As a child moves into adolescence, they will begin to exert more independence. For an adolescent with CHD this can be somewhat overwhelming in regards to their medical condition. It is important for families to work with their medical community to ensure that their adolescent with CHD learns to understand their CHD and to prepare to assume responsibility for the management of their CHD. This process is called transition. When the transition process is implemented by family and medical staff early in the adolescent years, adolescents will have time to gain confidence in regards to their healthcare and will be prepared to assume responsibility for the choices related to their CHD as adults.

 

Knowing the answers to these questions can start the conversation with your teen to prepare him/her for the eventual transition.

Encourage responsibility and self-care

Make sure your child knows all about his/her condition and medical history. Studies show that adults with CHD often do not know much about their heart condition, which can jeopardize self-care.  When appropriate, encourage your child to see the cardiologist on his/her own so that they can begin taking control of their care.  When needed, involve a health professional such as a social worker, psychologist, or specialist in adolescent medicine with expertise in dealing with teenager issues.

 

Alcohol, Smoking, and Drug Use

Depending on the type of CHD a teenager has, drinking alcohol may worsen the condition or cause symptoms, like palpitations.  Alcohol can also interact with medications.  Check with your doctor to know how to proceed regarding alcohol intake.

Smoking results in circulation problems and possibly blood vessel damage.  Smoking can have an effect on the drug levels in your child’s body.

Regarding over-the-counter drugs, check with your child’s cardiologist to make sure that there is no risk given his/her condition or other medications.

Talk to your child’s cardiologist about what herbal remedies, if any, are safe to use.

Regarding street drug use, it is important that teenagers be aware of how street drugs can potentially affect their condition – they can increase side effects, introduce new ones, or increase or decrease the effect of heart drugs.

 

Piercings and Tattoos

People with heart conditions are always at risk of bacterial endocarditis, which is why they must take antibiotics if they are undergoing surgery or having work done on their teeth.  Any procedures that draw blood, that includes things like piercings and tattoos, enable bacteria to get into the system.

 

Sex and Contraception

Young adults with CHD should get information about having sex well before they consider becoming sexually active.

Oral contraceptives (combined estrogen and progesterone) are safe for most young girls with CHDs; however, they are not appropriate for those with cyanotic CHDs, complex disease, or pulmonary hypertension.  The concern with oral contraception is that it increases risk of blood clots, so oral contraception should not be used by those at risk for clotting or with high blood pressure (progestin-only contraceptives may be an alternative).  Intrauterine devices (IUDs) should not be used if bacterial endocarditis is a risk.