Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) are birth defects in the structure of the heart or major vessels. They are also referred to as congenital heart anomalies, congenital cardiovascular malformations, and congenital heart illness. Cardiovascular disease is the classification given to congenital heart defects.

There are two main groups of Congenital Heart Defects:

•  Cyanotic.
• Non-cyanotic.

SYMPTOMS

In some people, the symptoms or signs of CHD are not noticed until adulthood. There are some common symptoms:

• Breathe shortness.
• Getting tired very quickly.
• Cyanosis (getting blue fingernails, lips, or skin).
• Arrhythmias (having an irregular heart rhythm).
• Organ and body tissue are swelling.

CAUSES

CHD causes are mainly unknown, but there are some known causes, which include:

• Infection: Infection during pregnancy (rubella).
• Medications: Use of certain medications.
• Drugs: Use of drugs like alcohol or tobacco.
• Poor nutritional status.
• Family history: (Genetic inheritance).
• Genetic conditions: Down syndrome, Turner syndrome.

RISK FACTORS

•  Diabetes.
•  Medication.
•  Smoking.
•  Alcohol.
• German measles.
•  Genetics.

COMPLICATIONS

• Heart failure.
• Heart stroke.
• High blood pressure in lung arteries.
• Endocarditis (heart infection).
• Arrhythmias (an irregular heartbeat).

TREATMENT

• Congenital heart defects can be cured by surgery or catheter intervention; in this process, a hollow tube is inserted into the heart via an artery. But not all patients require surgery, some of them may only need to be scrutinized and visited by a cardiologist.

SUCCESS RATE

The success rate of congenital heart defect surgery is more than 97%, which is very high.