Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital geart disease is the name given to heart disorders that are present when we are born. These conditions can be diagnosed before birth, immediately after birth or during childhood. Sometimes the condition is so minor that the symptoms don't show themselves until adolescence or adulthood.
What causes congenital heart disease?
If your child is born with a congenital heart disorder your first reaction will most probably be to ask, "Why me?", The answer is simply - we don't know. It's not a hereditary disease and there is no evidence to show that it is anything other than a matter of chance.
Classification of congenital defects
Common defects include:
Atrial septal defect (ASD): An opening between the twoatria (the top cardiac chambers) caused by a holle in the atrial septum.
Ventricular septal defect (VSD): An opening between the two ventricles (the lower cardiac chambers) caused by a hole in the ventricular septum.
Pulmonary stenosis (PS): A narrowing of the valve leading to the lungs.
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA): A connection between the aorta and the pulmonary artery, which usually closes at birth, remains open.
Coarctation of the aorta: A narrowing of the aorta - the main blood vessel leading from the heart.
The treatment for congenital heart disorders is usually surgery.
Congenital geart disease is the name given to heart disorders that are present when we are born. These conditions can be diagnosed before birth, immediately after birth or during childhood. Sometimes the condition is so minor that the symptoms don't show themselves until adolescence or adulthood.
What causes congenital heart disease?
If your child is born with a congenital heart disorder your first reaction will most probably be to ask, "Why me?", The answer is simply - we don't know. It's not a hereditary disease and there is no evidence to show that it is anything other than a matter of chance.
Classification of congenital defects
Common defects include:
- Abnormal blood vessels that restrict the flow of blood
- faulty valves that either restrict or block blood flow
- incorrect connections between heart, arteries and veins
- defects inthe partitions between the atria or the ventricles
Atrial septal defect (ASD): An opening between the twoatria (the top cardiac chambers) caused by a holle in the atrial septum.
Ventricular septal defect (VSD): An opening between the two ventricles (the lower cardiac chambers) caused by a hole in the ventricular septum.
Pulmonary stenosis (PS): A narrowing of the valve leading to the lungs.
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA): A connection between the aorta and the pulmonary artery, which usually closes at birth, remains open.
Coarctation of the aorta: A narrowing of the aorta - the main blood vessel leading from the heart.
The treatment for congenital heart disorders is usually surgery.
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