Congenital heart disease (CHD) are heart diseases that children are born with. CHDs include heart valve disorders, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, disorders involving holes in the heart, and tetralogy of Fallot. 

Signs of congenital heart disease in children include

• rapid heartbeat.
• rapid breathing.
• swelling of the legs, tummy or around the eyes.
• Heaviness in breath, extreme tiredness or fatigue.
• a tinge of blueness in the skin or lips (cyanosis)

In small babies, they may have difficulty gulping food.

Atherosclerosis is a heart condition when plaque builds up inside arteries, leading to a narrowing and hardening of the arteries. While it is commonly associated with adults, it can also occur in children, particularly those with risk factors such as obesity, high BP, and high cholesterol. Atherosclerosis in children can lead to serious complications such as heart attack and stroke later in life. 

Rheumatic heart disease is caused by the untreated streptococcus bacteria responsible for strep throat and scarlet fever. It may cause permanent damage to the heart valves and muscles, leading to inflammation (myocarditis)

It generally occurs in children aged 5-15 years, with symptoms of rheumatic heart disease emerging ten to twenty years after the initial illness.

Arrhythmias are abnormal rhythms of the heart that may cause weakness, fatigue, dizziness, fainting, or difficulty feeding. They can occur in children due to various factors such as congenital heart disease, infections, or electrolyte imbalances. 

Examples of arrhythmias include supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, and atrial fibrillation.

Pericarditis happens when the pericardium, the thin sac surrounding the heart, becomes inflamed or infected, leading to increased fluid between its two layers that impair the heart’s pumping ability. It may result from chest traumas, bacterial infections, connective tissue disorders, or surgery to repair a congenital heart condition. The treatment depends on the child’s overall health, age, and the severity of the disease.

High blood pressure (BP)in children can occur due to various factors such as obesity, kidney disease, and certain medications. If left untreated, high BP can lead to serious complications such as cardiac disease and stroke.

Kawasaki disease can cause inflammation in the blood vessels and causes heart conditions in as many as 1 in 4 children. It mostly affects children under five . 

Kawasaki disease is a rare illness affecting children by causing inflammation in their blood vessels, particularly in their hands, feet, mouth, lips, and throat. It also leads to fever and swelling in the lymph nodes, and its cause remains unknown.

 The treatment usually involves intravenous gamma globulin or aspirin, while corticosteroids may reduce future complications. Patients require lifelong monitoring of their heart health.

 Heart murmurs may be harmless or may signal an underlying cardiovascular problem. 

A heart murmur is a sound of blood flow through the heart chambers, valves, or blood vessels near the heart that may signal an underlying cardiovascular condition or be harmless. Congenital heart disease, fever, or anaemia can cause heart murmurs.

Viral infections can cause myocarditis, affecting the heart’s ability to pump blood throughout the body.

Viral infections have the potential to cause myocarditis, which can impair the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively throughout the body.

Although rare, viral infections of the heart may exhibit few symptoms. When symptoms do manifest, they can resemble those of the flu, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort. The treatment typically involves medications and symptom-based therapies to manage myocarditis.