Congenital heart disease
Symptoms
Congenital heart disease can have a range of symptoms, because the conditionrefers to several different types of heart defect. Generalsigns of congenital heart disease can include: excessive sweating extreme tiredness and fatigue poor feeding rapid heartbeat rapid breathing Shortness of breath chest pain a blue tinge to the skin (cyanosis) clubbed fingernails In more severe cases, these problems may develop shortly after birth. However, symptoms sometimes don'tdevelop until the teenage years or early adulthood. . Complications Children and adults with congenital heart disease can also develop a range of further problems, such as: problems with growth and development repeated respiratory tract infections (RTIs) infections of the sinuses, throat, airways or lungs heart infection ( endocarditis ) pulmonary hypertension raised blood pressure within the blood vessels that supply the lungs (pulmonary arteries) heart failure where the heart is unable to efficiently pump enough blood around the body .
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Introduction
Congenital heart disease is a general term for a range of birth defects that affect the normal workings of the heart. The term "congenital" means the condition is present at birth.
Types
Congenital heart disease refers to a range of possible heart defects.
Symptoms
Congenital heart disease can have a range of symptoms, because the condition refers to several different types of heart defect.
Causes
Congenital heart disease is caused when something disrupts the normal development of the heart. It's thought that most cases occur when something affects the heart's development during about week five of pregnancy.
Diagnosis
In many cases, congenital heart disease is diagnosed during pregnancy. However, a diagnosis may sometimes only be confirmed after the birth.
Treatment
Treatment for congenital heart disease depends on the specific defect you or your child has.
Complications
Children and adults with congenital heart disease are at an increased risk of developing further problems. Many children with congenital heart disease experience delays in their development.
Prevention
As so little is known about the causes of congenital heart disease, there's no guaranteed way of avoiding having a baby with the condition.
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