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What is a congenital heart defect?

Congenital heart disease, or a congenital heart defect, refers to an abnormality that is present in an individual at birth. It can affect the heart’s walls, valves, and blood vessels. There are different types of congenital heart defects, ranging from simple conditions that don’t cause symptoms to complex ones that cause severe, life ...

Why Maine Medical Partners-congenital heart?

Page 1 of 2 | Congenital Heart Conditions: Internet Resources Heart Institute | Box 356171 1959 N.E. Pacific St., Seattle, WA 98195 | 206.598.4300 . International Society. Internet Resources For congenital heart patients | | | | This section of the Congenital Heart Conditions notebook offers online resources that you may find helpful.

What are the symptoms of congenital heart disease?

Congenital Heart Defect. A congenital heart defect (CHD) is a structural problem of the heart or blood vessels that is present at birth. These structural defects occur when the heart or blood vessels don’t form properly during fetal development. CHDs are the most common type of birth defect, affecting nearly 1 out of every 100 children born.

Can congenital heart disease affect breathing?

Contact Us. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Our fax number is 207-883-5552. New patients require a doctor's referral. 207-883-5532.

Does congenital heart defect qualify for disability?

If your child has a congenital heart defect, he or she may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers monthly financial aid for people of all ages who have serious conditions or illnesses.Aug 5, 2018

What is the life expectancy of someone with a congenital heart defect?

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.

What is the most severe congenital heart defect?

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.

Are heart patients immunocompromised?

Technically speaking, someone with a diagnosed heart problem is not immunocompromised; however, there are other conditions and immunosuppressing medications that can in fact make a patient immunocompromised. For example, a heart patient may have rheumatoid arthritis and is taking a steroid.

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.Oct 3, 2016

What are the top 3 congenital heart diseases?

Here are eight of the most common types of congenital heart defects:Ventricular septal defect. ... Atrial septal defect. ... Tetralogy of Fallot. ... Single ventricle defects.Jun 26, 2018

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.

Do congenital heart defects run in families?

Family history and genetics. Congenital heart defects sometimes run in families (are inherited) and may be associated with a genetic syndrome. Many children with an extra 21st chromosome (Down syndrome) have heart defects.Jan 14, 2022

What are the two types of congenital heart disease?

Types of congenital heart defects include: aortic stenosis. atrial septal defect (ASD) atrioventricular canal defect.

Can a heart patient survive Corona?

No - the infection can be caught by anyone. However, we now know from several studies that people with underlying heart conditions are more likely to show symptoms of the infection or to have a more severe infection than others, including a higher risk of dying from COVID-19.Nov 29, 2021

Can heart patients survive COVID-19?

"They have no effect on COVID-19 disease severity in those with mild to moderate COVID-19, and a handful of studies suggest they might even be protective," Parikh said. People having heart, stroke or other symptoms that might require emergency care shouldn't hesitate to get help, she said.Feb 11, 2021

Is having a heart condition considered as high risk for COVID-19?

Having heart conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, and possibly high blood pressure (hypertension) can make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.

What does a congenital heart disease mean?

Congenital heart disease, also known as a congenital heart defect, is an abnormality within the heart’s structure and a person is usually born with...

Is there a cure for CHD?

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) has no cure. Patients have had surgeries to repair their hearts, but they are not completely cured. There may be lon...

Is congenital heart disease genetic?

The defect can be genetic. When the heart, or blood vessels near the heart, do not develop fully before birth that’s when the heart defect takes pl...

Can you prevent congenital heart disease?

The prevention measures should be taken before birth. So, during pregnancy, the mother should avoid drinking alcohol or taking any medication witho...

What foods to avoid if you have congenital heart disease?

Here are some of the major adjustments you can make to your daily diet if you have congenital heart disease:Eat loads of fruits and vegetables, als...

What are the early signs of congestive heart failure?

Here are the early signs of congestive heart failure-Shortness of breath when you lie down or exert yourselfWeakness and lethargySwollen ankles, le...

When should you suspect that your child could have heart disease?

When the child displays rapid and distressed breathing, blue discoloration of the nails, lips or tongue, feeding difficulty including not sucking w...

What is the health impact of congenital heart defects?

CHDs are the most common cause of death among infants with birth defects. Approximately 25% of children born with a CHD will need heart surgery or...

As an adult having a congenital heart defect, do I need to do regular follow-ups with my doctor?

Adults who have had heart surgery as a child must visit a doctor regularly for life. If you experience your heart racing, extra heartbeats, trouble...

Congenital Heart Defect Causes and Risk Factors

Most congenital heart defects do not have a known cause. However, researchers have identified some potential risk factors. These risk factors include:

Congenital Heart Defect Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the type of congenital heart defect. Some mild CHDs have no symptoms. Others may cause symptoms such as:

Congenital Heart Defect Types

There are several types of CHDs where some defects are so severe that they require surgery within the first 30 days of life.

Congenital Heart Defect Diagnosis

A doctor may diagnose your child with a CHD before or after birth. Some children don’t find out about mild CHDs until later in childhood or adulthood. Doctors often diagnose a CCHD during pregnancy or infancy.

Congenital Heart Defect Treatment

Treatment for congenital heart defects varies depending on the type and severity of the defect. Mild defects may not need treatment. Treatment options include:

Why is cardiac catheterization important?

Cardiac catheterization has long been an important tool for diagnosing congenital heart disease and helping to create a plan of care. Today, we can help treat many types of congenital heart disease using cardiac catheterization.

What is cardiac MRI?

Cardiac MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is quickly becoming an essential non-invasive imaging test to determine cardiac function and vascular structure. This test helps the doctor to see two-dimensional slices of the heart from any angle.

What is the mainstay of diagnostic imaging in structural heart disease?

Echocardiography has long been the mainstay of diagnostic imaging in structural heart disease. This test makes it possible for to see a beating heart in 3-dimensions, helping the doctor to make the best plan of care. Our echocardiography services include:

What is the number for Mindy Beyer?

Coronary artery anomalies and Kawasaki’s disease. Pulmonary hypertension. For more information, call 207-303-1830. Mindy Beyer, who has adult congenital heart disease, says, “I am beyond grateful.”. Advances in diagnosis and treatment have allowed babies with congenital heart disease to survive well into adulthood.

What is a treadmill test?

Exercise Stress Testing/Ultrasound Stress Testing. A stress test, sometimes called a treadmill test or exercise test, helps a doctor find out how well the heart handles work. These tests screen for muscle dysfunction, arrhythmias and causes of syncope.

Does MRI show radiation?

There is no radiation produced during acquisition of images by MRI. Because MRI allows us to non-invasively see inside the heart and blood vessels from any angle and with great clarity, it has replaced more invasive and time-consuming diagnostic modalities for many types of cardiac problems.

Can a pulmonary valve be opened with a stent?

Obstructed valves and blood vessels, such as pulmonary valve stenosis, or coarctation of the aorta, can be completely opened with current stent technology. More recent procedures, such as transcatheter valve placement, are now performed regularly, further extending the treatment capabilities of cardiac catheterization.

What are the most common birth defects?

Congenital heart defects change the normal flow of blood through the heart. There are many types of congenital heart defects. They range from simple defects with no symptoms to complex defects with severe, life-threatening symptoms. Congenital heart defect s are the most common type of birth defect.

What is congenital heart defect?

Congenital (kon-JEN-i-tal) heart defects are problems with the heart's structure that are present at birth. These defects can involve: Congenital heart defects change the normal flow of blood through the heart. There are many types of congenital heart defects.

How many babies are born with heart defects?

Each year, more than 35,000 babies in the United States are born with congenital heart defects. Many of these defects are simple conditions that are easily fixed or need no treatment. A small number of babies are born with complex congenital heart defects that require special medical care soon after birth.

Why does my baby tire so quickly?

Some babies and children who have congenital heart defects don't grow and develop as fast as other children. If your child's heart has to pump harder than normal because of a heart defect, he or she may tire quickly when feeding or eating and not be able to eat enough.

How many chambers does the heart have?

Heart Chambers. The heart has four chambers or "rooms.". The atria (AY-tree-uh) are the two upper chambers that collect blood as it comes into the heart. The ventricles (VEN-trih-kuls) are the two lower chambers that pump blood out of the heart to the lungs or other parts of the body.

How does a child's heart work?

Your child's heart is a muscle about the size of his or her fist. It works like a pump and beats 100,000 times a day. The heart has two sides, separated by an inner wall called the septum.

What is the cross section of a healthy heart?

A Healthy Heart Cross-Section. The illustration shows a cross-section of a healthy heart and its inside structures. The blue arrow shows the direction in which oxygen-poor blood flows from the body to the lungs. The red arrow shows the direction in which oxygen-rich blood flows from the lungs to the rest of the body.

Can you serve in the military with heart disease?

Because of the intense training and physical stress placed upon new recruits, people with any degree of heart disease may not serve in the military.

Can a CHD be cured?

As you have probably been told, even with the repair of a CHD, many people are not cured. Or sometimes, the repairs can put stress on other organs over time that needs to be monitored. As a person with a heart defect grows and gets older, further heart problems or problems with other organs such as the liver or lungs may occur.

Is marijuana a CHD?

Very little is known about marijuana and CHD, mostly because the study of what has historically been an illegal drug is not usually fundable research. What we do know is that marijuana use is associated with a faster heart rate and blood pressure fluctuations, two things implicated in heart attack and stroke.

Can a piercing cause CHD?

While very popular, tattoos and piercings can cause complications in healthy humans and even more in persons with CHD. Some of the most concerning complications for someone with CHD are infections, and in particular, endocarditis.

What is a cardiac catheter?

Cardiac catheterization is a common procedure that is sometimes used to repair simple heart defects, such as atrial septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus, if they do not repair themselves. It may also be used to open up valves or blood vessels that are narrowed or have stenosis.

What are the different types of congenital heart defects?

Simple defects, such as atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defects, may have no symptoms and may not require surgery. Complex or critical defects such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome may have severe, life-threatening symptoms. Babies born with a critical congenital heart defect typically have low levels of oxygen soon after birth and need surgery within the first year of life.

How do you treat congenital heart defects?

Treatments for congenital heart defects include medicines, surgery, and cardiac catheterization procedures. Many congenital heart defects do not require treatment at all. However, children with critical congenital heart defects will need surgery in the first year of life. Some people with congenital heart defects may need treatment, including repeated surgery, throughout their lives . All people with congenital heart defects should be followed by a cardiologist, a doctor who specializes in the heart, throughout their whole life.

What is the most common type of birth defect?

Congenital heart defects, or diseases, are problems with the heart’s structure that are present at birth. They may change the normal flow of blood through the heart. Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect.

When are heart defects diagnosed?

Some congenital heart defects are diagnosed during pregnancy or soon after birth. Others may not be diagnosed until adulthood. Your or your child’s doctor will perform a physical exam and order diagnostic tests and procedures based on what he or she finds in the physical exam.

Can a child have congenital heart disease?

The outlook for children who have congenital heart defects is much better today than it was in the past. Advances in diagnosis and treatment allow most of these children to survive to adulthood, which means that more and more adults are living with congenital heart disease. Even if your congenital heart defect was repaired in childhood, you need regular medical follow-up to maintain good health.

Can congenital heart defects cause complications?

Some congenital heart defects cause few or no signs and symptoms. Since more children with congenital heart defects are living longer, we now know that complications can develop later in life. Signs, symptoms, and complications will vary based on the type of congenital heart defect that you or your child have.

CHD and the Future

How will CHD affect you in the future? Keeping tabs on your health... Does. Not. Stop.

How Can We Help You Today?

Need help? We will be delighted to assist you today, so please call us at 404-778-7777. We look forward to hearing from you.