When is CHD diagnosed?
A congenital heart defect (CHD) is often diagnosed in infancy, or even before birth. But some defects are harder to detect than others and may not be diagnosed until much later in childhood or even adulthood.
What is the most common form of congenital heart disease?
The most common type of heart defect is a ventricular septal defect (VSD).
Can you have congenital heart disease and not know it?
Symptoms of Congenital Heart Disease Congenital heart defects may be diagnosed before birth, right after birth, during childhood or not until adulthood. It is possible to have a defect and no symptoms at all. In adults, if symptoms of congenital heart disease are present, they may include: shortness of breath.
Can congenital heart failure cured?
False. 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.
What is the typical presenting signs of congenital heart disease include?
General signs of congenital heart disease can include:
- a blue tinge to the skin (cyanosis)
- rapid breathing.
- rapid heartbeat.
- swelling in the legs, tummy and around the eyes.
- shortness of breath in babies during feeding (making it hard for them to gain weight) and in older children and adults during exercise.
What age is congenital heart disease diagnosed?
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.
Can you live a normal life with congenital heart disease?
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 are the two types of congenital heart disease?
Congenital heart disease refers to a range of possible heart defects.
- Aortic valve stenosis. Aortic valve stenosis is a serious type of congenital heart defect.
- Coarctation of the aorta.
- Ebstein’s anomaly.
- Patent ductus arteriosus.
- Pulmonary valve stenosis.
- Septal defects.
- Single ventricle defects.
- Tetralogy of Fallot.
What is the difference between congestive heart failure and congenital heart failure?
Some congenital heart defects send more blood to the lungs, causing pressure to build. This eventually causes your heart muscle to weaken and sometimes to fail. Heart failure. Heart failure (congestive heart failure) means your heart can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs.
What’s the difference between congestive heart failure and congenital heart failure?
How is congenital heart disease diagnosed in adults?
Congenital heart disease in adults. Diagnosis. To determine whether you have a type of congenital heart disease or if the congenital heart defect is causing recent health problems, your doctor will take a medical history and conduct a physical exam, including listening to your heart with a stethoscope.
What happens if you have a congenital heart defect?
A congenital heart defect can allow a blood clot to pass through your heart and travel to your brain. Certain heart arrhythmias also can increase your chance of blood clot formation leading to a stroke. Heart failure. Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, means your heart can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs.
Who is the best doctor for congenital heart defects?
While most heart murmurs in children are normal, some may be due to defects. If the heart problem is significant, your child’s pediatrician or family physician will likely refer your child to a pediatric cardiologist. Pediatric cardiologists are trained to diagnose and treat heart problems in infants, children and young adults.
When to get tested for congestive heart failure?
Congestive heart failure happens when the heart muscles are pumping inefficiently due to fluid buildup around the heart. It’s best to get tested, especially if you are at high risk for the condition or have a family history of it.