Congenital heart disease

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What Is Congenital Heart Disease? Congenital heart disease, or a congenital heart defect, is a heart abnormality present at birth. The problem can affect: • the heart walls • the heart valves • the blood vessels There are numerous types of congenital heart defects. They can range from simple conditions that don’t cause symptoms to complex problems that cause severe, life-threatening symptoms. According to the Though there are many different types of congenital heart defects, they can be divided into three main categories: • In heart valve defects, the valves inside the heart that direct blood flow may close up or leak. This interferes with the heart’s ability to pump blood correctly. • In heart wall defects, the natural walls that exist between the left and right sides and the upper and lower chambers of the heart may not develop correctly, causing blood to back up into the heart or to build up in places where it doesn’t belong. The defect puts pressure on the heart to work harder, which may result in high blood pressure. • In blood vessel defects , the arteries and veins that carry blood to the heart and back out to the body may not function correctly. This can reduce or block blood flow, leading to various health complications. Cyanotic and Acyanotic Congenital Heart Disease Many doctors classify congenital heart disease as either cyanotic congenital heart disease or acyanotic congenital heart disease. In both types, the heart isn’t pumping blood as efficiently as it sho...

Overview What is cyanotic heart disease? In congenital heart disease, one or more abnormal heart structures (defects) are present at birth. There are two types: • Cyanotic congenital heart disease: Cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) involves heart defects that reduce the amount of oxygen delivered to the rest of your body. It’s sometimes called critical congenital heart disease. When a baby is born with CCHD, their skin has a bluish tint, called cyanosis. • Acyanotic congenital heart disease: Acyanotic congenital heart disease involves defects that don’t interfere with the amount of oxygen delivered to the rest of your body. How does cyanotic heart disease affect my body? Your body must have a steady supply of oxygen to function properly. Cyanotic heart disease prevents your body from getting the oxygen it needs. Structural abnormalities in your heart can cause severe complications and even death. How common is cyanotic heart disease? What kinds of defects can happen with CCHD? There are three different types of cyanotic heart disease: Left heart obstructive lesions These congenital heart defects reduce blood flow between your heart and the rest of your body (systemic blood flow). Specific conditions include: • Hypoplastic left heart syndrome: • Interrupted aortic arch: In Right heart obstructive lesions These congenital heart defects reduce blood flow between your heart and lungs (pulmonary flow). Specific conditions include: • Pulmonary atresia: The pulmonary valve...

If you are an adult with congenital heart disease—a problem with the heart’s structure or function that is present at birth—your chances for an active, healthy life are better than ever. Much of the credit goes to dramatic improvements in the care of childhood congenital heart disease that has helped people live well into adulthood. But while childhood surgeries and other treatments are making a significant difference, they don’t cure adult congenital heart disease. Even when adult survivors have been treated and feel healthy, new issues can surface, so it’s important to continue care throughout life. “Adult congenital care is certainly a growing part of the cardiology landscape today,” says “When we are monitoring a patient regularly and are aware of symptoms as early as possible, we often can address problems before they even start or at least limit complications,” Dr. Elder says. A heart defect may be simple, such as a valve that is malformed. But it may also be complex, as in a heart that is unbalanced (with one side larger than the other) or has a hole in it, allowing the mixing of blood. People can have a minor defect that never causes a symptom, or one that is life-threatening and requires major surgical intervention. Around 25 percent of all individuals born with congenital heart defects will require surgery in the first year of life. A few decades ago, the prognosis for children with complex congenital heart disease was not good. The increased prevalence of adult ...

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Key facts • An estimated 240 000 newborns die worldwide within 28 days of birth every year due to congenital disorders. Congenital disorders cause a further 170 000 deaths of children between the ages of 1 month and 5 years. • Congenital disorders can contribute to long-term disability, which takes a significant toll on individuals, families, health care systems and societies. • Nine of ten children born with a serious congenital disorder are in low- and middle-income countries. • As neonatal and under-5 mortality rates decline, congenital disorders become a larger proportion of the cause of neonatal and under-5 deaths. • The most common severe congenital disorders are heart defects, neural tube defects and Down syndrome. • Although congenital disorders may be the result of one or more genetic, infectious, nutritional or environmental factors, it is often difficult to identify the exact causes. • Some congenital disorders can be prevented. Vaccination, adequate intake of folic acid or iodine through fortification of staple foods or supplementation, and adequate care before and during a pregnancy are examples of prevention methods. Overview Congenital disorders are also known as congenital abnormalities, congenital malformations or birth defects. They can be defined as structural or functional anomalies (for example, metabolic disorders) that occur during intrauterine life and can be identified prenatally, at birth, or sometimes may only be detected later in infancy, such a...

If you are an adult with congenital heart disease—a problem with the heart’s structure or function that is present at birth—your chances for an active, healthy life are better than ever. Much of the credit goes to dramatic improvements in the care of childhood congenital heart disease that has helped people live well into adulthood. But while childhood surgeries and other treatments are making a significant difference, they don’t cure adult congenital heart disease. Even when adult survivors have been treated and feel healthy, new issues can surface, so it’s important to continue care throughout life. “Adult congenital care is certainly a growing part of the cardiology landscape today,” says “When we are monitoring a patient regularly and are aware of symptoms as early as possible, we often can address problems before they even start or at least limit complications,” Dr. Elder says. A heart defect may be simple, such as a valve that is malformed. But it may also be complex, as in a heart that is unbalanced (with one side larger than the other) or has a hole in it, allowing the mixing of blood. People can have a minor defect that never causes a symptom, or one that is life-threatening and requires major surgical intervention. Around 25 percent of all individuals born with congenital heart defects will require surgery in the first year of life. A few decades ago, the prognosis for children with complex congenital heart disease was not good. The increased prevalence of adult ...

Key facts • An estimated 240 000 newborns die worldwide within 28 days of birth every year due to congenital disorders. Congenital disorders cause a further 170 000 deaths of children between the ages of 1 month and 5 years. • Congenital disorders can contribute to long-term disability, which takes a significant toll on individuals, families, health care systems and societies. • Nine of ten children born with a serious congenital disorder are in low- and middle-income countries. • As neonatal and under-5 mortality rates decline, congenital disorders become a larger proportion of the cause of neonatal and under-5 deaths. • The most common severe congenital disorders are heart defects, neural tube defects and Down syndrome. • Although congenital disorders may be the result of one or more genetic, infectious, nutritional or environmental factors, it is often difficult to identify the exact causes. • Some congenital disorders can be prevented. Vaccination, adequate intake of folic acid or iodine through fortification of staple foods or supplementation, and adequate care before and during a pregnancy are examples of prevention methods. Overview Congenital disorders are also known as congenital abnormalities, congenital malformations or birth defects. They can be defined as structural or functional anomalies (for example, metabolic disorders) that occur during intrauterine life and can be identified prenatally, at birth, or sometimes may only be detected later in infancy, such a...

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Overview What is cyanotic heart disease? In congenital heart disease, one or more abnormal heart structures (defects) are present at birth. There are two types: • Cyanotic congenital heart disease: Cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) involves heart defects that reduce the amount of oxygen delivered to the rest of your body. It’s sometimes called critical congenital heart disease. When a baby is born with CCHD, their skin has a bluish tint, called cyanosis. • Acyanotic congenital heart disease: Acyanotic congenital heart disease involves defects that don’t interfere with the amount of oxygen delivered to the rest of your body. How does cyanotic heart disease affect my body? Your body must have a steady supply of oxygen to function properly. Cyanotic heart disease prevents your body from getting the oxygen it needs. Structural abnormalities in your heart can cause severe complications and even death. How common is cyanotic heart disease? What kinds of defects can happen with CCHD? There are three different types of cyanotic heart disease: Left heart obstructive lesions These congenital heart defects reduce blood flow between your heart and the rest of your body (systemic blood flow). Specific conditions include: • Hypoplastic left heart syndrome: • Interrupted aortic arch: In Right heart obstructive lesions These congenital heart defects reduce blood flow between your heart and lungs (pulmonary flow). Specific conditions include: • Pulmonary atresia: The pulmonary valve...