Question

Compare the similarities and differences between heart failure in an adult versus a child and what treatment options are currently available as well as what are the pros and cons of the treatments? How would you educate the parents of a child with heart failure?

Answer 1

Heart failure is a very common clinical syndrome that affects both children & adults in the US.

There is so many physical difference of heart size, heart beats in children and adults. Apart from physical differences children, heart defects are usually holes or a valve narrowing, however in case of adults most of the heart failure cases are related to the coronary arteries.

In children congenital heart defects are most prominent problems with the heart’s structure that are present at birth. A small percentage of babies are born with compound inborn heart defects that need specific care almost immediately after birth.

The health of heart both in case of children & adults can be improved & maintained through good diet & regular exercise. There is needed to start healthy habits in kids while they’re young.

Treatment options currently available in case of heart failure:

There is need of following tests/therapies first

Description with pros and cons:

Physical examination: primary examination having advantage of possibility finding but depends on the experience of physician

Electrocardiogram (ECG): records the electrical activity of heart through electrodes attached to skin of chest and limbs.

Very essential tool for doctors to diagnose heart rhythm problems & damage to your heart but is very complex interpretation.

Coronary angiogram: In this test, a thin, flexible tube is inserted into a blood vessel at groin or in arm & guided through the aorta into the coronary arteries. In this test a dye is injected through the catheter makes the arteries supplying the heart visible on an X-ray to identify blockages.

Very clear indicator for blockade

But

Cons

Chances of allergy due to dye.

In detail: Heart failure is a chronic disease which desires lifelong management. Doctors usually treat heart failure with a combination of medications and surgeries.

However most of the problems arise at home when patient is discharged.

Hence there is need of extra precautions in this case it is advisable for healthy dietary habits and lifestyle.

How to educate the parents of a child with heart failure:

In case of parents of children with CHD have so many challenges. Hence there is need to educate the parents in such cases by the health care professionals as there is need of more specialized parenting skills in such cases.

Parents often involve themselves into learning as much as they can about their child's diagnosis, medication, and treatment plan from internet from trustworthy websites but it is not advised in high amount as all the informations are generalized but there is need of individualization of patient for specific care hence parents are advised not to rely too much on internet informations.