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Congenital heart defects are problems with the heart’s structure that are present at birth. These defects can involve the interior walls of the heart, valves inside the heart, or the arteries and veins that carry blood to the heart and body. There are many different types of congenital heart defects ranging from simple defects with no symptoms to complex defects with severe, life-threatening symptoms.
The diagnosis and treatment of complex heart defects has greatly improved over the past few decades. Today, almost all patients diagnosed with complex defects can live active, productive lifestyles, but will likely need ongoing heart care throughout their lives.
Examples of simple congenital heart defects include:
- Atrial septal defect (ASD) - a hole in the part of the septum that separates the atria – the upper chambers of the heart. This defect allows oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium to flow into the right atrium instead of flowing to the left ventricle.
- Ventricular septal defect (VSD) - a hole in the part of the septum that separates the ventricles – the lower chambers of the heart. The hole allows oxygen rich blood to flow from the left ventricle into the right ventricle instead of flowing into the aorta and out to the body.
- Valvular defects - include stenosis, atresia or regurgitation.
Symptoms
Many congenital heart defects have few or no symptoms. Severe defects can cause symptoms, usually in newborn babies, and may include:
- Rapid breathing
- Cyanosis (a bluish tint to the skin, lips, and fingernails)
- Fatigue
- Poor blood circulation
- Heart murmur
Congenital heart defects don’t cause chest pain or other painful symptoms.
Diagnosis
To diagnose congenital heart defects, your physician will conduct a physical exam, ask about your symptoms, and solicit information about your risk factors such as family history of heart disease. Your physician may order or perform one or more of the following assessments:
Treatment
Many people with congenital heart defects do not require treatment. When medical attention is required, treatments may include catheter-based procedures or open-heart surgery to repair the defect.
The Heart and Vascular Center at Providence offers a variety of resources to diagnose and treat patients with congenital heart defects:
Physicians
Need current list of relevant physicians.
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