Facts about Congenital
Heart Defects
Congenital heart defects are conditions that are present at birth and can affect the structure of a baby’s heart and the way it works. They can affect how blood flows through the heart and out to the rest of the body. Congenital heart defects can vary from mild (such as a small hole between the chambers of the heart) to severe (such as missing or poorly formed portions of the heart).
Signs and symptoms for congenital heart defects depend on the type and severity of the particular defect. Some defects might have few or no signs or symptoms, while others might cause a baby to have bluish tinted nails or lips or fast or troubled breathing, to tire easily when feeding, or to be very sleepy.
Causes and Risk Factors
Did you know?
Congenital heart defects are
- The most common type of birth defect.
- A leading cause of infant death.
- Present among nearly 40,000 births in the United States each year.
CDC continues to study congenital heart defects to learn how to prevent them. Many structures in the baby (such as the heart) often are formed before many women realize they are pregnant. CDC's study collaborators have reported important findings about some pregnancy exposures that increase the risk for congenital heart defects: obesity, diabetes, and smoking. If a woman is obese, has diabetes, or smokes and is pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, she should talk with her doctor about ways to increase her chances of having a healthy baby.
Learn more about research on congenital heart defects »
Diagnosis
Some congenital heart defects may be diagnosed during pregnancy using a special type of ultrasound called a fetal echocardiogram, which creates pictures of the heart of the fetus. However, some congenital heart defects are not detected until later in life, during childhood or adulthood. Usually, though, congenital heart defects are diagnosed at birth or shortly afterward. If a health care provider suspects a congenital heart defect is present, the baby can get several tests (such as blood tests, an X-ray, and an echocardiogram) to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment for congenital heart defects depends on the type and severity of the defect present. Some might get better by themselves; however, others might need one or more surgeries to repair the heart or blood vessels. Some also can be treated without surgery with a procedure called cardiac catheterization. A long tube, called a catheter, is threaded through the blood vessels into the heart where a doctor can take measurements, do tests, or repair the problem.
Living With a Congenital Heart Defect
As medical care and treatment have advanced, infants with congenital heart defects are living longer and healthier lives. Many now are living into adulthood. It is estimated that nearly one million adults in the United States are living with a congenital heart defect. It is important for children and adults living with a congenital heart defect to see a specialized health care provider regularly throughout their lives.
Learn more about living with a congenital heart defect »
Other Health Problems Associated With Congenital Heart Defects
Many people with a congenital heart defect lead typical, independent lives without difficulty, while others might develop disability over time. Some people with a heart defect also have genetic problems or other health conditions that increase their risk for disability.
Even with improved treatments, many people with a congenital heart defect are not cured. People with a congenital heart defect can develop other health problems over time, depending on their specific heart defect, the number of heart defects they have, and the severity of their heart defect. For example, some other health problems that might develop include irregular heart beat (arrhythmias), increased risk of infection in the heart muscle (infective endocarditis), or the heart might become weak. People with a congenital heart defect will need routine checkups with a cardiologist (heart doctor) to stay as healthy as possible. They also might need further operations after initial childhood surgeries. It is important for people with a congenital heart defect to visit their doctor on a regular basis and discuss their health, including their specific heart condition, with their doctor.
Specific Congenital Heart Defects
CDC has information on the following congenital heart defects:
- Atrial Septal Defect
- Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
- Tetratology of Fallot
- Transposition of the Great Arteries
- Ventricular Septal Defect
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