Treatment Congenital Heart Disease

A congenital heart disease (or defect) is a problem with the structure of the heart, which is present at birth. Congenital heart defects may occur in the heart valves, walls or blood vessels. Based on which part of the heart it affects, a congenital heart disease may cause inefficient pumping of blood, unwanted mixing of oxygenated & deoxygenated blood. Congenital heart disease can cause serious health complications at infancy, or later ages.

Congenital heart disease is caused due to problems in the heart’s development, which happens in the early stages of pregnancy. These developmental problems can be caused in the child as a result of -

• The Mother’s Diabetes
• Consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs during early pregnancy
• Taking certain prescription drugs during pregnancy
• The Mother having viral infection during early pregnancy

A child is highly likely to develop congenital heart defect if it runs in the parents’ family.

The symptoms of congenital heart defect may not appear until after some time. The signs of these conditions in new-borns may include -

In some cases, the symptoms of a congenital disease appear in late childhood or early adulthood. Some of these late symptoms are--

• Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmia)
• Swelling of body tissues and organs (usually hands, ankles and feet)
• Dizziness
• Fatigue upon little exertion
• Breathing problems
• Inability to exercise or fainting during physical activity

Certain congenital heart diseases may lead to development of life-threatening complications in later years for the child. Their immediate diagnosis and treatment is vital for the child to have a healthy life. Treatment for congenital heart defects may range for medications to surgeries, depending upon the type of defect and its severity. With early diagnosis, appropriate treatment and guidance, any congenital heart disease can be cured permanently, without any consequences.