Medication
There is no cure for Congenital Heart Disease. Although you can have surgery to repair your heart, you will never be cured. It is very common to have surgery to repair your heart, but there may always be long-term effects of heart surgery. This can include abnormal heartbeats.
Procedures
- Monitor your symptoms. Heart failure worsens over time, so you need to be familiar with changes in your body. ...
- Monitor your health. Keep track of blood pressure, weight and other vital signs as your doctor advises. ...
- Try to keep a positive attitude. ...
- Don’t be shy about asking questions. ...
See more
Survival
- Survival of infants with CHDs depends on how severe the defect is, when it is diagnosed, and how it is treated. ...
- About 97% of babies born with a non-critical CHD are expected to survive to one year of age. ...
- About 75% of babies born with a critical CHD are expected to survive to one year of age. ...
Can you be cured of congenital heart disease?
Brain injury is a serious and common complication of critical congenital heart disease (CHD). Impaired autonomic development ... observational MRI study in which pregnant women with a fetal diagnosis of critical CHD, i.e., infants expected to require ...
How do you prevent a congenital heart disease?
How are congenital heart defects (CHD) cured?
What is the prognosis of congenital heart disease?
See more
What can be done about congenital heart disease?
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.
Is congenital heart disease curable?
There is no cure for CHD. Many people have surgeries to repair their heart, however, they are not cured. There may be long-term effects of heart surgery, such as abnormal heartbeats. A cardiologist can often detect problems with your heart before you notice any symptoms.
How long congenital heart disease can live?
Survival. About 97% of babies born with a non-critical CHD are expected to survive to one year of age. About 95% of babies born with a non-critical CHD are expected to survive to 18 years of age. Thus, the population of people with CHDs is growing.
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.
Can you live a long life with CHD?
As medical care and treatment have improved, babies and children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) are living longer and healthier lives. Most are now living into adulthood. Ongoing, appropriate medical care can help children and adults with a CHD live as healthy as possible.
What is the best test for congenital heart disease?
Echocardiogram. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound movie of the inside of the heart. It can detect nearly every congenital heart defect or any problem of the heart muscle function. The test is often performed by a specialized technician called a sonographer, or by a physician.
Does congenital heart disease shorten your life?
Results: Patients with CHD expected to live to age 75 +/- 11 years, only 4 years less than their healthy peers. Over 85% of patients expected to live longer than our estimates of their life expectancy. Poorer health status and higher perceived risk of CHD complications related to shorter perceived life expectancy.
What causes congenital heart disease?
Often, there's no known cause for congenital heart disease. Known causes include: exposure of the fetus to maternal illnesses such as diabetes, German measles (rubella), fever illnesses and a problem metabolising an amino acid during pregnancy (phenylketonuria) smoking, alcohol or recreational drug use during pregnancy.
What are the top 3 congenital heart diseases?
Here are eight of the most common types of congenital heart defects:Ventricular septal defect. ... Treatment. ... [See: Best Children's Hospital National Rankings.]Atrial septal defect. ... Treatment. ... Tetralogy of Fallot. ... Treatment. ... Single ventricle defects.More items...•
How do they test for congenital heart disease?
Congenital heart disease may initially be suspected during a routine ultrasound scan of the baby in the womb. Specialist ultrasound, called foetal echocardiography, will then be carried out at around 18 to 22 weeks of the pregnancy to try to confirm the exact diagnosis.
What is the most common type of congenital heart disease?
The most common congenital heart defect is a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). The aortic valve opens and shuts to allow blood flow from the heart to the aorta. The aorta is the major blood vessel bringing oxygen-rich blood to the body.
Who is at risk for congenital heart defects?
Risk factors for congenital heart defects include:Rubella (German measles). Having rubella during pregnancy can cause problems in a baby's heart development. ... Diabetes. ... Medications. ... Drinking alcohol during pregnancy. ... Smoking. ... Family history and genetics.
What is the American Heart Association's treatment for congenital heart defects?
The American Heart Association explains the Care and Treatment for adults and children with Congenital Heart Defects including Surgical procedures, Cardiac catheterizations, Heart transplants, Preparing children for surgery, Feeding Tips, Children's special needs , Physical activity for those with congenital heart defects and Recommendations for heart health.
What are the special needs of children with CHD?
Special needs for children with CHD. Physical activity for those with congenital heart defects. Heart-health recommendations for those with CHD. If you are a parent caring for a child with a congenital heart defect, the American Heart Association wants to be there for you.
Why is cardiac catheterization needed?
In other cases, surgery or a cardiac catheterization may be needed to reduce the effects of the heart defect, or to repair the defect. Even when a defect is treated in childhood, further conditions may develop later, making additional medical treatment beneficial.
Can a child have congenital heart defects?
Children and adults with congenital heart defects may need medical treatment for a number of common conditions, including: Care and treatment options for congenital heart defects include: If you are a parent caring for a child with a congenital heart defect, the American Heart Association wants to be there for you.
How to repair congenital heart defects?
These treatments allow a repair to be done without open-heart surgery. Instead, the doctor inserts a thin tube (catheter) into a leg vein or artery and guides it to the heart with the help of X-ray images.
What to do when you have a congenital heart appointment?
What you can do. When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet or fast. Make a list of: Your symptoms, if any, including any that may seem unrelated to congenital heart disease, and when they began.
What kind of doctor treats congenital heart defects?
Ideally, a cardiologist trained in treating adults with congenital heart defects will manage your care. Follow-up care may include regular doctor checkups and occasional bloodwork and imaging exams to screen for complications.
What is the test for congenital heart disease?
Tests to diagnose or rule out congenital heart disease include: Electrocardiogram (ECG). This painless test records the electrical signals in your heart. An ECG can diagnose many heart problems, including irregular heartbeats and blocked arteries.
What type of echocardiogram is used to check heart rate?
Transesophageal echocardiogram. If more-detailed images of your heart are needed, your doctor may recommend a transesophageal echocardiogram. In this test, a flexible tube containing the transducer is guided down your throat and into the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach (esophagus). It's done while you are sedated.
What is an implantable heart device?
Implantable heart devices. A device that helps control your heart rate (pacemaker) or that corrects life-threatening irregular heartbeats (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or ICD) may help improve some of the complications associated with congenital heart defects. Catheter-based treatments.
What is the best treatment for a heart defect?
Open-heart surgery. If catheter procedures can't fix your heart defect, your doctor might recommend open-heart surgery.
What is the purpose of open heart surgery?
Open heart surgery to repair the heart or help improve blood flow by widening arteries or closing blood vessels.
What is a catheter in the heart?
In this procedure, a long, thin, flexible tube is threaded through a blood vessel into the heart and gives doctors access to the heart.
What to talk to a child's heart team?
Your child's heart team should talk with you about treatment options and what to expect. Always share any concerns and what matters most to you.
How do doctors treat congenital heart defects?
Depending on the type of heart defect your child has, doctors treat congenital heart defects with: Procedures using catheterization.
How to help a child with congenital heart disease?
Encourage your child to keep his or her doctor informed about the heart defect and the procedures performed to treat the problem. Exercise restrictions. Parents of children with congenital heart defects may worry about the risks of rough play and activity even after treatment.
How can congenital heart defects be corrected?
Many congenital heart defects are corrected using open-heart surgery. In open-heart surgery, the chest has to be opened. In some cases, minimally invasive heart surgery may be an option. This type of surgery involves making small incisions between the ribs and inserting instruments through them to repair the defect.
Why is a catheterization necessary?
Catheterization is sometimes necessary because it may give your child's doctor a much more detailed view of your child's heart defect than an echocardiogram.
Why do some children have congenital heart defects?
Because some children who have congenital heart defects may have had a long recovery time from surgeries or procedures, their development may lag behind that of other children their age. Some children's difficulties may last into their school years, and they may have difficulties learning to read or write, as well.
What test is done to determine if a child has a heart defect?
In addition to a regular physical exam, these could include: Fetal echocardiogram. This test allows your doctor to see if your child has a heart defect before he or she is born, allowing your doctor to better plan treatment. In this test, your doctor performs an ultrasound.
What does it mean when a child's heart murmurs?
A heart murmur is a sound that occurs when blood flows through the heart or blood vessels fast enough to make a sound that a doctor can hear with a stethoscope. Most heart murmurs are innocent, meaning that there is no heart defect and the murmur isn't dangerous to your child's health. Some murmurs, however, may mean blood is flowing ...
What is a congenital heart defect?
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a defect in the heart’s structure that’s present at birth. It can be detected before birth, soon after birth or anytime throughout life. There are many kinds of CHD. Symptoms and treatment depend on the type of defect and its severity. A person with CHD should see a cardiologist regularly throughout life.
How long can a person with congenital heart disease live?
Although serious cases can be life-threatening, many people with CHD live long, relatively normal and fulfilling lives. Decades ago, only 10% of children with CHD survived into adulthood. Advances in diagnosis and treatment now help about 90% survive.
How to detect cyanotic heart disease?
Other heart defects are found soon after a baby is born. For example, cyanotic CHD is often detected by pulse oximetry. The simple, painless test uses sensors on the fingers or toes to find out if oxygen levels are too low. Sometimes, congenital heart disease isn’t diagnosed until later in life.
What are the two main groups of CHD?
There are two main groups of CHD: cyanotic congenital heart disease and acyanotic congenital heart disease.
What is a hole in the heart called?
Depending on the location of the hole, this may be called atrial septal defect, atrioventricular canal, patent ductus arteriosus or ventricular septal defect.
What are some examples of left heart obstructive lesions?
Examples include hypoplastic left heart syndrome (when the heart is too small on the left side) and interrupted aortic arch (aorta is incomplete).
When is CHD diagnosed?
Heart defects may be detected early (before a baby is born or shortly afterward). But sometimes, CHD isn’t diagnosed until childhood, adolescence or adulthood.
Types
Prognosis
Classification
Diagnosis
Specialist to consult
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Prevention
- A congenital heart defect is often detected during a pregnancy ultrasound. If your doctor hears an abnormal heartbeat, for instance, they may further investigate the issue by performing certain tests. These may include an echocardiogram, a chest X-ray, or an MRI scan. If a diagnosis is made, your doctor will make sure the appropriate specialists are available during delivery.
Results
- In some cases, the symptoms of a congenital heart defect may not appear until shortly after birth. Newborns with heart defects may experience: In other cases, the symptoms of a congenital heart defect may not appear until many years after birth. Once symptoms do develop, they may include:
Diagnosis
- Congenital heart disease occurs as a result of an early developmental problem in the hearts structure. The defect typically interferes with the normal flow of blood through the heart, which may affect breathing. Although researchers arent exactly sure why the heart fails to develop correctly, suspected causes include the following:
Treatment
- The treatment for a congenital heart defect depends on the type and severity of the defect. Some babies have mild heart defects that heal on their own with time. Others may have severe defects that require extensive treatment. In these cases, treatment may include the following: There are various medications that can help the heart work more efficiently. Some can also be used to pre…
Clinical Trials
- Some of the complications associated with congenital heart defects can be prevented with the use of certain devices, including pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). A pacemaker can help regulate an abnormal heart rate, and an ICD may correct life-threatening irre…
Coping and Support
- Regardless of your situation, its important to continue seeing your doctor for follow-up care. Treatment may not cure your condition, but it can help you maintain an active, productive life. It will also reduce your risk for serious complications, such as heart infections, heart failure, and stroke.
Preparing For Your Appointment
- To diagnose congenital heart disease, your doctor will do a physical exam and listen to your heart with a stethoscope. You will be asked questions about your symptoms and medical and family history. Tests to diagnose or rule out congenital heart disease include: 1. Electrocardiogram (ECG). This painless test records the electrical signals in your heart. An ECG can diagnose man…
Diagnosis
- Congenital heart disease can often be treated successfully in childhood. However, some heart defects may not be serious enough to repair during childhood, but they can cause problems as you grow older. Treatment of congenital heart disease in adults depends on how severe your heart problem is. You may simply be monitored, or you may need medication...
Treatment
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Clinical Trials
- One important thing to do if you're an adult with congenital heart disease is to become educated about your condition. Topics you should become familiar with include: 1. The name and details of your heart condition and its past treatment 2. How often you should be seen for follow-up care 3. Information about your medications and their side effects 4. How to prevent heart infections (en…
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- If you have a congenital heart defect, make an appointment with your doctor for follow-up care, even if you haven't developed complications. You'll likely be referred to a doctor trained in diagnosing and treating heart conditions (cardiologist). Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
Coping and Support
- After birth, a health care provider may suspect a diagnosis of a congenital heart defect if a child has growth delays or changes in the color of the lips, tongue or fingernails. The care provider may hear a heart sound (murmur) while listening to the child's heart with a stethoscope. Most heart murmurs are innocent, meaning that there is no heart defect and the murmur isn't dangerous to …
Preparing For Your Appointment
- Treatment of congenital heart defects in children depends on the specific type of heart problem and how severe it is. Sometimes, a congenital heart defect may have no long-term effect on a child's health and may safely go untreated. Other congenital heart defects, such as a small hole in the heart, may close as a child ages. Serious congenital hear...