Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are problems with the heart’s structure that are present at birth. Heart defects happen as the baby’s heart develops during pregnancy, before the baby is born.
There are many types of CHDs. Some are simple issues that may not need treatment. Other types are more complex problems that require surgery. Most affect the walls, valves or blood vessels of the heart.
Read on to learn more about the different types of heart defects and how Banner Health can help.
A hole in the wall (septum) that separates the heart’s upper chambers (atria). This hole allows blood to flow between the chambers. Over time, this extra blood flow can strain the heart. It can increase the risk of problems like heart failure and stroke.
ASDs can sometimes close on their own without treatment. If the hole is large, it can be closed with open-heart surgery or cardiac catheterization.
Learn more about atrial septal defect (ASD).
A hole in the wall that separates the heart’s lower chambers (ventricles). This hole allows oxygen-rich blood to mix with oxygen-poor (low-oxygen) blood. It may cause higher pressure in the heart or reduced oxygen to the body, leading to heart failure or other problems.
Small VSDs may close on their own without treatment. Larger ones may need surgery to patch the hole and help with heart function.
Learn more about ventricular septal defect (VSD).
A blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus, which should close after birth, stays open. This can cause extra blood to flow into the lungs, making the heart work harder. It can lead to breathing problems and other heart problems.
Small PDAs may get better on their own without treatment. A larger one may need surgery to fix the hole in the vessel.
Learn more about patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
A combination of four heart defects that happen at the same time. It includes:
These defects together affect how blood flows to the lungs and the heart. They cause low-oxygen blood to circulate throughout the body.
TOF is usually diagnosed before or at birth. To fix problems, most children have open-heart surgery after birth.
Learn more about tetralogy of Fallot.
The two main arteries carrying blood away from the heart, the aorta and the pulmonary artery are switched. The aorta is in front of the pulmonary artery instead of behind it.
There are two types of TGA: dextro-transposition of the great arteries and l-transposition of the great arteries. TGA affects the way blood flows through the heart and lungs. It causes low poor blood to go to the body instead of the lungs and oxygen-rich blood to go to the lungs instead of the body.
Surgery is needed soon after birth to reroute the arteries correctly to ensure proper blood flow. Some infants may need medication or other treatments.
A condition where the left side of the heart is underdeveloped. The left side of the heart can’t pump blood well to the body. Instead, the right side of the heart has to do extra work, which can lead to heart failure.
HLHS is one of the most complex heart defects in newborns. Treatment usually involves a series of surgeries to create a new path for blood flow. Sometimes, a heart transplant may be needed.
A narrowing of the major artery (aorta) that carries blood to the body. This narrowing blocks blood flow to the lower part of the body. CoA causes high blood pressure and makes the heart work harder.
Surgery is usually needed to widen the narrowed part of the aorta and restore blood flow.
Each kind of congenital heart defect needs special care. Learn more about the causes of CHDs and the signs and symptoms.
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