Health Tips & Guides

Congenital means at the time of birth. The congenital heart disease brings a problem in the structure and function of the heart because of abnormal heart development before birth. It is also called cardiac abnormalities.

There are two types of congenital heart disease or abnormality. One is cyanotic which is also called blue discoloration. The second type called non cyanotic. In cyanotic type diseases like tetralogy of fall out, transposition of the great vessels, tricuspid atresia, total anomalous pulmonary venous return, truncus arteriosus, hypoplastic left heart, hypoplastic right heart, some forms of total anomalous pulmonary venous return and ebstein’s anomaly are included. Non cyanotic diseases include ventricular setal defect, atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, aortic stenosis, pulmonic stenosis, coarctation of the aorta and Atrioventricular canal (endocardial cushion defect).

These problems may happen alone or together. In most of the cases, the diseases occur alone without a combination of any other diseases. In its real essence, they can be due to the various genetic and chromosomal syndromes.

There is not any known cause has been identified for most congenital heart defects. The research and investigations are still in progress in this regard. However, some drugs such as retinoic acid for acne, chemicals, alcohol, and infections during pregnancy may cause congenital heart problems.
The treatment of the congenital heart diseases depends on the nature of problem. Some diseases are possible to treat with medicines alone, whereas, others need to be operated with surgeries, in some cases, more than one surgery which involve risk of death but only less than 5%.

To prevent congenital heart diseases, women should avoid alcohol and drugs during pregnancy. A blood test should be made to see immunity level to rubella. To keep in control the blood sugar level is also an important step to take during pregnancy because diabetes is also associated with congenital heart diseases. The genetic factor is also involved; therefore regular ultrasounds are suggested to expectant mothers to scan child’s position and condition. The cardiothoracic experts should be contacted under alarming situation.