Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease is a general term for a range of birth defects that affect the normal way the heart works.

The issue may impact:

  • The heart walls
  • The heart valves
  • The blood vessels

Congenital cardiac abnormalities come in many different varieties. They might range from straightforward illnesses with no symptoms to complicated issues with severe, sometimes fatal symptoms.

Types of Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart defects come in a wide variety of forms, but they can be grouped into three main groups:

The heart’s internal valves that control blood flow may close or leak when there are heart valve abnormalities. The heart’s capacity to properly pump blood is hampered by this.

The natural walls that separate the left and right sides of the heart and the upper and lower chambers of the heart may not form properly in people who have heart wall abnormalities, leading to blood accumulating in the wrong locations or backing up into the heart. High blood pressure may come from the defect’s pressure on the heart to work harder.

The arteries and veins that carry blood to the heart and then return it to the body may not work properly in cases of blood vessel abnormalities. This may hinder or limit blood flow, which may result in a number of health issues.

What Are the Symptoms of Congenital Heart Disease?

When a pregnant woman has an ultrasound, a congenital heart abnormality is frequently found. For instance, your doctor might run additional tests to look into the problem if they detect an irregular heartbeat. These might consist of an MRI scan, a chest X-ray, or an echocardiography. Your doctor will make sure the proper specialists are on hand during delivery if a diagnosis is made.

Sometimes a congenital cardiac problem won’t show any symptoms until just after birth. Heart abnormalities in new-borns can cause:

  • bluish lips, skin, fingers, and toes
  • breathlessness or trouble breathing
  • feeding difficulties
  • low birth weight
  • chest pain
  • delayed growth

In other situations, a congenital cardiac abnormality may not show any symptoms for several years after birth. When symptoms do appear, they may consist of:

  • Abnormal heart rhythms
  • Dizziness
  • Trouble breathing
  • Fainting
  • Swelling
  • Fatigue