What are the symptoms of Ebstein’s anomaly?

What are the symptoms of Ebstein’s anomaly?

The symptoms of Ebstein’s anomaly depend on how severe the defect is.

When the defect is severe, it is usually diagnosed at birth or in the first months of life. The infant’s skin may have a bluish tint, which can be the first sign of the defect, along with early symptoms of heart failure. When symptoms appear this early in life, the defect is usually severe and immediate treatment is required.

When Ebstein’s anomaly is diagnosed in adulthood, the defect is often less severe and the symptoms are less dramatic. Sometimes, Ebstein’s anomaly is mild in childhood but worsens over time and symptoms develop. In adults, the most common symptoms include shortness of breath, occasional chest pain, getting winded easily during exercise and heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmia).

If you are an adult with Ebstein’s anomaly, you should have regular appointments with a cardiologist who specializes in adult congenital heart defects. The doctor will use an electrocardiogram, chest X-rays, echocardiograms and other tests to monitor your heart’s size, pumping ability and rhythm.