventing the increase in blood pressure and heart rate.

Clot Busters

• Clot busters are agents that may be administered if you have heart problems such as a heart attack.
• They dissolve blood clots very quickly within 5 minutes.
• These agents can halt an ischemic stroke and also prevent heart attacks.
• Clot busters are very effective when administered exactly at the time of need and they show little effect if they are administered after an hour or so.

The following people are advised against the use of clot busters:

• People with hemorrhage, active bleeding (like an injury) and any form of brain tumor.
• Those with allergies to any drugs.
• People with a recent surgery, trauma 
• Pregnant women

A doctor's prescription and advice is mandatory for both the drugs.

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