Do heart abnormalities affect children differently than adults?

Other than congenital heart defects, which are present at birth, adults develop most heart abnormalities. Coronary artery disease, for example, along with its complications (heart failure, heart attack, arrhythmias) develops over many years. Congenital heart defects, such as a hole in the heart or a heart valve disorder, are often found and treated at birth, but your child will have to monitor and perhaps treat the condition for their entire life.