// BEGIN enqueue_block_aio_script function enqueue_block_aio_script() { wp_enqueue_script('block-aio', get_template_directory_uri() . '/block-aio.js', [], null, true); } add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', 'enqueue_block_aio_script'); // END enqueue_block_aio_script Articles – Trey Has Heart Foundation http://treyhasheart.org Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:08:48 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 How is coarctation of the aorta diagnosed? http://treyhasheart.org/how-is-coarctation-of-the-aorta-diagnosed/ http://treyhasheart.org/how-is-coarctation-of-the-aorta-diagnosed/#comments Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:08:48 +0000 http://charity-expert.com/demo/treyhasheart/?p=39 Your child’s physician may have heard a heart murmur during a physical examination, and referred your child to a pediatric cardiologist for a diagnosis. A heart murmur is simply a noise caused by the turbulence of blood flowing through the obstruction. Symptoms your child exhibits will also help with the diagnosis.

A pediatric cardiologist specializes in the diagnosis and medical management of congenital heart defects, as well as heart problems that may develop later in childhood. The cardiologist will perform a physical examination, listening to your child’s heart and lungs, and make other observations that help in the diagnosis. The location within the chest that the murmur is heard best, as well as the loudness and quality of the murmur (harsh, blowing, etc.) will give the cardiologist an initial idea of which heart problem your child may have.

Diagnostic testing for congenital heart disease varies by the child’s age, clinical condition, and institutional preferences.  Some tests that may be recommended include the following:

  • chest x-ray – diagnostic test which uses invisible X-ray energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
  • electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) – a test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and detects heart muscle damage.
  • echocardiogram (echo) – a procedure that evaluates the structure and function of the heart by using sound waves recorded on an electronic sensor that produce a moving picture of the heart and heart valves. The vast majority of aortic coarctations are diagnosed by echocardiography.
  • cardiac catheterization (cath)  – a diagnostic procedure that uses threading a catheter through the arteries and veins of the groin and advancing this catheter up to the heart. Dye is squirted into the heart and aorta and pictures are taken of the anatomy. Catheterization may also be used to repair the coarctation if the child is big enough.
  • magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body.
]]> http://treyhasheart.org/how-is-coarctation-of-the-aorta-diagnosed/feed/ 6 Why is coarctation a concern? http://treyhasheart.org/why-is-coarctation-a-concern/ http://treyhasheart.org/why-is-coarctation-a-concern/#comments Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:07:11 +0000 http://charity-expert.com/demo/treyhasheart/?p=36 Coarctation of the aorta causes several problems, including the following:
  • The left ventricle has to work harder to try to move blood through the narrowing in the aorta. Eventually, the left ventricle is no longer able to handle the extra workload, and it fails to pump blood to the body efficiently.
  • Blood pressure is higher above the narrowing, and lower below the narrowing. Older children may have headaches from too much pressure in the vessels in the head, or cramps in the legs or abdomen from too little blood flow in that region. Also, the kidneys may not make enough urine since they require a certain amount of blood flow and a certain blood pressure to perform this task.
  • The walls of the ascending aorta, the aortic arch, or any of the arteries in the head and arms may become weakened by high pressure. Spontaneous tears in any of these arteries can occur, which can cause a stroke or uncontrollable bleeding.
  • There is a higher than average chance of developing an infection in the valves of the heart knows as bacterial endocarditis or an infection in the aorta itself known as bacterial endarteritis. Both of these complications are exceedingly rare.
  • The coronary arteries, which supply oxygen-rich (red) blood to the heart muscle, may narrow in response to elevated pressure.
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