Acquired Heart Disease

Acquired heart disease occurs after birth and is much more rare in children than in adults. Two common types are Kawasaki Disease and Rheumatic Heart Disease. Other heart conditions which can occur in children are arrythmias (heart rhythm disorders), cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease) and infective endocarditis (infection in the heart). Some heart problems can be caused by medications or lifestyle factors such as obesity and smoking.

Types of Acquired Heart Disease

Kawasaki Disease

Despite much research, the cause continues to be unknown. KD occurs more often in Asian children. There is no known means of prevention and it is not contagious.

Rheumatic Heart Disease

Rheumatic heart disease can follow a "Strep throat" infection. That is why all cases of Strep throat must be treated. Rheumatic heart disease can cause severe damage to the valves of the heart.

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy can arise from various causes, including genetic mutations, viral infections, metabolic disorders, environmental influences and autoimmune

diseases. These can lead to poor functioning of the heart

Arrythmias

Irregular heartbeats interfere with the heart's normal rhythm and efficiency. They can impair the heart's ability to pump blood effectively, leading to inadequate blood flow to vital organs. This can cause symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, or fainting,

Obesity

Obesity can lead to conditions like high blood pressure and insulin resistance, which increase the risk of developing heart disease. Excess body weight can also cause structural changes in the heart making it work harder and potentially leading to heart failure.

Smoking introduces harmful substances that damage blood vessels, reduce oxygen supply, and increase inflammation. This can accelerate the development of atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries) and increase the risk of heart-related issues.