Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

A healthcare provider can make a hypoplastic left heart syndrome diagnosis with information from harmless imaging.

Your provider may do this during your pregnancy or soon after your baby is born.

During pregnancy, healthcare providers use painless and non-invasive imaging methods such as:

Ultrasound.
Fetal echocardiogram (ultrasound) to evaluate your baby’s heart before birth.

After your baby is born, healthcare providers diagnose the condition by observing symptoms and examining test results. They may hear a heart murmur while using a stethoscope to listen to your baby’s heart. This means blood isn’t flowing the way it should.

What tests will be done to diagnose hypoplastic left heart syndrome?

Tests for a hypoplastic left heart syndrome diagnosis may include:

Chest X-ray: This shows the size and shape of your baby’s heart and lungs.
Echocardiogram: This ultrasound shows internal heart structures.
Electrocardiogram (EKG): This measures electrical changes during a heartbeat.
Pulse oximetry screening: This tells how much oxygen is in your baby’s bloodstream.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

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