Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of Heart DiseaseDifferences in DiagnosisSymptomsRisks & ComplicationsTreatment & Management
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Heart Disease
Differences in Diagnosis
Symptoms
Risks & Complications
Treatment & Management
“Heart disease” is a general term for problems with the heart and can be classified in many different ways. “Congenital heart disease” is a type of heart disease that is present from birth, in which the heart has a structural problem or defect that may affect its function.
The heart supplies the blood with oxygen and nutrients to the entire body. The development of the heart during pregnancy is a complex process, and a number of things can go wrong, resulting in a congenital heart defect.Congenital defects can affect the heart’s muscle, chambers, valves, and blood vessels.
ljubaphoto / Getty Images
Classifying Types of Heart Disease
The heart is composed of the following:
In addition to classifying heart disease as congenital (present at birth) vs. acquired,heart diseasecan also be classified according to the part of the heart affected. These include:
These types of heart disease can be congenital or acquired. For example, a common form of valvular heart disease, known asaortic stenosis, leads to narrowing of the aortic valve. This condition can be congenital, such as when someone is born with a defect that causes narrowing of the aortic valve. Aortic stenosis can also be acquired, such as when the valve becomes narrow later in life due to age-related changes.
Differences in Age of Diagnosis
In general,congenital heart diseasecan be seen at a younger age when compared to acquired heart disease, which often takes much longer to develop. In some cases, congenital heart defects can be seen even before birth on a prenatal ultrasound. Significant congenital abnormalities may cause severe symptoms at or shortly after birth, whereas milder congenital defects may not cause symptoms and can go unrecognized for decades.
For example, a bicuspid aortic valve is a common abnormality. It is a defect in which the aortic valve has two flaps instead of the normal three, and it can cause an abnormal heart sound. However, people often don’t have symptoms until their 40s or 50s. Thus, this congenital condition can go undiagnosed for many years until significant narrowing of the valve (aortic stenosis) and symptoms develop.
Congenital heart disease and acquired heart disease share many common symptoms. However, there are some symptoms specific to congenital heart disease seen in infants and children.
Heart Disease
In general, both congenital and acquired heart disease can cause symptoms due to arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), heart failure, and ischemia. Possible symptoms include:
Congenital Heart Disease
In addition to the symptoms noted above, people with congenital heart disease can have some other symptoms. Specifically, infants and children with congenital heart disease can show some different signs of heart problems:
Risks and Complications
Heart disease is a serious condition that can significantly impair quality of life and lead to life-threatening complications. Both heart disease in general, and congenital heart disease are associated with potential complications.
These include:
In addition to these complications, congenital heart disease is also linked to neurodevelopmental problems. Congenital heart disease can affect motor, cognitive, language, behavioral, and psychosocial development.
Treatment and Ongoing Management
Those with congenital heart disease may receive care from a pediatric cardiologist, a specialist who manages heart disease in children and adolescents. With advanced treatments and care have advanced, people born with congenital heart disease are living longer.
There is a subspecialty of cardiology known as adult congenital heart disease specialists who can help care for adults with congenital heart disease.Additionally, since congenital heart disease can significantly impact mental health, psychological care is an important consideration for lifelong management.
Summary
Heart disease is an umbrella term that includes any problem with the heart. Congenital heart disease is a type of heart disease that a person is born with, due to a developmental defect in the heart, whereas acquired heart disease is something that a person develops later on.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Congenital heart disease.American Heart Association.How the healthy heart works.MedlinePlus.Heart diseases.MedlinePlus.Pericarditis/Pericardial Disorders.American Heart Association.Aortic Stenosis.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Congenital heart defects.MedlinePlus.Bicuspid aortic valve.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About heart disease.National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Congenital heart defects- symptoms.Ortinau CM, Shimony JS.The congenital heart disease brain: Prenatal considerations for perioperative neurocritical care.Pediatr Neurol. 2020;108:23-30. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2020.01.002John AS, Jackson JL, Moons P, et al.Advances in managing transition to adulthood for adolescents with congenital heart disease: A practical approach to transition program design: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association.J Am Heart Assoc. 2022;11(7):e025278. doi:10.1161/JAHA.122.025278Kovacs AH, Brouillette J, Ibeziako P, et al.Psychological Outcomes and Interventions for Individuals With Congenital Heart Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2022;15(8):e000110. doi:10.1161/HCQ.0000000000000110
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Congenital heart disease.American Heart Association.How the healthy heart works.MedlinePlus.Heart diseases.MedlinePlus.Pericarditis/Pericardial Disorders.American Heart Association.Aortic Stenosis.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Congenital heart defects.MedlinePlus.Bicuspid aortic valve.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About heart disease.National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Congenital heart defects- symptoms.Ortinau CM, Shimony JS.The congenital heart disease brain: Prenatal considerations for perioperative neurocritical care.Pediatr Neurol. 2020;108:23-30. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2020.01.002John AS, Jackson JL, Moons P, et al.Advances in managing transition to adulthood for adolescents with congenital heart disease: A practical approach to transition program design: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association.J Am Heart Assoc. 2022;11(7):e025278. doi:10.1161/JAHA.122.025278Kovacs AH, Brouillette J, Ibeziako P, et al.Psychological Outcomes and Interventions for Individuals With Congenital Heart Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2022;15(8):e000110. doi:10.1161/HCQ.0000000000000110
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Congenital heart disease.American Heart Association.How the healthy heart works.MedlinePlus.Heart diseases.MedlinePlus.Pericarditis/Pericardial Disorders.American Heart Association.Aortic Stenosis.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Congenital heart defects.MedlinePlus.Bicuspid aortic valve.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About heart disease.National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Congenital heart defects- symptoms.Ortinau CM, Shimony JS.The congenital heart disease brain: Prenatal considerations for perioperative neurocritical care.Pediatr Neurol. 2020;108:23-30. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2020.01.002John AS, Jackson JL, Moons P, et al.Advances in managing transition to adulthood for adolescents with congenital heart disease: A practical approach to transition program design: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association.J Am Heart Assoc. 2022;11(7):e025278. doi:10.1161/JAHA.122.025278Kovacs AH, Brouillette J, Ibeziako P, et al.Psychological Outcomes and Interventions for Individuals With Congenital Heart Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2022;15(8):e000110. doi:10.1161/HCQ.0000000000000110
MedlinePlus.Congenital heart disease.
American Heart Association.How the healthy heart works.
MedlinePlus.Heart diseases.
MedlinePlus.Pericarditis/Pericardial Disorders.
American Heart Association.Aortic Stenosis.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Congenital heart defects.
MedlinePlus.Bicuspid aortic valve.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About heart disease.
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Congenital heart defects- symptoms.
Ortinau CM, Shimony JS.The congenital heart disease brain: Prenatal considerations for perioperative neurocritical care.Pediatr Neurol. 2020;108:23-30. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2020.01.002
John AS, Jackson JL, Moons P, et al.Advances in managing transition to adulthood for adolescents with congenital heart disease: A practical approach to transition program design: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association.J Am Heart Assoc. 2022;11(7):e025278. doi:10.1161/JAHA.122.025278
Kovacs AH, Brouillette J, Ibeziako P, et al.Psychological Outcomes and Interventions for Individuals With Congenital Heart Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2022;15(8):e000110. doi:10.1161/HCQ.0000000000000110
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
