Final answer:
Individuals with congenital heart disease and respiratory symptoms should be evaluated for Primary ciliary dyskinesia, which affects the cilia's ability to clear respiratory pathways and can correlate with heart defects. Other respiratory conditions like Respiratory distress syndrome also play a role in similar populations, illustrating the connection between respiratory and cardiovascular health.
Step-by-step explanation:
Individuals with congenital heart disease or laterality defects exhibiting upper or lower airway symptomatology, such as shortness of breath, wheezes or stridor, hoarseness, pain with swallowing, and cough, should be evaluated for Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). This condition is a chronic, hereditary illness associated with abnormal ciliary function leading to respiratory issues, among other symptoms. While Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and allergic rhinitis could exacerbate respiratory symptoms, PCD relates directly to the defects in ciliary action that can present with congenital cardiac anomalies and respiratory distress.
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is another condition that primarily affects premature infants due to insufficient production of pulmonary surfactant, resulting in difficulty with lung inflation and gas exchange. Symptoms often include dyspnea, low levels of oxygen, and high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. These conditions highlight the interconnected nature of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, especially in the context of congenital or developmental disorders.