Congenital heart disease occurs while the fetus is developing. It is estimated that 8 in every 1000 babies are born with congenital heart disease. The disease involves either a defect or malformation of the heart structures. In some cases, an ultrasound may reveal congenital heart disease while the fetus is still developing.

The cause of congenital heart disease can be hereditary. A person with down’s syndrome or other chromosomal defects is also more prone to heart disease. Drinking or doing drugs while pregnant can also cause heart defects. A pregnant woman who catches German Measles or Rubella, during the 1st trimester of pregnancy can also lead to congenital heart disease.

Congenital heart disease can be mild, and cause only a few problems, or severe and lead to serious complications or death. One of the most common problems is heart valve defects. The valves become too narrow or completely closed, cutting off blood flow. The valves may also become leaky, and allow blood to leak out where it should not. Another issue that may occur is a defect in the walls of the heart. These allow oxygenated and unoxygenated blood to mix between the right and left sides of the heart. Congenital heart disease can cause abnormalities in the heart muscles, which can lead to heart failure.

A person may not have any symptoms until they reach adulthood. A healthy adult may begin to notice shortness of breath and suddenly not be able to do any kind of strenuous activity. They may exhaust easily while doing normal activities. A bluish tint to the lips and fingernails, which is called cyanosis, may indicate the person is not getting enough oxygen.

If a person has any symptoms a doctor will need to perform a number of tests to diagnose congenital heart disease. Those tests include EKG, echocardiogram, and chest x-rays. The oxygen in the blood will be measured with a pulse oximetry. Cardiac catheterization, is done to get a better idea of what is happening in the heart.

Treatment for congenital heart disease will depend on the symptoms. Some of the mild cases do not require any surgery or mediation, and will just need to be monitored by a cardiologist regularly. Other more serious problems may require surgery to repair heart valves. In extreme situations, a person may need a heart transplant to survive. There is a waiting list and certain qualifications in order to be placed on the transplant list. A doctor will inform you of your options, and the best treatment methods for your situation. Medical technology is constantly improving, and what was once a fatal disease, can now be treated successfully in a lot of cases.

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