Congenital Heart Defects

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are problems with the heart’s structure that happen before birth. Heart defects can affect how blood flows through the heart and to the rest of the body. They can range from simple issues to more serious problems.

Learn more about CHDs and how Banner Health can help you every step of the way.

What are congenital heart defects?

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are problems with how your heart forms before birth. These issues can involve the heart’s walls, valves, arteries and veins. A heart defect can change how blood flows through the heart. This affects how well the heart pumps blood to the rest of the body. 

A CHD is also called congenital heart disease or congenital heart anomaly. It is one of the most common birth defects, affecting nearly 1 in 100 babies in the U.S.

Some heart defects need treatment right after birth, while others can be treated later. Early diagnosis and care are important for the best outcomes and quality of life. Thanks to advancements in medical care and treatment, many people born with a CHD lead active, healthy lives.

Common types of congenital heart defects

There are many types of CHDs. The most common ones include:

• Atrial septal defect (ASD): A hole in the wall (septum) that separates the upper chambers (atria) of the heart. This can lead to extra blood flowing into the lungs.
• Ventricular septal defect (VSD): A hole in the wall (septum) that separates the lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart. It causes oxygen-rich blood to mix with oxygen-poor blood.
• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA): A condition where a blood vessel that should close after birth stays open. This can cause extra blood to flow into the lungs, making the heart work harder. 
• Tetralogy of Fallot: A combination of four heart defects that happen at the same time. It includes a large VSD, pulmonary stenosis (narrowing of the pulmonary valve and artery), an overriding aorta (aorta is shifted over the VSD) and right ventricular hypertrophy (thickening of the right ventricle’s muscle). This condition can cause oxygen-poor blood to be pumped into the body.

Less common types are transposition of the great arteries, hypoplastic left heart syndrome and coarctation of the aorta. 

Read more about types of congenital heart defects.

Causes and symptoms of congenital heart defects

CHDs can happen for many reasons, often without a clear cause. Factors like genetics (runs in families), environmental influences during pregnancy and certain health conditions can increase the risk.

Symptoms of a heart defect can vary depending on the type and how severe the condition is. Common signs include difficulty breathing, blueish skin (cyanosis), problems feeding and slow weight gain. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for managing CHDs effectively.

Learn more about causes, risk factors and symptoms.

Diagnosing congenital heart defects

Diagnosing CHDs involves several tests to see how the heart is working. Health care specialists like cardiologists use methods like ultrasound (echocardiogram) to take pictures of the heart with sound waves. They also use tests like electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to check the heart’s electrical activity and imaging scans like MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans.

Early and accurate diagnosis is important for planning treatment and ensuring the best outcomes. 

Read more about diagnosing CHDs.

Treatment and living with congenital heart defects

The treatment of CHDs depends on several factors, such as the type of defect, how serious the defect is and the patient’s age, size and health. 

Treating a heart defect may involve surgery to repair the heart’s structure. Specialists may also prescribe medications to help the heart work better or manage symptoms. Special procedures like cardiac catheterization can sometimes be used to fix certain problems without surgery.

Many people with CHDs grow up to lead healthy, active lives. Living with a heart defect involves regular check-ups, ongoing medical care and healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating well and staying active.

Each treatment and lifestyle plan is personalized to the specific condition and needs. Learn more about congenital heart defect treatments and living with CHDs.

Why choose Banner Health

Our Banner Health heart specialists are leading the way in diagnosing and treating a wide range of congenital heart defects, from the most common to the very rare. We treat every patient individually to determine the best treatment plan.

Schedule an appointment today with one of our heart specialists.