Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common birth defect in America. It begins in utero when the blood vessels of the heart do not develop normally. This causes problems in the blood flow of the heart. During an ultrasound check up a doctor may use an echocardiogram, which creates ultrasound pictures of the heart, to determine if there are heart abnormalities. However, some babies are not diagnosed until after they are born. Some symptoms that a doctor looks for after birth are:

• Rapid breathing
• Fatigue when feeding
• Blue tinted fingers and toes

There are 18 different types of CHD’s some more critical than others. According to the American Heart Association ventricular septal defect accounts for about 20% of all CHD’s. This defect involves holes between the lower chambers of the heart and only requires open heart surgery if the child develops heart failure. Unfortunately the cause for CHD’s is still unknown, but it is more prevalent in pregnant mothers who are diabetic, obese, or smoke. Approximately 3 million people in the U.S are living with this condition and can live a relatively long life due to advancements in technology. In spite of the advancements, people with a congenital heart defect face lifelong risk of health problems such as issues with growth and eating, developmental delays, difficulty with exercise, heart rhythm problems, heart failure, sudden cardiac arrest or stroke. If you would like a second opinion on your treatment and diagnosis contact us at secondopinions.com for your peace of mind.