Acquired Heart Disorders in Children – Grand Rapids, MI Guide

Some children in Grand Rapids and across West Michigan develop heart problems after birth, usually following an infection or inflammatory illness. These are called acquired heart disorders and are different from congenital heart defects (heart problems present at birth).

Families in the Grand Rapids area can access specialized pediatric heart care through:

  • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health and affiliated cardiology clinics
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health for prevention, vaccines, and community resources

Cold Michigan winters and frequent viral infections (flu, RSV, COVID-19) can play a role in some acquired heart problems, making prevention and early care important.

What Is an Acquired Heart Disorder?

An acquired heart disorder is any heart problem that develops after birth, often following:

  • Viral or bacterial infections
  • Immune system reactions
  • Inflammation of heart muscle or blood vessels
  • Untreated throat infections (strep throat)

The four main types of acquired heart disorders in children are:

  1. Kawasaki disease
  2. Myocarditis
  3. Cardiomyopathy
  4. Rheumatic heart disease

These conditions can affect the heart muscle, valves, or coronary arteries and may lead to poor heart function if not treated promptly.

Kawasaki Disease in Children

What Is Kawasaki Disease?

Kawasaki disease is an illness that mainly affects young children, usually 5 years old and under, though older children can be affected. It causes inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis) throughout the body and can damage:

  • The heart muscle
  • The coronary arteries (the blood vessels that supply the heart)

Kawasaki disease is named after the Japanese pediatrician who first described it. The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed to be an abnormal immune reaction to a common germ. It is not contagious, although cases can sometimes occur in clusters.

Why It Matters in Grand Rapids

In Grand Rapids, Kawasaki disease is uncommon but important because it can cause coronary artery aneurysms and long-term heart problems if not treated quickly. Pediatric cardiology teams at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and other Grand Rapids hospitals are experienced in diagnosing and managing this condition.

Symptoms of Kawasaki Disease

The main symptom is:

  • Persistent high fever (over 38.5°C / 101.3°F) for 5 days or longer that:
    • Has no clear cause
    • Does not respond well to usual fever medicines like acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Other common symptoms (due to inflamed small blood vessels) may include:

  • Rash, sometimes in the groin area
  • Red, swollen, cracked lips
  • Red eyes without discharge
  • Bright red, swollen tongue (“strawberry tongue”)
  • Swollen hands and feet
  • Red rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
  • Swollen lymph nodes, usually in the neck

If your child in Grand Rapids has a fever for 5 days or more plus several of these symptoms, seek urgent care or visit a local emergency department.

How Kawasaki Disease Is Diagnosed

There is no single test for Kawasaki disease. Diagnosis is made by:

  • Excluding other causes of fever and inflammation
  • Looking at the pattern of symptoms
  • Performing blood tests (to check for inflammation and organ function)
  • Ordering an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) to look for:
    • Swelling or changes in the coronary arteries
    • Heart muscle inflammation

In Grand Rapids, echocardiograms and pediatric cardiology evaluations are available at major hospitals such as Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and Trinity Health Grand Rapids.

Treatment for Kawasaki Disease

Most children recover fully if treated early. Treatment usually includes:

  • Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)

    • A medication made from donated blood (immunoglobulins)
    • Given through a vein in the hospital
    • Helps reduce inflammation and protect the coronary arteries
    • Works best when given within 10 days of the start of fever

  • High-dose aspirin

    • Helps reduce inflammation and prevent blood clots in the coronary arteries
    • Continued for several weeks as directed by the cardiologist

Important:
Aspirin is not usually recommended for children because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition. In Kawasaki disease, aspirin should only be given under the direction of a doctor, pediatrician, or pediatric cardiologist.

Long-Term Outlook for Kawasaki Disease

  • Most children who receive proper treatment make a full recovery.
  • A small number develop:
    • Coronary artery damage or aneurysms
    • Long-term heart problems

These children may need:

  • Regular cardiology follow-up into adolescence and adulthood
  • Repeat echocardiograms and sometimes CT or MRI scans of the heart

In Grand Rapids, long-term follow-up is typically coordinated through pediatric cardiology clinics at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital or other local hospital systems.

Myocarditis in Children

What Is Myocarditis?

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium). It often follows an infection, especially viral infections, which are common during Michigan’s fall and winter seasons.

Infections can damage heart cells. The immune system then attacks the infection, but sometimes the response is too strong and also damages the heart muscle itself.

This can cause:

  • Swelling and thickening of the heart muscle
  • Damage that may heal or become scar tissue
  • Reduced ability of the heart to pump blood effectively

Causes of Myocarditis

Common causes and triggers include:

  • Viral infections, such as:
    • Influenza (flu)
    • COVID-19
    • Rubella
    • Glandular fever (mononucleosis / Epstein-Barr virus)
    • Other respiratory viruses common in Michigan winters
  • Bacterial infections, such as:
    • Diphtheria (rare due to vaccination)
    • Strep infections in some cases
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • HIV infection (rare in children in the U.S.)

Routine childhood immunizations and annual flu vaccines (available through local pediatricians, pharmacies, and the Kent County Health Department) can help prevent some infections that may trigger myocarditis.

Symptoms of Myocarditis

Myocarditis can be mild or severe, and sometimes there are no obvious symptoms. When symptoms occur, they may include:

  • Poor circulation, shown by:
    • Cold hands and feet
    • Skin color changes (blue or grey tones)
  • Swelling in:
    • Face
    • Feet or legs
  • Decreased urine output (less wet diapers or fewer trips to the bathroom)
  • Shortness of breath or fast breathing
  • Chest pain or palpitations (feeling the heart racing or pounding)
  • Fatigue, weakness, or poor feeding in infants
  • Fever

If your child in Grand Rapids has these symptoms, especially after a recent viral illness, seek prompt medical care.

Diagnosis of Myocarditis

There is no single test that proves myocarditis. Doctors usually use a combination of:

  • Medical history and physical exam
  • Chest X-ray – to see if the heart is enlarged or if there is fluid in the lungs
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) – to check heart rhythm and electrical activity
  • Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) – to see how well the heart is pumping
  • Blood tests – to assess:
    • Heart muscle damage
    • Kidney and liver function
    • Signs of infection or inflammation
  • Cardiac MRI – to look for inflammation or scarring in the heart muscle
  • Heart biopsy (rare, specialized test) – a tiny piece of heart tissue is taken via a catheter passed through a leg blood vessel

These tests are available at major Grand Rapids hospitals with pediatric cardiology services.

Treatment for Myocarditis

There is no specific “cure” that instantly reverses myocarditis. Treatment focuses on:

  1. Treating the underlying cause (for example, antiviral or antibiotic treatment if indicated)
  2. Supporting the heart so it can pump effectively and maintain good circulation

Treatment may include:

  • Bed rest and avoiding strenuous activity
  • Medications to:
    • Control blood pressure
    • Remove excess fluid (diuretics)
    • Support heart function
  • Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or other therapies to reduce inflammation in some cases
  • Oxygen or breathing support in severe cases

Most children recover completely, but some may develop:

  • Chronic heart failure
  • Blood clots that can cause stroke or heart attack (rare)
  • Serious heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias), which can be life-threatening

Follow-up with a pediatric cardiologist in Grand Rapids is essential after a myocarditis diagnosis.

Cardiomyopathy in Children

What Is Cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that affects its size, shape, or function. In children, it can be:

  • Genetic
  • Related to infections (such as myocarditis)
  • Related to other medical conditions

There are three main types:

  1. Dilated cardiomyopathy

    • One or more heart chambers become enlarged and pump more weakly.

  2. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

    • The heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, making it harder for the heart to pump blood.

  3. Restrictive cardiomyopathy

    • The heart muscle becomes stiff and less able to relax and fill with blood.

Causes of Cardiomyopathy

In many children, the cause is unknown, but possible factors include:

  • Genetic disorders (family history of cardiomyopathy)
  • Syndromes such as Noonan syndrome
  • Heart valve problems
  • Viral infections that trigger myocarditis and later weaken the heart muscle

Families in Grand Rapids with a family history of cardiomyopathy or sudden cardiac death should discuss screening with their pediatrician or a pediatric cardiologist.

Symptoms of Cardiomyopathy

Some children have no symptoms in early stages. When symptoms appear, they may include:

  • Shortness of breath, especially with activity
  • Fatigue or poor exercise tolerance
  • Dizziness or light-headedness
  • Fainting (syncope), especially during physical activity
  • Swelling of:
    • Hands and feet
    • Abdomen (belly) with fluid
  • Irregular heart rhythm or palpitations

If your child in Grand Rapids faints during sports or has chest pain or palpitations with exercise, seek urgent evaluation.

Diagnosis of Cardiomyopathy

Tests used to diagnose cardiomyopathy can include:

  • Chest X-ray – to check heart size and lung fluid
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) – to look for rhythm or electrical changes
  • Echocardiogram – to evaluate heart muscle thickness, pumping function, and valve function
  • Blood tests – to look for infections, metabolic problems, or genetic clues
  • Cardiac MRI – to provide detailed images of the heart
  • Cardiac catheterization – to measure pressures inside the heart and sometimes perform a biopsy

These tests are available through pediatric cardiology programs at Grand Rapids hospitals such as Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

Treatment for Cardiomyopathy

Treatment depends on the type and severity of cardiomyopathy and may include:

Medications

  • ACE inhibitors – help relax blood vessels and reduce the heart’s workload
  • Beta blockers – improve heart pumping and control heart rhythm
  • Diuretics – remove excess fluid and reduce swelling
  • Other heart failure or rhythm medications as needed

Devices

  • Pacemaker – coordinates contractions between the left and right ventricles
  • Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) – monitors heart rhythm and can deliver an electrical shock to correct dangerous, fast heart rhythms

Surgery and Transplant

  • Surgical procedures to relieve obstruction (in some hypertrophic cardiomyopathy cases)
  • Heart transplant – for children with severe, advanced cardiomyopathy who do not improve with other treatments

Children with cardiomyopathy in the Grand Rapids area are usually followed closely by a pediatric cardiology and heart failure team.

Rheumatic Heart Disease in Children

What Is Rheumatic Heart Disease?

Rheumatic heart disease is long-term damage to the heart valves caused by acute rheumatic fever.

  • Acute rheumatic fever is a delayed complication of strep throat (group A streptococcus infection).
  • The body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the heart, joints, brain, and skin after the infection.

In the United States, acute rheumatic fever is now rare, but it can still occur, especially when strep throat is not treated with antibiotics.

Symptoms of Acute Rheumatic Fever

Symptoms usually appear weeks after a strep throat infection and can include:

  • Fever
  • Joint pain and swelling (often moving from one joint to another)
  • Carditis – inflammation of the heart, which may cause:
    • Chest pain
    • Shortness of breath
    • Fatigue

Treatment for Acute Rheumatic Fever

Children with suspected acute rheumatic fever are usually hospitalized for evaluation and treatment, which may include:

  • Antibiotics (usually penicillin) to clear any remaining strep infection
  • Anti-inflammatory medications to reduce joint and heart inflammation
  • Long-term antibiotics to prevent repeat strep infections and further heart damage

In Grand Rapids, treatment is available through local hospitals and pediatric cardiology services. Prompt treatment of strep throat in primary care or urgent care clinics across West Michigan is a key prevention step.

Rheumatic Heart Disease and Valve Damage

If rheumatic fever damages the heart valves, the child may develop rheumatic heart disease. This can cause:

  • Heart murmurs
  • Heart failure symptoms
  • Increased risk of infective endocarditis (serious infection of the heart lining or valves)

Treatment may include:

  • Ongoing antibiotics to prevent new strep infections
  • Medications to manage heart failure symptoms
  • Surgery to repair or replace damaged heart valves in severe cases

Children with rheumatic heart disease in Grand Rapids are followed by cardiologists and may need care at specialized centers such as Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

Preventing Infective Endocarditis

Children with damaged heart valves or certain heart defects may need antibiotics before some medical or dental procedures, such as:

  • Tooth extractions or major dental work
  • Surgery involving the mouth, nose, intestines, or urinary tract

These procedures can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream and infect abnormal parts of the heart, causing infective endocarditis.

Always ask your child’s cardiologist or dentist in Grand Rapids if antibiotic prophylaxis is needed before procedures.

Immunizations and Medications

  • Children with acquired heart disease should receive their routine vaccines on schedule, after discussion with their doctor.
  • Annual flu shots and other recommended vaccines (such as COVID-19 and rubella) are especially important in Michigan, where respiratory viruses are common in colder months.
  • All medications, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements, should be checked with your:
    • Pediatrician
    • Pharmacist
    • Cardiologist

This is especially important for children taking heart medications or blood thinners.

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, MI

If you are concerned about your child’s heart health, contact:

  • Your child’s pediatrician or family doctor
  • Pediatric cardiology services at:
    • Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health and affiliated clinics

For general health information, vaccines, and community resources:

  • Kent County Health Department
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and local community clinics

In any emergency (severe chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, blue lips/skin, or unresponsiveness), call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

Key Points About Acquired Heart Disorders in Children

  • Acquired heart disorders develop after birth, often following infections or immune reactions.
  • Kawasaki disease can damage coronary arteries; the main symptom is a fever over 101.3°F for 5 days or more, plus rash, red eyes, and changes in the mouth, hands, or feet.
  • Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, usually after a viral infection; it can cause poor circulation, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
  • Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle, often genetic or following infection, and can lead to heart failure or abnormal rhythms.
  • Rheumatic heart disease is caused by acute rheumatic fever after untreated strep throat and can permanently damage heart valves.
  • Early diagnosis and treatment through Grand Rapids pediatric and cardiology services can greatly improve outcomes for children with acquired heart disorders.