These defects or conditions are categorized according to the problems, which develop. One problem is when too much blood passes through the lungs. Another is when too little passes through the lungs. A third is when too little blood circulates in the body. And a fourth is a combination of several heart defects, presenting as a complex problem. Pediatric cardiologists are the specialists treating babies with congenital heart problems (Children's Hospital of Wisconsin).
Cyanotic Heart Disease
This is a congenital heart defect, which lowers blood oxygen levels, and may involve more than one defect (Weinrauch & Zieve, 2009). Under normal conditions, blood returns from the body and goes through the heart and lungs. Then it flows from the heart and carries enough oxygen to the rest of the body. There is abnormal blood flow when there is a heart defect. The amount of blood flowing also reduces the amount of oxygen that is taken to the rest of the body. A child or infant with cyanotic heart disease has bluish appearance, especially in the lips, fingers, toes or during exercise. It may be caused by chemical exposure, genetic or chromosomal syndromes, infections, diabetic pregnant mothers with poorly controlled blood sugar levels, and some prescription medicines. Symptoms include cyanosis, dyspnea or breathing problems, anxiety, and hyperventilation. Complications include arrhythmias, brain abscess, heart failure, hemopthysis, impaired growth, infectious endocarditis, polycythemia, pulmonary hypertension and stroke (Weinrauch & Zieve).
Diagnosis
Health experts recommend screening every child older than two years who have a family history of high cholesterol or lipids, early cardiovascular disease or diabetes; associated medical conditions; who are overweight or obese and who have high blood pressure or high cholesterol or lipids levels themselves (Ferranti & Newburger, 2009). They recommend that such children be subjected to fasting cholesterol and lipid blood testing and fasting blood sugar testing. Children at risk of atherosclerosis should have yearly blood pressure measurement, height and weight and body mass index calculation, and review of their lifestyle conditions, specifically exposure to tobacco smoke, exercise, diet and sleep (Ferranti & Newburger).
Treatment
Children at risk for cardiovascular disease are managed with lifestyle changes...
For example, some prescription drugs have been shown to increase risk for heart disease (Fries, nd). In particular, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are commonly prescribed for relieving the pain associated with arthritis, have been shown to cause heart-related side effects (Fries, nd). Unfortunately, patients who suffer from chronic pain sometimes need to choose between increasing their risk for heart disease and coping with severe chronic pain. Interestingly, though,
The estimated age-adjusted prevalence of angina in women age 20 and older were 3.5% for non-Hispanic white women, 4.7% for non-Hispanic black women and 2.2% for Mexican-American women. Rates for men in these three groups were 4.5, 3.1 and 2.4%, respectively. Among American adults age 20 and older, the estimated age-adjusted prevalence of coronary heart disease for non-Hispanic whites is 8.9% for men and 5.4% for women; for non-Hispanic
According to the article, diet and exercise proved to be effect in study participants in Amsterdam (Hitti 2005). The study was conducted with 360 participants ages 13-36, researchers wanted to see which subjects contracted metabolic syndrome (Hitti 2005). The research found that a little over 10% of participants had metabolic syndrome at age 36. More men were diagnosed than women (18% vs. 3%).Those with metabolic syndrome had gained more body
The Archives of Internal Medicine study confirmed that 30 minutes of walking a day (10-12 miles a week) "can prevent weight gain in most people who are now inactive. Other studies have shown that working up to 10,000 steps or more could reduce the risk of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Companies and organizations have encouraged their customers and members to participate in the program. ("10,000 steps a day") The
Likewise, younger adults tend to consume alcohol in patterns more conducive to the development of heart disease than older adults. Unfortunately, all indications are that these differences between heart disease rates is only likely to increase in the next generation, owing to the current obesity epidemic among American children. Ultimately, many of these risk factors are under our control, but it appears that various elements of American social culture currently
The Psychological Development of VLIntroductionThis paper describes the psychological development of a young girl named VL. At the age of 3 years and 11 months, VL is vibrant, talkative, curious, engaging and enthusiastic. She has boundless energy, and is part of a Jamaican family. She also has an older brother who is 7 years old and has been diagnosed with autism. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate VL\\\'s
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now