Congenital heart disease is a form of cardiovascular disease. The term is used generally to describe the different forms of birth defects that can affect the heart functioning normally. Present at birth, congenital heart diseases can vary from mild to severe although symptoms of the disease might not be noticed until later on in life [1].
Symptoms of Congenital Heart Disease
While some forms of congenital heart disease show little to no symptoms and some signs mightn’t be obvious until a little later on in life [2], there are some common symptoms in adults that you should know, these include:
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Shortness of breath
- Tiring quickly
- Swelling of body tissue or organs
See also: 10 Simple Tips for a Healthy Heart
Causes of Congenital Heart Disease
Although it’s not entirely clear what the cause of congenital heart diseases and defects are, there are some common factors that might increase your risk of developing the condition, including [3]:
- Family history
- Having diabetes during pregnancy
- Taking certain medications while pregnant
- Drinking alcohol or smoking while pregnant
- Having certain infections during pregnancy
If you require a risk assessment for cardiovascular diseases, a CRP Test may be recommended. This can be done with a trip to your doctor or from the comfort of your own home with an at-home lab test. It’s important to note that while the test is non-specific, it can indicate risk of cardiovascular problems.
LetsGetChecked’s at-home CRP Test can help in indicating risk of degenerative disorders or damage that you may not be aware of. Online results will be available within 2-5 days and our dedicated medical team will be available to help every step of the way.
See also: What Does High CRP Mean?
References
