by Tanya Smith

Created on: March 31, 2009   Last Updated: April 08, 2009

Weighing in at a mere 1 pound, your heart is not your biggest organ, but it has the hardest job. Every part of your body needs blood and your heart pumps it there. The heart is a hollow organ with four chambers, found between the spine and breastbone. Each chamber has a valve controlling blood flow. The heart has two sides: the right which delivers blood from the veins to the lungs where it gets oxygen. The left side delivers oxygen rich blood to your body.

There are two types of heart disease -

1. Congenital, which you are born with.

2. Ischemic.

Here is a list to help you distinguish them.

CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE -

1. Ventricular Septal Defect is the most common. It's caused by a division of the lower chambers of the heart. A heart murmur can result if it's minor. A major defect can result in abnormally high blood pressure, trouble eating, sweating, lung infection, and heart failure. It often closes by itself but surgery can be performed to close it.

2. Atrial Septal Defect is characterized by an opening in the upper chambers and is commonly found in infants with Down Syndrome. If detected, it can be surgically repaired.

3. Patent Ductus Arteriosus is an opening in the ductus arteriosus which fails to close after birth and causes impaired blood flow. Heart murmur, slowed growth and hypertension can result. The vessel can be surgically repaired. People who live at higher altitudes have a higher incidence, with girls being more affected.

4. Aortic Coarctation occurs when the artery connecting the heart and body narrows. Blood pressure falls in the lower body, and rises in the upper body. Skin may turn blue, dizziness, leg cramps, fainting and nosebleeds may be experienced. Balloon angioplasty is performed as soon as possible.

5. Pulmonary Stenosis occurs when the artery which connects the heart and lungs has a narrowed valve. Often, it causes no symptoms, but serious cases can lead to heart failure. It develops within a month of birth and surgery can be performed to widen the valve.

6. Aortic Stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve which usually causes no symptoms, except heart murmur. The valve can be surgically repaired, but this is uncommon.

7. Tetralogy Fallot comes from the Greek word for "four" "tetra" which signifies that it is characterized by four defects: 1) septal defect of the large ventricle 2) pulmonary stenosis 3) right ventricle enlargement and, 4) aorta movement to the right. Blood circulation is reduced, leading to lack of oxygen. Surgery can

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>