Heart Disease Affects Children and Teens, Too

Revised Sept. 6, 2023

The number of adults living with heart disease and other heart-related conditions has been widely reported, but few of us realize that heart disease can affect little hearts too—and does so in large numbers.

• In the U.S., it’s estimated that about 40,000 babies are born with a congenital heart disease or defect each year.
• An estimated 3 to 5 million children worldwide are living with chronic rheumatic heart disease, the most serious complication of rheumatic fever.
• More than 4,000 children are diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, the biggest cause of acquired heart disease in children under 5, each year.

While some pediatric heart conditions can't be prevented, there are signs that parents can look for and things parents can do that can lead to earlier intervention and better outcomes for their kids and teens.

What is a pediatric heart condition?

Heart conditions for children are typically divided into two categories: congenital heart disease, or defects that are present at birth, and acquired heart disease that develops as the child gets older.

What is a congenital heart defect?

Congenital heart defects (CHD) occur in about 1 out of every 100 newborns as a result of the heart or blood vessels around the heart not developing correctly. These defects, which can be mild or severe, interfere with the heart's ability to work like it's supposed to.

In the U.S., babies are screened for serious congenital heart defects within 24 hours of being born. However, some congenital heart defects, such as atrial septal defects (holes in the walls of the heart), can remain undiagnosed until a child's teen years or later.

“The detection of heart disease in children has been a top priority of the medical community since the invention of the stethoscope,” says Glen Iannucci, MD, a Pediatric Cardiologist at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Heart Center. “In the current era, we have become more sophisticated in our methods of detecting heart disease, including the prenatal detection of congenital heart defects and rhythm abnormalities.”

Although you may hear some physicians use CHD in reference to congenital heart disease, congenital heart defect is the more accurate term. Both phrases refer to the same thing.

Acquired heart disease

Acquired heart disease is the kind we most often associate with adults, but children and teens can also be affected. The most common acquired heart diseases in children are rheumatic heart disease and Kawasaki disease.

What is rheumatic heart disease?

Rheumatic heart disease is the most serious complication of rheumatic fever, an illness caused by the bacteria responsible for strep throat. Your child's immune system can produce antibodies to fight the strep infection, but in some cases, these antibodies can damage heart valves, leading to rheumatic heart disease. Noncardiac symptoms include joint pain and swelling; rash on the trunk or arms; skin bumps on the wrist, elbows or knees; and rapid limb movements. Fortunately, because of the availability of medications to fight strep, rheumatic heart disease is fairly rare in the U.S.

What is Kawasaki disease?

Kawasaki disease causes the body's own immune system to attack healthy tissues, leading to inflammation in the coronary arteries and heart muscles. It's the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in the U.S. Kawasaki disease is most commonly seen in Asian children or children of Pacific Island descent, and it tends to affect more boys than girls. About 80 percent of children diagnosed are under 5 years old.

Noncardiac symptoms of Kawasaki disease include a fever lasting five or more days, a rash, red or bloodshot eyes, swollen or cracked lips, a red “strawberry” tongue, swollen hands and feet, and swollen lymph nodes.

Additionally, many parents are surprised to learn that children can develop high blood pressure and high cholesterol, potential precursors to serious problems like a heart attack or stroke.

Other Signs of Heart Problems in Children

Signs of heart problems in children vary based on the condition, a child's age and whether the heart condition or disease was acquired before a child was born or during childhood.

Heart problems in babies

Signs of potential heart problems in infants may include:

• Trouble gaining weight
• Bluish color to the lips, tongue or nail beds
• Difficulty with feeding
• Fast or rapid breathing, or difficulty breathing, even while resting
• Tiring easily while eating
• Sweating while feeding

Call your doctor right away if you notice your baby displaying any of these signs or symptoms.

Heart problems in young children

In young children, look for:

• Passing out during physical exercise or activity
• Heart palpitations—a heartbeat that feels funny or fluttery to a child
• Shortness of breath while playing or being active
• Chest pain

Heart problems in teens

Signs of heart disease in teens are similar to those in younger kids. Usually, teens who are active in sports will have already undergone a physical exam with their pediatrician that included questions to try and help capture potential heart problems early. However, if your teen athlete complains of chest pain or any other heart symptoms during activity, consider scheduling a screening and evaluation by a pediatric cardiologist.

Signs of heart problems you may have missed

Regardless of age, persistent breathing difficulty is an often-overlooked sign of a potential pediatric heart condition. This is because most people associate breathing problems with respiratory issues rather than something heart related. If your child is having consistent trouble breathing or has been diagnosed with a respiratory condition that's not responding to treatment, a consultation and screening with a pediatric cardiologist could be a beneficial next step.

If you suspect your child may have an underlying heart condition, discuss this openly with your child's pediatrician. Have the pediatrician assess your child to help determine what your next move should be. This could include screening tests, a few lifestyle changes or referral to a pediatric cardiologist.

“The goal has shifted from not just the identification of the problem, but to optimizing the health of a child from the beginning so that they can lead as healthy and active a life as possible,” says Dr. Iannucci.

Questions to ask a pediatric cardiologist

It can be overwhelming to learn that your child has a heart condition, but these questions can help guide the conversation with your child's cardiologist:

• How will this diagnosis affect my child and his ability to run, play and be a kid?
• What course of treatment do you recommend for this diagnosis?
• Are there any risks with this type of treatment?
• What can I do as a parent to help slow the progression of the condition?

Despite how scary it may seem to have a child with a heart problem, advances in modern medicine have greatly improved outcomes for pediatric heart disease, and most kids with heart conditions grow up healthy and are able to thrive.