Difference Between Cyanotic and Acyanotic Heart Disease

Cyanotic or Acyanotic? Learn the Heart Defect Types

Congenital heart diseases are structural heart defects that are present at birth. These defects can be classified into two main categories - cyanotic and acyanotic. The primary difference lies in the oxygen levels in the blood and the resulting symptoms due to that. Read this guide to know more about them.

Comparative Overview of Cyanotic and Acyanotic Heart Disease

Here is an overview of cyanotic and acyanotic heart disease that one needs to know about:

What is Cyanotic Heart Disease?

Cyanotic heart disease refers to conditions where blood flow through the lungs, but deoxygenated blood mixes with oxygenated blood before entering the systemic circulation, sometimes it completely bypasses the lungs. It leads to reduced oxygen levels in the body.

Symptoms of Cyanotic Heart Disease

Here is an overview of a few symptoms of cyanotic heart disease:

• Bluish Skin, Lips and Nails: This is a clear sign of low oxygen levels in the blood. It is visible in the face, fingers, or toes soon after birth.
• Rapid or Laboured Breathing: Infants may struggle to breathe at all or take fast breaths when at rest or feeding.
• Poor Feeding: Babies may suck weakly, pause often, or tire quickly during feeding. It leads to nutritional issues.
• Failure to Gain Weight: Due to poor feeding and higher energy use from struggling to breathe or circulate blood, individuals fail to gain weight normally.
• Sleepiness or Low Alertness: Low oxygen levels affect the proper functioning of the brain. This makes babies feel more drowsy than usual.
• Irritability: Babies might cry or seem unsettled, particularly when they are hungry or tired.
• Fatigue: Children may become tired easily with very little activity or stimulation.
• Fainting or Seizures: It can occur during times when there is a sudden drop in oxygen levels.

What is Acyanotic Heart Disease?

Acyanotic heart disease refers to defects that do not significantly reduce oxygen levels in blood but lead to other circulatory issues.

Symptoms of Acyanotic Heart Disease

Here is an overview of a few symptoms of acyanotic heart disease:

• Sweating During Feeding or Sleep: The heart works even harder to pump blood. It requires an increased effort and thereby leads to sweating.
• Frequent Chest Infections: Having congestion in the lungs makes respiratory infections like pneumonia or colds more common.
• Heart Murmur: An abnormal sound of the heartbeat, also called a heart murmur, is the first detectable sign. It can be heard during a routine check-up.
• Mild Chest Pain and Discomfort: In older children, heart strain can lead to occasional tightness in the chest area.
• Delayed Development: In the more severe and untreated cases, there can be a delayed development of growth and motor skills in children.
• Signs of Heart Enlargement or Fluid Buildup: It can present as visible neck veins or a swollen belly.

Cyanotic and acyanotic heart diseases differ primarily in blood oxygen levels and symptom presentation. While cyanotic conditions cause visible bluish discolouration due to low oxygen, acyanotic defects maintain normal oxygenation but may strain the heart. Understanding these differences aids in the timely diagnosis, treatment, and management of congenital heart conditions.