TYPES OF CONGENITAL HEART CONDITIONS
• HCM is a condition in which the heart wall muscle is thicker than 1.5cm, compared to the normal 1.1cm. The thickened wall is associated with left ventricular outflow obstruction, which does not allow the heart to pump blood effectively. At times, this may lead to irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death.
• HCM is also associated with arrhythmia, namely, ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. Ventricular tachycardia is caused by abnormal electrical signals in the lower chambers of the heart. Ventricular fibrillation occurs when the heart beats with rapid, erratic electrical impulses. • Due to ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, the heart is unable to pump blood out from the left ventricle. The lifethreatening arrhythmia will lead to sudden cardiac death. In the US, it is reported that HCM has been positively identified in 36 per cent of sudden cardiac deaths in athletes under 30, and cited as a possible cause in another eight per cent. • This condition is due to the coronary artery originating at an abnormal location along the aorta. It is sandwiched between the pulmonary artery and aorta. Normally, the coronary artery comes out from the left and right side of the aorta.
• The person who has this condition does not experience any problem during resting. However, during exercise, there is a sudden increase in pressure in the aorta which will compress the coronary artery against the pulmonary artery which will lead to cardiac arrest.