How to Keep Your Child Safe Amid the 'Tripledemic'

congenital disorder :: Article Creator

Finn Fest Kicks Off Friday, Raising Money For Congenital Heart Disease Research

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The sixth edition of Finn Fest, only two days away, raises awareness about congenital heart disease, and a central Kentucky family is at the forefront.

Finn Collier's spirit lives on through this fundraiser after Finn passed in 2019 from congenital heart defects.

"He would want us to keep going. He wouldn't want us to sit around being sad or not contributing in some way," Finn's Mom, Tricia Collier, said.

Finn's parents, Tricia and John, are major contributors in the fight against congenital heart disease. As a tribute to their son, Finn Fest is one of their big initiatives.

"I think it's just something he would want us to do and it keeps us busy, and it helps us to just always keep him in the forefront," Tricia noted.

Finn himself, despite being born with congenital heart defects, was so involved; as Tricia puts it, he lived a full life.

"He advocated for heart research through the American Heart Association. We made trips to Washington D.C. To meet with Congress. He did a lot of things in his short life," Tricia said.

Reflecting on Finn's life, Tricia said you would've never known he was sick despite five open heart surgeries. Finn loved Keeneland, horses, and music.

"He sang everyday so I think if we were going to have a way to raise money for this, this is how he'd want it done," Tricia added.

Proceeds from Finn Fest have doubled every year from the previous year for congenital heart defect research and Central Kentucky Make-A-Wish. Last year alone, Finn Fest raised $30,000.

"I think just being in so many different areas of different types of groups has just helped us spread the word," Tricia said.

The event includes the Finn Collier Service Award and live music. With Manchester Music Hall up next, in the spotlight taking center stage at Finn Fest, ultimately, this is the message for those in attendance.

"I hope that they do their own research into what it's all about and get more interested and continue to come back every year," Tricia said.

Every time, the goal is to honor Finn and continue working to find a cure for congenital heart disease.

Doors open for Finn Fest at 7 p.M. Friday at Manchester Music Hall. Rob Unseld is the opener followed by Elvie Shane, the headliner.

You can buy tickets online through Manchester Music Hall and if you want to donate, click here.

Congenital Heart Disease: Trends Show Decreased LOS, Increased Hospitalization Rate

Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) have a decreasing length of hospital stay across previous decades compared with the general population, although an increasing hospitalization rate similar to the general population and driven by noncardiovascular comorbidities and primarily attributable to patients with minor CHD, according to study findings published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Investigators in Denmark explored causes of lifetime hospitalization burden and its temporal trend among the CHD population. All-cause hospitalization was the primary outcome. Cardiovascular and noncardiovascular hospitalization and length of hospital stay were among the secondary outcomes.

The investigators conducted a nationwide cohort study using the Danish National Patient Registry (DNPR) and ICD-8 and -10 codes to identify 23,141 patients with CHD from January 1977 through December 2018. Patients were followed either through December 2018 or until death. Patients with CHD were categorized into minor CHD or major CHD and matched 1:10 with control individuals by sex and birth year. Patients who had received a CHD operation or transcatheter intervention during the study period but were without a CHD diagnosis were categorized with CHD, and those with multiple CHD diagnoses were categorized by their most complex CHD diagnosis.

In a comparison between 1977 and 2018, the total patients with CHD increased significantly, primarily driven by the increase in minor CHDs. The median age of patients increased from 17 (IQR, 7-32) years in 1977 to 23 (IQR, 12-44) years in 2018, with the overall proportion of children decreasing from 51% to 39%.

The increase in hospitalization rate was driven by noncardiovascular hospitalizations, with the patients with minor CHD being the key contributor to the increasing rate.

The investigators noted that, over time, the all-cause hospitalization rate increased from 28.3 to 36.4 hospitalizations per 100 person-years (PY) with a per decade rate difference (RD) of approximately 2.5 hospitalizations per 100 PY (95% CI, 2.0-3.1) for patients with CHD vs control individuals who had an increase from 10.8 to 17.0 per 100 PY and RD per decade of 2.0 per 100 PY (95% CI, 1.8-2.2; PRD for CHD vs control=.08).

Among patients with major CHDs, the all-cause hospitalization rate remained constant (RD per decade, -0.2; 95% CI, -1.2 to 0.9 per 100 PY) although, among patients with minor CHDs, this rate increased (RD per decade, 5.2; 95% CI, 4.3-6.0 per 100 PY).

The cardiovascular hospitalization rate remained constant over time for all patients (RD per decade, 0.2; 95% CI, -0.3 to 0.6 per 100 PY), although the noncardiovascular hospitalization rate increased over time (RD per decade, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.6-2.7 per 100 PY).

Among all patients with CHD, the length of all-cause hospital stay decreased across time from 2.7 days per PY in 1977 to 1987 to 1.6 days per PY in 2008 to 2018.

Study limitations include the lack of clinical information in registry data could lead to misclassification between minor CHD and more severe disease, the large proportion of hospitalizations due to CHD-related nonspecific causes possibly leading to misclassification that could affect temporal trends in cardiovascular and noncardiovascular hospitalization rates, and the use of ICD codes to identify patients with CHD. Additionally, there is lack of generalizability beyond the relatively homogenous Danish population with universal health care.

"Compared with previous decades, patients with CHD have an increasing hospitalization rate, similar to the general population, but a decreasing length of hospital stay," the investigators concluded. "The increase in hospitalization rate was driven by noncardiovascular hospitalizations, with the patients with minor CHD being the key contributor to the increasing rate."

Disclosure: Some study authors declared affiliations with biotech, pharmaceutical, and/or device companies. Please see the original reference for a full list of authors' disclosures.

Living With A Hidden Heart Condition: Asymptomatic Cardiac Disease

Heart disease is often perceived as a condition with clear warning signs—chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations. However, for many individuals, heart disease may remain hidden for years, silently progressing without noticeable symptoms. Asymptomatic cardiac disease is a dangerous and often overlooked aspect of cardiovascular health. This condition, where individuals have heart disease but experience no symptoms, poses a significant risk as it can suddenly escalate into life-threatening events such as a sudden cardiac arrest.

Asymptomatic heart conditions, including coronary artery disease (CAD), congenital heart defects, cardiomyopathies, and arrhythmias, may lurk in the body without warning. These conditions may exist from birth, like congenital heart diseases, or develop over time as a result of lifestyle factors, age, or genetics. Young adults, particularly those aged 10–20, may face valvular heart diseases linked to rheumatic fever, while coronary artery disease becomes a significant threat as individuals age, particularly in those over 40.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is one of the most prevalent forms of asymptomatic heart disease. It occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked due to the build-up of cholesterol, calcium, and clots. For years, a person may live with this blockage, unaware that it is progressing until the obstruction surpasses 70%, at which point symptoms like chest pain (angina) or, worse, a heart attack may occur. Unfortunately, in some cases, even minimal blockages can rupture and trigger a sudden heart attack, leading to death within hours. Many people with these CAD may go years without any signs of illness, not realizing they are on a path toward a life-threatening cardiac event.

Congenital heart diseases, present at birth, can often remain undetected until later in life. Some individuals may not experience symptoms until they reach their 20s or 30s. While many congenital heart issues can be corrected surgically or managed medically, their asymptomatic nature means routine screenings are essential. Similarly, Cardiac arrhythmias, or irregular heart rhythms, may also be asymptomatic yet fatal. Regular ECGs can detect these silent killers and allow for timely intervention.

The Need for Preventive Cardiac Care

The best defence against the hidden dangers of asymptomatic cardiac disease is a proactive approach to heart health. This includes regular screenings, especially for those with known risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or a family history of heart disease. Given the unpredictability and severity of asymptomatic heart conditions, routine heart health screening becomes essential. For individuals between the ages of 20 and 40, it is advisable to undergo medical screenings including cardiac checks every five years. As one ages, particularly after 40, screenings should become more frequent, ideally every two years or even annually for those with significant risk factors.

Routine cardiac assessments such as ECGs, echocardiograms, and treadmill tests provide critical insights into heart function and can detect issues before they manifest into life-threatening events. Even for those who feel healthy, these tests are tools for detecting asymptomatic heart disease.

Lifestyle modifications also play a crucial role in prevention. Maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, managing stress, and avoiding smoking can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. Monitoring and controlling cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood sugar are critical in preventing the progression of diseases in the arteries.

In conclusion, he silent nature of many heart conditions makes them especially dangerous. But with regular screenings, early detection, and proactive health management, the risks of asymptomatic cardiac diseases can be mitigated. Let's prioritize heart health, because the absence of symptoms does not equate to the absence of disease.

This article is authored by Dr. KRKS Raju, Cardiologist, GVK Health Hub

Ebola Virus Disease