What causes congenital heart disease?
Congenital heart disease is caused when something disrupts the normal development of the heart. It’s thought that most cases occur when something affects the heart’s development during the first 6 weeks of pregnancy.
What is congenital heart disease and its treatment?
Many children with congenital heart defects don’t need treatment, but others do. Treatment can include medicines, catheter procedures, surgery, and heart transplants. The treatment depends on the type of the defect, how severe it is, and a child’s age, size, and general health.
How long can you live with congenital heart disease?
About 75% of babies born with a critical CHD are expected to survive to one year of age. About 69% of babies born with critical CHDs are expected to survive to 18 years of age.
Is congenital heart disease lifelong?
The advances in congenital cardiac care have truly made CHD not only a “lifelong” condition but frequently a “long life” condition. However, many patients with CHD are not obtaining the ongoing care they need to live a full life into adulthood.
How serious is congenital heart disease?
Critical congenital heart defects (also called critical CHDs or critical congenital heart disease) are the most serious congenital heart defects. Babies with critical CHDs need surgery or other treatment within the first year of life. Without treatment, critical CHDs can cause serious health problems and death.
How is congenital heart disease prevented?
Avoid drinking alcohol or taking medication. Take 400 micrograms of folic acid supplement a day during the first trimester (first 12 weeks) of your pregnancy – this lowers your risk of giving birth to a child with congenital heart disease, as well as several other types of birth defect.
How is CHD treated?
CHD can be managed effectively with a combination of lifestyle changes, medicine and, in some cases, surgery. With the right treatment, the symptoms of CHD can be reduced and the functioning of the heart improved.
How is CHD diagnosed?
He or she will perform certain tests to diagnose CHD: Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)measures the rhythm, speed, and evenness of your heartbeat. Echocardiogram (ECG)produces an image of your heart using ultrasound. Chest X-rayproduces an image of your heart and chest area using radiation.