Heart defects

Overview

Congenital heart disease is a catch-all phrase for a wide variety of abnormalities that occur while the heart is still developing. It is one of the most common birth defects, affecting about one percent, roughly 4,000 newborns in Canada each year.

There are many types of congenital heart disease including:

  • holes in the wall of the heart or blood vessels
  • problems with the heart valves
  • problems with the placement or development of blood vessels near the heart
  • problems with development of the heart itself

Most children with congenital heart defects grow into adulthood and live productive lives. Some will however continue to need specialized care for survival and to maintain a good quality of life. Others may need multiple procedures, including cardiac catheterizations and surgeries. Some may need pacemakers to help their hearts beat properly.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of congenital heart disease are:

  • a heart murmur
  • a bluish tint to skin, lips, and fingernails ("blue baby")
  • fast breathing
  • shortness of breath
  • poor feeding, especially in infants because they tire easily while nursing
  • poor weight gain in infants
  • tiring easily during exercise or activity (older children)

Some children with congenital heart defects do not grow and develop as fast as other children who are the same age. Your child may be smaller and thinner than other children. He or she may also start activities such as rolling over, sitting, and walking later than other children. After treatment growth and development often improve.

Causes

CHD occurs when the heart or the network of blood vessels near it does not develop properly before birth, a defect which can disrupt the normal flow of blood through the heart causing it to slow down, go in the wrong direction or even block it completely. Doctors do not know what causes this, although they believe heredity may play a role. Babies who have certain other birth defects, such as Down syndrome, are also more likely to have congenital heart defects. Other factors that raise the risk for congenital heart defects are:

  • Having viral infections, such as German measles (rubella), during pregnancy
  • Having diabetes
  • Taking some types of prescription or over-the-counter medicines during pregnancy
  • Being repeatedly exposed to some chemicals or x-rays during pregnancy
  • Using alcohol or street drugs during pregnancy

Treatment

Doctors typically diagnose a congenital heart defect while the child is still very young, in some cases, even before birth. The treatment the child receives depends on the type and severity of the defect. Some can be treated with medicines. Others need surgery, pacemakers, even heart transplants.

Prevention

While there is no magic bullet to ensure a child isn't born with congenital heart defects, you might be able to reduce the risk. If you are planning to become pregnant or are pregnant, talk to your doctor about any medicines that you are taking, including:

  • over-the-counter medicines
  • prescription medicines
  • vitamin and mineral supplements
  • herbal supplements

Your doctor will likely recommend that you take folate before you become pregnant. While this is primarily aimed at preventing abnormalities in the baby's nervous system, there is some evidence that it may also help prevent certain types of congenital heart defects.

While pregnant, you should avoid:

  • strong chemicals, including some cleaning products
  • repeated exposure to x-rays
  • any harmful or poisonous materials