[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ background_color=”#2ea3f2″ background_image=”https:\/\/utahchd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/shutterstock_80600128_teenagers_school_hallway_cropped_1127X300.jpg”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”CHDs and Adolescents” text_orientation=”center” admin_label=”Hero Section” _builder_version=”3.16″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”Montserrat|on|||” title_font_size=”60px” title_line_height=”1.4em” content_font_size=”22px” content_line_height=”1.8em” subhead_font=”||||” background_color=”rgba(255, 255, 255, 0)” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(224,189,114,0.76)” background_color_gradient_end=”rgba(224,195,134,0.45)” custom_button_one=”on” button_one_text_size=”16px” button_one_bg_color=”#6eba01″ button_one_border_color=”#6eba01″ button_one_border_radius=”0″ button_one_letter_spacing=”2″ button_one_font=”Montserrat|||on|” button_one_use_icon=”off” custom_button_two=”on” button_two_text_size=”16px” button_two_border_color=”#ffffff” button_two_border_radius=”0″ button_two_letter_spacing=”2″ button_two_font=”Montserrat|||on|” button_two_use_icon=”off” module_alignment=”left” animation_style=”fade” button_one_text_color_hover=”#6eba01″ button_two_text_color_hover=”#6eba01″ button_one_border_color_hover=”#ffffff” button_two_border_color_hover=”#ffffff” button_one_border_radius_hover=”0″ button_two_border_radius_hover=”0″ button_one_letter_spacing_hover=”2″ button_two_letter_spacing_hover=”2″ button_one_bg_color_hover=”#ffffff” button_two_bg_color_hover=”#ffffff” saved_tabs=”all” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_text_color__hover=”#6eba01″ button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_two_text_color__hover=”#6eba01″ button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_border_color__hover=”#ffffff” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_two_border_color__hover=”#ffffff” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_border_radius__hover=”0″ button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”on” button_two_border_radius__hover=”0″ button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”2″ button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”2″ button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_bg_color__hover=”#ffffff” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_two_bg_color__hover=”#ffffff”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”For more information about some common conditions follow the links below.” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font_size=”16px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off”]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.<\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” column_structure=”1_2,1_2″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font_size=”16px”]The adolescent years (10-19 years of age) of your child will be filled with many physical, emotional, and social changes.\u00a0 This is in addition to helping your child understand and take responsibility for their heart health.\u00a0 An important part of your child\u2019s adolescent years will be to learn about and understand their heart condition and prepare them for changes in health care services from the pediatric setting to the adult setting.\u00a0 This process is known as \u2018Transition of Care\u2019.\u00a0 It has been recommended that this education and transition process be started in the early teenage years (13-16 years old).<\/p>\n
Adolescents are still in the process of learning how to communicate with their health care providers, as most communication between adolescents and health care providers is mediated through the parents.
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/utahchd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Stages-of-adolescence-and-aspects-of-transitioning-table.png” show_in_lightbox=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″ always_center_on_mobile=”on”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” column_structure=”1_2,1_2″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/utahchd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Checklist.png” show_in_lightbox=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″ always_center_on_mobile=”on”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font_size=”16px”]Knowing the answers to these questions can start the conversation with your teen to prepare him\/her for the eventual transition.
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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.\u00a0 When appropriate, encourage your child to see the cardiologist on his\/her own so that they can begin taking control of their care.\u00a0 When needed, involve a health professional such as a social worker, psychologist, or specialist in adolescent medicine with expertise in dealing with teenager issues.<\/p>\n
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Depending on the type of CHD a teenager has, drinking alcohol may worsen the condition or cause symptoms, like palpitations.\u00a0 Alcohol can also interact with medications.\u00a0 Check with your doctor to know how to proceed regarding alcohol intake.<\/p>\n
Smoking results in circulation problems and possibly blood vessel damage.\u00a0 Smoking can have an effect on the drug levels in your child\u2019s body.<\/p>\n
Regarding over-the-counter drugs, check with your child\u2019s cardiologist to make sure that there is no risk given his\/her condition or other medications.<\/p>\n
Talk to your child\u2019s cardiologist about what herbal remedies, if any, are safe to use.<\/p>\n
Regarding street drug use, it is important that teenagers be aware of how street drugs can potentially affect their condition \u2013 they can increase side effects, introduce new ones, or increase or decrease the effect of heart drugs.<\/p>\n
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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.\u00a0 Any procedures that draw blood, that includes things like piercings and tattoos, enable bacteria to get into the system.<\/p>\n
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Young adults with CHD should get information about having sex well before they consider becoming sexually active.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0 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).\u00a0 Intrauterine devices (IUDs) should not be used if bacterial endocarditis is a risk. Clarizia NA, Chahal N, Manlhiot C, Kilburn J, Redington AN, McCrindle BW. Transition to adult health care for adolescents and young adults with congenital heart disease: perspectives of the patient, parent and health care provider. Can J Cardiol<\/em> 2009;25:317-322.<\/p>\n Hetherington R. The teen with congenital heart disease. 2009. The Hospital for Sick Children. http:\/\/www.aboutkidshealth.ca\/En\/ResourceCentres\/CongenitalHeartConditions\/LookingAhead\/TheTeenWithCongenitalHeartDisease\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a>. Accessed February 22, 2018.<\/p>\n Nanako KT, Crawford GB, Zenzano T, Peralta L Transitioning adolescents into adult healthcare. 2011.<\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_color=”rgba(127,165,193,0.36)” width=”89%” width_tablet=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”89%” max_width_tablet=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” make_fullwidth=”on”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb title=”Additional Resources” url=”https:\/\/utahchd.org\/test-home-page-2\/children\/links-resources-children\/” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”%%52%%” icon_color=”#e09900″ icon_placement=”left” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ header_level=”h1″ header_font=”|700|||||||” body_font_size=”16″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]Click here<\/u><\/a> for additional links to CHD resources in Utah and around the country.
\n[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_toggle title=”References” _builder_version=”3.0.105″]Burstr\u00f6m A, \u00d6jmyr-Joelsson M, Bratt EL, Lundell B, Nisell M. Adolescents with congenital heart disease and their parents: needs before transfer to adult care. J Cardiovasc Nurs<\/em>. 2016;31:399-404.<\/p>\n