Congenital heart disease, or congenital heart defect (CHD) refers to structural problems of the heart or nearby blood vessels that are present from birth. The defect may affect the heart’s chambers, walls, valves or major blood vessels. It can also impact the normal flow of blood through the heart and lungs.
Some defects are mild and may cause no evident symptoms. But some defects can affect the oxygen levels, growth, breathing or heart function and may need treatment soon after birth. Some congenital heart conditions are also diagnosed for the first time during childhood or adulthood.
Congenital heart defects are broadly grouped into two categories:
Acyanotic defects
Cyanotic defects
In many cases, the exact cause of a CHD is not detected. It could be genetic, environmental, or a combination of the two. Here are some factors known to raise the risk:
If you have been told you have a risk factor, try not to assume the worst. The right medical team can guide you through the steps and precautions that may help protect your baby’s heart.
Symptoms depend on the type and severity of the defect. Some babies show signs soon after birth; others may have few symptoms for years.
Signs to watch for in babies and children:
In older children and adults, symptoms may look like breathlessness, constant fatigue, palpitations, dizziness, fainting, chest discomfort, or swelling in the legs or abdomen.
Some defects cause no clear symptoms and are only found by chance, during a routine checkup. In fact, some milder congenital heart defects go undetected until adulthood, sometimes decades after birth, and are only discovered when the heart is put under more strain, during pregnancy, intense exercise, or simply with age.
Diagnosis starts with a medical history and physical examination. Based on what’s suspected, your cardiologist may recommend:
You may not need every test listed here. Your cardiologist will recommend the ones based on your specific situation.
How CHD is treated depends on its type, severity, and effect on the heart and circulation.
Monitoring helps the cardiologist track changes and decide if treatment becomes necessary.
Your cardiologist recommends certain medicines that may be used to manage complications such as fluid buildup, heart failure, high blood pressure or abnormal heart rhythms.
During cardiac catheterisation, a thin, flexible tube is guided to the heart through a blood vessel. Depending on the heart defect, a device may be used to close a hole, a balloon may be used to widen a narrowed valve or blood vessel, or a stent may be placed to help keep a narrowed blood vessel open.
Some congenital heart defects need surgery when they cannot be managed with monitoring, medicines or catheter-based procedures. Surgery may involve closing a hole, repairing a valve, widening a narrowed blood vessel or reconstructing part of the heart. Depending on the defect, minimally invasive surgery or open heart surgery, including robotic-assisted techniques, may be considered. Some critical conditions require surgery soon after birth, whereas others can be treated later in childhood.
Recovery depends on the procedure and how complex the defect was. Afterward, follow-up care usually includes physical examinations, echocardiograms, ECGs, and other tests to keep an eye on how the heart is working.
Even once a defect has been repaired, that does not always mean the follow-up ends. Many people need ongoing cardiac care throughout their life, and adults who were born with moderate or complex congenital heart disease often need specialist care well into adulthood.
A congenital heart disease may require different forms of care at different stages, from diagnosis and monitoring to intervention, surgery and long-term followup. The CK Birla Hospital brings together cardiac specialists and surgical services to plan treatment according to the patient’s condition.
We offer:
If you or your child has been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, book a consultation with the Cardiology team at the CK Birla Hospital to understand the diagnosis and discuss appropriate treatment options.
Bluish lips or skin, difficulty breathing, poor feeding, unusual sleepiness or trouble gaining weight should be evaluated promptly by a doctor. Some serious heart defects can become apparent soon after birth and may require urgent treatment.
Some critical defects require treatment in the newborn period, whereas less severe conditions may be monitored for months or years. The timing depends on the defect, symptoms, oxygen levels, heart function and effect on blood flow.
Follow-up may continue even after successful surgery. Depending on the condition, patients may need regular cardiac examinations and imaging. Physical activity, medicines, nutrition and other lifestyle recommendations should be personalised to the individual’s heart condition.
