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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffSymptoms or signs of congenital heart disease may not show up until later in life. They may recur years after you've had treatment for a heart defect. Some typical congenital heart disease symptoms you may have as an adult include:
- Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
- A bluish tint to the skin (cyanosis)
- Shortness of breath
- Tiring quickly upon exertion
- Dizziness or fainting
- Swelling of body tissue or organs (edema)
When to see a doctor
If you have any of the signs or symptoms of congenital heart disease, make an appointment to see your doctor. If you have chest pain or severe shortness of breath, seek emergency medical attention.
- Williams RG, et al. Report of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Working Group on Research in Adult Congenital Heart Disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2006;47:701.
- Warnes CA. The adult with congenital heart disease: Born to be bad? Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2005;46:1.
- Murphy DJ, et al. ACC/AHA/AAP recommendation: Task force 6: Training in transition of adolescent care and care of the adult with congenital heart disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2005;46:1399.
- Congenital Heart Defects. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/chd/chd_all.html. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Walsh EP, et al. Arrhythmias in adult patients with congenital heart disease. Circulation. 2007;115:534.
- Thierren J, et al. Clinical update on adults with congenital heart disease. The Lancet. 2003;362:1305.
- Perloff JK, et al. Pregnancy in women with congenital heart disease: Specific lesions. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Grogan M. (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 10, 2009.
