What is Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)?

Congenital heart disease (CHD) means a person is born with a heart problem. The heart or blood vessels did not form as they should before birth, so blood may not flow normally through the heart and body.

Congenital heart defects can include:

• A hole in the heart wall
• Narrowed or blocked blood vessels
• Blood flowing in the wrong direction
• Heart valve problems, where valves do not open or close properly

Some heart defects are mild and may not cause any symptoms. Others are more serious and need treatment soon after birth. Many cases are found before or just after birth, but some people are diagnosed later in childhood or even as adults.

Types of Congenital Heart Disease

There are two main types of congenital heart disease:

1. Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease

In this type, the blood does not carry enough oxygen to the body. Babies may appear bluish in color due to low oxygen levels and often need surgery early in life.

Examples include:

• Left-sided obstructive defects: Reduced blood flow from the heart to the body (e.g., hypoplastic left heart syndrome, interrupted aortic arch)
• Right-sided obstructive defects: Reduced blood flow from the heart to the lungs (e.g., tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia, tricuspid atresia, Ebstein’s anomaly)
• Mixing defects: Oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood mix together (e.g., transposition of the great arteries, truncus arteriosus)

2. Acyanotic Congenital Heart Disease

In this type, oxygen levels are usually normal, but blood flow through the heart is abnormal.

Examples include:

• Holes in the heart: Such as atrial septal defect (ASD), ventricular septal defect (VSD), atrioventricular canal defect, or patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
• Aorta problems: Narrowing of the aorta (coarctation of the aorta) or abnormal aortic valve (bicuspid aortic valve)
• Pulmonary artery narrowing: Called pulmonary artery stenosis

Symptoms of Congenital Heart Disease

Symptoms depend on the type and severity of the heart defect and the person’s age. Common symptoms are:

• Bluish color of lips, skin, or nails (cyanosis)
• Fast or difficult breathing
• Extreme tiredness
• Poor feeding in babies
• Getting tired or breathless easily during activity
• Heart murmur (abnormal heart sound)
• Weak or irregular pulse
• Poor blood circulation

Some people may have no symptoms for many years.

What causes Congenital Heart Disease?

CHD happens when a baby’s heart does not develop properly during pregnancy. The exact cause is often not known, but possible risk factors include:

• Genetic or chromosome problems
• Alcohol or smoking during pregnancy
• Certain medicines taken during pregnancy
• Maternal illnesses like diabetes or viral infections (e.g., rubella)
• Exposure to harmful substances during pregnancy

What are the possible complications of Congenital Heart Disease

People with CHD may be at higher risk of:

• Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)
• Heart failure
• Blood clots
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Kidney or liver problems
• Infections of the heart (endocarditis)
• Developmental or learning difficulties in some children

How is Congenital Heart Disease diagnosed?

CHD can be diagnosed:

• Before birth using fetal ultrasound or fetal echocardiography
• After birth using oxygen level testing (pulse oximetry)
• Later in life if symptoms appear

Tests used to diagnose CHD include:

• Physical examination and heart sound check
• Chest X-ray
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
• Cardiac catheterization
• Cardiac MRI

How is Congenital Heart Disease treated?

Treatment depends on the type and severity of the heart defect. It may include:

• Medicines to help the heart work better
• Catheter-based procedures to close holes or open narrow vessels
• Oxygen therapy
• Special medicines to maintain blood flow in newborns
• Heart surgery to repair or reroute blood flow
• Heart transplant in very severe cases

Some mild defects may not need treatment, but regular check-ups are still important.

What is the duration of Recovery after treatment?

Recovery time depends on the treatment. It can be a few days or several months. Your doctor will guide you through recovery and follow-up care.

What is the outlook for people with CHD?

With modern medical care, most people with congenital heart disease can live long, active, and fulfilling lives. Today, about 90% of children with CHD survive into adulthood, compared to much lower survival rates in the past.

Even after treatment, it is important to have regular medical check-ups for life.

Can Congenital Heart Disease be prevented?

There is no guaranteed way to prevent CHD. However, you can lower the risk during pregnancy by:

• Avoiding alcohol, smoking, and drugs
• Managing medical conditions like diabetes
• Taking medicines only as advised by a doctor
• Attending all prenatal check-ups

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When should you see a doctor?

It is important to see a cardiologist regularly. Get emergency care right away if you have:

• Chest pain
• Severe breathlessness
• Dizziness or fainting

Why choose Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Congenital Heart Disease treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital offers advanced Congenital Heart Disease treatment in Lucknow, India, at an affordable cost. We have a team of experienced pediatric cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and critical care specialists, known as some of the best doctors for treating heart conditions in children. We provide accurate diagnosis with advanced echocardiography and cardiac imaging, personalized medical and surgical treatment, and comprehensive pre- and post-procedure care. Our team has decades of experience in successfully managing Congenital Heart Disease cases in Lucknow, India.

To seek an Expert Consultation for Congenital Heart Disease treatment in Lucknow, India:

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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