Types of Congenital Heart Disease

Types of Congenital Heart Disease

Almost everyone has some problem or defect with their heart at birth, called congenital heart disease (CHD). The defects can be simple or serious and can be detected before your baby is born or later in life.





Common types of CHD include cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease, which are problems with how much oxygen the heart can pump or how the heart functions. These heart conditions may cause low levels of oxygen in your child’s blood, which can result in breathing difficulties and a bluish tint to the skin.

Some CHDs can be detected during pregnancy, with fetal ultrasound and echocardiogram. These scans are similar to an X-ray, but they can give more detailed information about the heart’s chambers and valves.

Other problems can be found during a physical exam, chest X-ray or an electrocardiogram (EKG). These tests can show abnormalities with the heart’s valves and walls.

Examples of these problems are holes in the heart, issues with the blood vessels that carry blood to the heart and some defects that mix systemic and pulmonary (breathing) blood flow. Some heart defects also cause too little or too much blood to travel to the lungs, which can lead to high pressure and stress in the lungs.

Depending on the location, these defects can be called atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect or patent ductus arteriosus. During the first few days of life, these defects usually close on their own without any need for surgery. fall detection pendant australia