Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 10, 2025

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease
07:27

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease

Published on: July 18, 2014

24.8K

Comorbidity and Multimorbidity in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease: Findings From a Multi-Site Population-Based

Lorenzo D Botto1, Matthew R Reeder1, George K Lui2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

Birth Defects Research
|August 21, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) frequently develop multiple comorbidities, particularly endocrine, metabolic, and neuropsychiatric conditions. Understanding these patterns is crucial for improving lifelong care and preventing mortality in this growing population.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Public Health
  • Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

  • Improved survival in congenital heart disease (CHD) has led to a growing adult population.
  • Adults with CHD face numerous comorbidities impacting outcomes and care.
  • Population-based data on comorbidities in adults with CHD are limited, hindering prevention efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the prevalence and patterns of comorbid conditions in adults with congenital heart disease.
  • To identify common cardiac and noncardiac comorbidities in this population.
  • To explore variations in comorbidity burden based on sociodemographic factors.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based, cross-sectional study of 18,672 adults (aged 19-64) with CHD in the US.
  • Data from linked clinical and administrative sources (inpatient, outpatient, emergency department) between 2011-2013.
  • Inclusion based on ≥1 CHD-related diagnosis code.

Main Results:

  • A high prevalence of comorbidities was observed: 88.5% had at least one, and 76% had multiple.
  • Noncardiac comorbidities were more frequent than cardiac ones, including endocrine/metabolic (diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypothyroidism), hypertension, and neuropsychiatric conditions.
  • Comorbidity rates varied by sociodemographics; men and older adults had higher rates, irrespective of CHD type.

Conclusions:

  • Preventable comorbidities and multimorbidity are highly prevalent in adults with CHD.
  • Comorbidity patterns are influenced by sociodemographic factors and CHD type.
  • Lifelong, coordinated, data-driven care and health metric tracking are essential to reduce mortality.
Abstract

Keywords:
adultscomorbiditydisparityepidemiologyheart defects congenitalmultimorbidity

More Related Videos

Fetal Mouse Cardiovascular Imaging Using a High-frequency Ultrasound 30/45MHZ System07:34

Fetal Mouse Cardiovascular Imaging Using a High-frequency Ultrasound 30/45MHZ System

Published on: May 5, 2018

11.8K
Analysis of Congenital Heart Defects in Mouse Embryos Using Qualitative and Quantitative Histological Methods08:28

Analysis of Congenital Heart Defects in Mouse Embryos Using Qualitative and Quantitative Histological Methods

Published on: March 10, 2020

7.0K

Related Concept Videos

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
57
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
47
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
38
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
39
Heart Failure III: Clinical Manifestations01:26

Heart Failure III: Clinical Manifestations

Heart failure (HF) manifests primarily as dyspnea, fatigue, and fluid retention, resulting in peripheral and pulmonary edema. Symptoms may vary depending on which ventricle is more affected, left or right.Left-Sided Heart FailureAlso known as left ventricular failure, this condition results from the left ventricle's inability to fill or eject sufficient blood into the systemic circulation. It leads to pulmonary congestion, which occurs when the left ventricle fails to eject blood effectively...
43
Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation01:30

Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation

Heart failure can be classified in various ways, with the most common classifications based on physical activity limitations, disease progression, severity, and treatment strategies.The Functional Classification of Heart Failure divides patients into four categories based on physical activity limitation due to symptom burden.Class I: Patients in this class have cardiac disease but no physical activity limitations. Ordinary activities like walking, climbing stairs, or routine tasks do not cause...
32