Congenital Heart Disease is an umbrella term for heart defects present at birth (learn more). These conditions are not caused by lifestyle choices or other illnesses, though managing overall health can mitigate some impacts. Let's break down the basics and move forward together with informed decisions. Around 8 in every 1,000 infants are born with some form of congenital heart anomaly, showcasing its commonality.

Types of CHD
CHD occurs when parts of the heart develop abnormally, affecting natural blood flow patterns. Understanding specific types helps you recognize the processes and pathways that could be impacted:

• Septal Defects: Affecting the heart's septum—the wall that prevents the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. A hole here can mix the blood and cause complications.
• Atrial Septal Defect (ASD): Here, the hole occurs between the heart's upper chambers (atria), affecting how blood flows between these chambers.
• Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD): Similar to ASD, but the defect is in the lower chambers (ventricles), potentially affecting the heart more significantly.
• Valve Disorders: Can include stenosis (narrowing), atresia (absent or closed valve), or regurgitation (backward flow), commonly affecting the pulmonary valve, impacting how blood flows through the heart.

Multiple or Complex Congenital Heart Conditions
Sometimes, babies may experience more than one defect or complex conditions like Tetralogy of Fallot, requiring surgical intervention. Tetralogy of Fallot involves four different heart defects needing open heart surgery usually during infancy. It's crucial for parents to understand that while CHD is unpredictable and not preventable, many conditions are manageable or even self-correcting, requiring little to no intervention at times.

Diagnosis can occur before birth through ultrasound or echocardiography. However, some conditions are only identified after birth, when symptoms become more apparent.

For a thorough dive into causes, diagnostics, treatment options, and living with CHD, please access these resources:

• Congenital Heart Disease: Causes and Symptoms
• Congenital Heart Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment
• Congenital Heart Disease: Fast Facts
• Living with Congenital Heart Disease: Childhood to Young Adulthood