Pediatric Home Health Care in Bellville, OH – Understanding Aortic Regurgitation
When your child is diagnosed with aortic regurgitation, you probably have lots of questions. Your child’s health care professionals are a great resource, and they can point you in the right direction to the information you may need.
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has provided a lot of good information on their website located at: http://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/aortic-regurgitation#.VM2coy4ep99
“What is aortic regurgitation? When the heart squeezes, the left ventricle (the lower left chamber) contracts, pushing blood out into the aorta, the main artery that takes blood to the body. The aortic valve is located between the left ventricle and the aorta and prevents blood from leaking back in between beats. Aortic regurgitation or insufficiency occurs when the aortic valve doesn’t completely close and allows some blood to leak back into the heart. Aortic regurgitation can be trivial, mild, moderate or severe.”
Signs and Symptoms
There usually aren’t any symptoms for infants or young children but as the child ages, abnormal signs may occur such as heart murmur, fatigue and sometimes chest pain or fainting.
Tests and Diagnosis
In order to make a complete diagnosis, the doctor may conduct some or all of the following tests.
· Pulse oximetry. This is a painless way to monitor the blood’s oxygen levels
· Chest X-ray
· Echocardiogram
· Electrocardiogram (ECG)
· Exercise stress test
· Cardiac MRI which gives a 3-dimensional image to show abnormalities in the heart
· Cardiac catheterization where a thin tube is inserted through a vein or artery in the leg or belly button and into the heart
Treatment
Treatments will depend on the severity of the regurgitation. They may include medications, surgery to repair or even replace the aortic valve, the use of an artificial valve, the use of blood thinners to lower clotting risks, or a procedure called the Ross Procedure. Medical advances have helped people with this condition go on to live healthy, productive lives. Regular checkups and supervision by a cardiologist may be necessary throughout the child’s life including adulthood.
When your child needs specialized medical attention at home, talk to your doctor about pediatric home health care. A trained and loving nurse can look after the medical needs of your child so you don’t have to worry and can use your time and energies to be the parent all your children need. It takes a load of worry off your mind, knowing your child with health needs is getting the best care possible, and in the comfort of your own home.
If you are considering hiring Pediatric Home Healthcare services near Bellville, Ohio, call the caring staff at Central Star Home Health at (419) 610-2161. Providing services for families in Mansfield, Lexington, Ashland, Bellville, Crestline, Galion, Loudonville, Mt. Gilead, Shelby, Wooster and the surrounding areas.
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