(BPT) - Although you may not think of children when you imagine someone with heart problems, congenital heart defects are actually the most common birth defect in the U.S., occurring in about 1% of births. While many of these structural heart issues are discovered in infancy or before a child is born, about 9% of children with congenital heart defects may not have symptoms until later in childhood (or even adulthood).
What does this mean for parents? Simply that it's important to recognize potential signs of heart issues in children that they might otherwise miss.
"The same way CPR or first aid can save a life, knowing what signs to look for can, too," said Dr. Tara Karamlou, pediatric congenital heart surgeon at Akron Children's. "And you should always feel free to ask your child's pediatrician about any concerns you have about your child's health."
The pediatric cardiology experts at Akron Children's want you to know about these indications your child may need immediate medical attention.
Shortness of breath
While shortness of breath can be caused by respiratory issues, persistent breathing difficulties, especially when engaged in active play or exercise, could point to a potential heart problem like congenital heart disease.
Shortness of breath is also a common symptom of heart failure in children, which occurs when the heart cannot pump blood effectively. This results in fluid buildup in the lungs, causing breathing difficulties.
"If you notice your child having shortness of breath when they're active, especially along with other symptoms like chest pain, fainting, heart palpitations, extreme fatigue or swelling in their ankles, legs or abdomen, they need prompt medical attention to uncover the underlying cause," Karamlou said. "Your child's pediatrician can determine if they need to be seen by a pediatric cardiologist."
Fainting during play
If your child suddenly faints while playing or exercising, make sure they see a doctor right away. Although fainting can be caused by dehydration, overheating or prolonged standing, fainting during physical activity (not afterward) could be a sign of a cardiac issue such as heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias), a structural heart defect, and myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) that need immediate attention.
An evaluation from a health care provider is needed especially when fainting is also associated with chest pain, heart palpitations or your family has a history of cardiac issues in young people.
Excessive fatigue
"Excessive fatigue can be hard to recognize, especially when families are busy and nobody gets enough sleep. However, excessive tiredness is a common symptom in children with congestive heart failure or congenital heart defects," said Dr. Robert Stewart, chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Akron Children's. "In these cases, fatigue and weakness is due to the heart being unable to pump blood effectively, so that fatigue doesn't improve, even with rest.
Contact your child's doctor if extreme fatigue is accompanied by symptoms like chest pain; shortness of breath (especially with activity or while lying down); swelling in the feet, ankles, legs or abdomen; a bluish tint to the lips, tongue or nail beds; irregular/rapid heartbeat or excessive sweating. If fatigue lasts more than two weeks, seems severe, increases with physical activity or persists even when your child gets enough sleep, consult your child's doctor right away.
Early detection and treatment are crucial
Recognizing the subtle signs of a cardiac condition in children is key to getting your child prompt medical attention, which can be lifesaving. If your child has a cardiac issue and you're seeking the best possible treatment, look for a children's hospital that specializes in pediatric cardiology. For example, Akron Children's is ranked in Newsweek's Best Children's Hospitals for Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery. In recognition of Akron Children's commitment to quality testing for diagnosis of heart disease, the organization's echocardiography laboratories have been accredited by Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in areas of pediatric and fetal echocardiography.
"Akron Children's uses the latest, most advanced technologies to diagnose and treat all types of pediatric heart disease, from the mild to the extremely complex," added Stewart. "We're at the forefront in treatment of abnormal heart rhythms, including development of a procedure to repair irregular heartbeats without the radiation commonly used in such procedures. Our pediatric heart surgeons work with interventional cardiologists even to repair certain types of heart defects in babies, who otherwise would have to wait until they're big enough to undergo open heart surgery."
For children needing highly specialized cardiac care, Akron Children's collaborates with Cincinnati Children's for procedures including heart transplantation, bi-ventricular repairs and virtual surgical planning. Both hospitals work together with patients and families to coordinate care throughout the process to help ensure the best outcomes.
Learn more about Akron Children's Heart Center at AkronChildrens.org.