Essay On Tetralogy Of Fallot

697 Words2 Pages

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most leading causes of death of both men and women. There are different types of cardiovascular disease such as coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, carotid artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, and heart failure just to name a few (World Heart Federation). Being a celebrity has many advantages, but it does not exclude one from heart health complications.
Shaun White is an Olympic medalist and daredevil. “White was born with four heart abnormalities causing him to go through two open-heart surgeries before he was a year old” (Good Housekeeping). This condition is termed “tetralogy of Fallot – a term that describes a combination of heart defects including a hole between the pumping chambers of the heart and an abnormally narrowed valve and surrounding structures that link the right side of the heart to the lungs” (Learn). “The causes of tetralogy of Fallot among babies are unknown. Heart defects such as tetralogy of Fallot are thought to be caused by a combination of genes and other risk factors including the environment the mother comes in contact with” (CDC). The pulmonary circuit of the respiratory system is affected. In this circuit the oxygenated blood is moved from the lungs to the right side of the heart. In the early medicine era, “doctors created a shunt by disconnecting an artery leading to the arm, reconnecting it to the lungs” (Learn). Surgery is needed in order to correct the defects. “White had surgery as a baby and says he’s grateful to his doctors. Even after successful surgery, patients with tetralogy of Fallot face a greater risk of serious heart problems. [White must] get regular checkups to monitor his heart throughout his lifetime” (Mayberry). “During su...

... middle of paper ...

...3. Web. 26 April 2014.
DeNoon, Daniel J. “Toni Braxton’s Microvascular Angina: FAQ.” WebMD. WebMD. 23 September 2008. Web. 25 April 2014
Learn, Christopher MD “Olympic Success Despite Congenital Heart Condition.” Cincinnati Children Blog. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. 8 February 2014. Web. 25 April 2014
Maugh, Thomas H. II. “Elizabeth Taylor dies of congestive heart failure. What is it?” Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times. 23 March 2011. Web. 26 April 2014.
Mayberry, Sarah M.P.H. “Shaun White shares childhood battle with heart defects”. Click On Detroit. WDIV – Detroit. 9 February 2014. Web. 25 April 2014.
McMillen, Matt “Actress Elizabeth Taylor Dies of Heart Failure”. WebMD. WebMD. 23 March 2011. Web. 26 April 2014.
Right Diagnosis “Inheritance and Genetics of Microvascular angina” Right Diagnosis. Health Grades. N/A Web. 26 April 2014.

Open Document