Different types of heart disease can affect children and teens, such as congenital heart defects, atherosclerosis, arrhythmias, heart murmurs, and more.

Many different types of heart problems can affect children and teens. They can include:

  • congenital heart defects
  • infections that affect the heart
  • heart disease acquired in childhood due to illnesses or genetic syndromes

With treatment, many children and teens with heart disease go on to live active, full lives.

We’ll cover the types of heart disease that typically affect children and teens and how doctors treat them.

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a type of heart disease you are born with. It occurs due to heart defects that are present at birth. In the United States, an estimated 1 in 100 babies born each year have CHD.

CHDs that affect children and teens can include:

  • heart valve disorders, such as coarctation of the aorta and bicuspid aortic valve
  • hypoplastic left heart syndrome, where the left side of the heart is underdeveloped
  • disorders involving holes in the heart, typically in the walls between the chambers and between major blood vessels leaving the heart, including:
  • tetralogy of Fallot, which is a combination of four defects, including:
    • a hole in the ventricular septum
    • a narrowed passage between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery
    • a thickened right side of the heart
    • a displaced aorta

CHDs may have long-term effects on your health. They’re usually treated with surgery, catheter procedures, medications, and in severe cases, heart transplants.

Some people with CHD will require lifelong monitoring and treatment.

Atherosclerosis occurs when fat and cholesterol-filled plaques build up inside arteries. As the buildup increases, arteries become stiffened and narrowed, increasing the risk of complications like blood clots and heart attacks.

Atherosclerosis typically develops over many years. While it’s not common for children or teenagers to experience symptoms, some research suggests that the disease may begin in childhood.

Some health issues and other factors may increase the risk, including:

Doctors screen all children for high cholesterol and hypertension, and they may screen children with certain risk factors earlier. Treatment typically involves lifestyle changes like increased exercise and dietary modifications.

An arrhythmia is an abnormal rhythm of the heart. It can cause the heart to pump less efficiently.

Many different types of arrhythmias may occur in children, including:

Symptoms may include:

  • weakness
  • fatigue
  • dizziness
  • fainting
  • difficulty feeding

Treatments depend on the type of arrhythmia and how it affects the child’s health.

Kawasaki disease is a rare disease primarily affecting children under 5 years old. It can cause inflammation in the blood vessels in the:

  • heart arteries
  • hands
  • feet
  • mouth
  • lips
  • throat

A doctor can usually diagnose Kawasaki disease based on symptoms that last at least 4 days. These may include:

  • fever
  • “strawberry tongue,” which is a red, swollen tongue
  • discolored hands and feet
  • widespread rash
  • red eyes
  • swollen lymph nodes

It’s important to get treatment for Kawasaki disease, as it may lead to coronary artery dilation and coronary artery aneurysms in 25% of people who don’t get treatment.

Treatment depends on the extent of the disease, but often involves prompt treatment with:

  • intravenous gamma globulin
  • aspirin, if recommended by a doctor
  • corticosteroids, which may reduce future complications

Children with Kawasaki disease often require lifelong follow-up appointments to monitor their heart health.

Aspirin use in children

Doctors may use aspirin under medical supervision to treat certain health conditions in children, such as Kawasaki disease. However, using it at home to manage fever can be dangerous.

In children with a viral infection, aspirin may cause Reye syndrome, a rare disorder that causes brain and liver damage.

A heart murmur is a sound made by blood circulating through the heart’s chambers or valves, or through blood vessels near the heart. Heart murmurs in children are relatively common and are usually harmless.

Other times, however, a heart murmur may signal an underlying cardiovascular problem. Heart murmurs may develop due to:

  • CHDs
  • fever
  • anemia

If a doctor hears an abnormal heart murmur in a child, they’ll perform additional tests on the heart. “Innocent” heart murmurs usually resolve by themselves, but if the heart murmur is caused by a problem with the heart, it may require additional treatment.

This condition occurs when the thin sac or membrane that surrounds the heart (pericardium) becomes inflamed or infected. The amount of fluid between its two layers increases, impairing the heart’s ability to pump blood properly.

Pericarditis has a few different causes, including:

Treatments depend on the severity of the disease, age, and overall health.

An infection with group A streptococcus bacteria, which causes strep throat and scarlet fever, can also cause rheumatic heart disease. It usually appears around 2 to 3 weeks after an infection.

This disease can permanently damage the heart valves and the heart muscle by causing heart muscle inflammation, known as myocarditis.

Rheumatic fever typically occurs in children ages 5 to 15 years, but usually, the symptoms of rheumatic heart disease don’t show up until adulthood. Rheumatic fever and subsequent rheumatic heart disease are more common in developing countries.

This disease can be prevented by promptly treating strep throat with antibiotics.

Viral, bacterial, and fungal infections can cause myocarditis, which may affect the heart’s ability to pump blood throughout the body.

Infections of the heart are rare and may show few symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they’re similar to flu-like symptoms, including:

  • fatigue
  • shortness of breath
  • chest discomfort

Treatment typically involves medications and treatments for the symptoms of myocarditis.

The most common cause of heart disease in children is a congenital heart defect, which is a problem with the heart that was present at birth.

More common heart diseases in children in the United States include congenital heart diseases and acquired heart diseases, such as Kawasaki disease.

Children and teens can develop heart disease due to certain health issues, including Kawasaki disease, rheumatic fever, bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, and trauma.

A child or teen may show some indicators of heart problems, such as trouble gaining weight, shortness of breath during activity, heart palpitations, and passing out during activity.

While many types of heart disease can affect children and teens, treatments may help them live a full and active life.

Some types of heart disease may be present at birth, while others may develop due to infections or other health issues. In some cases, prompt treatment can resolve illnesses that cause heart disease. In other cases, children or teens may need lifelong monitoring and care.