Single Ventricle Defects
WHAT ARE SINGLE VENTRICLE DEFECTS?
Single ventricle defects are heart problems that you were born with (congenital heart defects). Normally the heart has two pumping chambers. These are the right and left ventricles. The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs to get oxygen. After blood returns from the lungs, the left ventricle pumps it out to the body.
Single ventricle defects come in many forms. They can involve one or more valves in your heart and a ventricle that does not pump effectively In almost all cases, a single ventricle defect means blood flow to your body or to your lungs is less than it should be.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SINGLE VENTRICLE DEFECTS?
You may continue to have some symptoms of your heart defect as an adult even if you had surgery to correct your heart defect as an infant or child. Your symptoms depend on the type of defect you were born with. If you have had surgery, the success of your surgery also makes a difference. Your symptoms may include: …show more content…
• Low energy.
• Frequent infections.
• A heart rate that is too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (bradycardia).
• Fluid buildup in your belly or legs (edema).
• Shortness of breath, especially with exercise.
WHAT COMPLICATIONS AM I AT RISK FOR IF I WAS BORN WITH A SINGLE VENTRICLE DEFECT?
You may be at risk for some problems that often affect adults who were born with a congenital heart defect. These may include:
• Heart failure.
• Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias).
• Heart infections (endocarditis).
• Liver problems.
• Leaky heart valves.
HOW DO I KNOW IF AM DEVELOPING COMPLICATIONS FROM MY SINGLE VENTRICLE
WHAT ARE SINGLE VENTRICLE DEFECTS?
Single ventricle defects are heart problems that you were born with (congenital heart defects). Normally the heart has two pumping chambers. These are the right and left ventricles. The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs to get oxygen. After blood returns from the lungs, the left ventricle pumps it out to the body.
Single ventricle defects come in many forms. They can involve one or more valves in your heart and a ventricle that does not pump effectively In almost all cases, a single ventricle defect means blood flow to your body or to your lungs is less than it should be.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SINGLE VENTRICLE DEFECTS?
You may continue to have some symptoms of your heart defect as an adult even if you had surgery to correct your heart defect as an infant or child. Your symptoms depend on the type of defect you were born with. If you have had surgery, the success of your surgery also makes a difference. Your symptoms may include: …show more content…
• Low energy.
• Frequent infections.
• A heart rate that is too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (bradycardia).
• Fluid buildup in your belly or legs (edema).
• Shortness of breath, especially with exercise.
WHAT COMPLICATIONS AM I AT RISK FOR IF I WAS BORN WITH A SINGLE VENTRICLE DEFECT?
You may be at risk for some problems that often affect adults who were born with a congenital heart defect. These may include:
• Heart failure.
• Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias).
• Heart infections (endocarditis).
• Liver problems.
• Leaky heart valves.
HOW DO I KNOW IF AM DEVELOPING COMPLICATIONS FROM MY SINGLE VENTRICLE