Childhood heart repairs fade as patient ages
Story by Jessica Lovell
9:37 p.m. Thursday, March 30, 2006
At just 38 years old, Micheal Heath is on his fifth pacemaker. He was born with a life-threatening heart condition.
"I had a hole between my left and right ventricle and some problems, some valve problems. And when I was six years old, they, the doctors repaired my heart defect,” Heath said.
Michael is among the millions of adults with congenital heart defects who are approaching middle age and doctors said they're noticing an alarming trend—many of these repairs are starting to wear out.
"I think it's important to realize that the surgeries that they've had did not cure their heart disease and that there is the potential for many different long-term complications,” said Gregory Johnson, Pediatric Cardiologist.
Complications can include irregular heartbeats, enlarged hearts and congestive heart failure.
Fortunately, Michael hasn't experienced these, but he does know the importance of seeing a cardiologist who specializes in childhood heart defects.
"My heart just needs someone that knows about what a repair looks like and how it's different from an adult heart defect or heart problems,” Heath said.
Michael and his wife hoped his heart defect wouldn't be passed on to their children, but their oldest daughter Angelica was born with a similar problem.
But just as Michael’s able to lead a productive life, he knows Angelica will have the same bright future with the proper medical care.
Of the adults with congenital heart disease, less than half get regular heart check-ups.
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