Causes and Signs of Congenital Heart Defects

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are problems with the heart’s structure that a person is born with. These defects can affect how blood flows through the heart and body. Knowing the causes and signs of CHD helps in getting treatment early.

At Banner Health, we are here to help you understand and manage these conditions. Our team of heart specialists is dedicated to providing you or your child with the very best care.

Causes of congenital heart defects

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) occur when something affects the normal development of the baby’s heart during pregnancy. These often happen in the first six weeks of pregnancy. 

In many cases, there is no known reason for heart defects. Sometimes, it is inherited (genetic). If you or other family members had a CHD, you or your baby might have a higher chance of having one, too.

In addition, conditions like Down syndrome often come with heart defects. These genetic or chromosomal issues can affect how the heart forms.

Other factors that may increase the chance of heart defects include:

• Lifestyle and environment: Some heart defects may be caused by something a pregnant person is exposed to during pregnancy. These may include:
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Smoking
  • Use of opioids or other non-prescribed drugs
  • Being around high levels of pollution or radiation
  • For pregnant women: If you smoke or drink alcohol, talk to your health care provider about getting help to quit. 
• Certain medicines: Certain medications taken during pregnancy can affect the baby’s heart. These include:
  • Certain anti-seizure medicines
  • Lithium for depression
  • Certain acne medications
  • Certain medicines to treat high blood pressure and cholesterol
  • For pregnant women: Don’t start or stop taking any prescription medications before, during or after pregnancy without talking to your health care provider first. Starting, stopping or changing medicines may cause serious health problems.
• Health conditions: Having one of these conditions can increase the risk for a CHD:
  • Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
  • Lupus
  • Phenylketonuria (PKU)
  • Rubella (German measles)
  • Flu (influenza) during the first trimester of pregnancy
  • For pregnant women: Contact your health care provider for advice on recommended vaccinations and managing your health condition.
• Poor nutrition: Not getting enough important vitamins, like folic acid, during pregnancy can contribute to heart defects.
  • For pregnant women: Your health care provider can advise you on what prenatal vitamins to take before, during and after pregnancy to help you and your baby.

Signs and symptoms of congenital heart defects

Many heart defects are found before or right after birth. However, some signs might not appear until later. Here are some common signs to watch for in different age groups:

Infants (0 to 1 year)

In babies, the signs of congenital heart defects may be more noticeable because their bodies are small. Any problems can have a big effect. Watch for signs of:

• Rapid breathing: Breathing faster than normal, even when at rest.
• Cyanosis: A bluish tint to the skin, lips or fingernails. This indicates low oxygen levels. 
• Poor feeding: Problems feeding, taking longer to feed or getting tired during feedings.
• Slow weight gain: Not gaining weight as expected, even with regular feeding.
• Sweating: Sweating a lot, especially during feeding.

Toddlers (1 to 3 years)

As children grow, some signs might be different or less obvious. For toddlers, watch for:

• Fatigue: Getting easily tired, especially during play or physical activity.
• Shortness of breath: Problems breathing, especially when active.
• Poor growth: Not growing as expected for their age.
• Frequent respiratory infections: Getting colds, pneumonia or other respiratory illnesses often.
• Pale or bluish skin: Skin that looks unusually pale or has a blue tint.

School-age children (4 to 12 years)

In school-age children, the symptoms of CHDs might become more noticeable during physical activities. Look for:

• Difficulty keeping up: Struggling to keep up with peers during physical activity.
• Chest pain: Complain of chest pain, especially during exercise.
• Dizziness or fainting (syncope): Feeling dizzy or fainting, especially during or after physical activity.
• Heart murmurs: Unusual whooshing sounds heard during a heartbeat, often found by a health care provider.
• Swelling: Swelling in the legs, stomach or areas around the eyes.

Teenagers and adults (13 years and older)

Teens and adults might experience similar symptoms. Here are some signs to watch for:

• Exercise intolerance: Having trouble with physical activities that were previously easy.
• Palpitations: Feeling like the heart is racing or skipping beats.
• Shortness of breath: Struggling to breathe, especially during exercise.
• Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired all the time.
• Swelling: Swelling in the feet, ankles or stomach.

If you or your child, at any age, experience any of these signs or symptoms, it's important to talk with a health care provider. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in managing congenital heart defects (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 for congenital heart defect care at Banner Health.