World Heart Day is celebrated every year on 29 September to raise awareness about heart diseases. There are many heart problems that occur with age, but there are also some diseases that a child is born with. One of these is Chronic Heart Disease (CHD).
Millions of people around the world suffer from CHD, a common heart problem that occurs from birth. Due to lack of health care in India, CHD is a major public health problem. CHD often occurs in children, but it can also appear in people of different ages.
Some people start showing its symptoms in childhood, while others do not feel any symptoms until adulthood. CHD can affect not only an individual, but the entire family and society. The doctor further explained the causes, symptoms, types, diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
Causes and symptoms of chronic heart disease
It is not known why CHD occurs, but it may be caused by:
Genetic: CHD runs in the family
Birth mother: Older age of the mother at the time of delivery, diabetes, or use of certain medications
Environmental: Exposure to certain chemicals or infections during pregnancy
Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing, swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet, decreased blood supply to the arms and legs, fatigue, and fast or uneven heartbeats
Diagnosis of CHD
CHD can be diagnosed during pregnancy or soon after birth. Diagnostic tests include:
Echocardiogram
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Chest X-ray
Cardiac catheterization
