Last updated on January 7, 2022
Content By: Dr. Nikita Toshi BDS, Assistant Manager (Medical Review), Dr. Ritu Budania MBBS, MD (Pharmacology) Head, Medical Affairs
Last updated on January 7, 2022
Heart disease is a condition that we normally associate with adults. However, congenital heart disease is a type of birth defect in which the baby has some form of structural or functional problem with his/her heart. Some congenital heart diseases may remain undiagnosed initially and are diagnosed when the child grows up while other conditions may be diagnosed at an early stage. It is hard to imagine babies and children living with a heart condition that can lead to further complications and affect the quality of their lives.
There are over 18 different types of congenital heart diseases. The types can vary from person to person and range from mild to severe. However, congenital heart disease types are mainly categorized into various types depending upon the condition. Some conditions involve the valves of the heart while others can involve the heart wall or other developmental defects.
It is worth noting that ongoing research work conducted by doctors around the world has helped improve survival rates significantly. Medical advances and improved surgical techniques continue to bring hope to families living with this condition across India.
Keep reading as we explore congenital heart disease in detail – from its types to symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment. So, let’s get started.
Heart disease is a condition that we normally associate with adults. However, congenital heart disease is a type of birth defect in which the baby has some form of structural or functional problem with his/her heart. Some congenital heart diseases may remain undiagnosed initially and are diagnosed when the child grows up while other conditions may be diagnosed at an early stage. It is hard to imagine babies and children living with a heart condition that can lead to further complications and affect the quality of their lives.
There are over 18 different types of congenital heart diseases. The types can vary from person to person and range from mild to severe. However, congenital heart disease types are mainly categorized into various types depending upon the condition. Some conditions involve the valves of the heart while others can involve the heart wall or other developmental defects.
It is worth noting that ongoing research work conducted by doctors around the world has helped improve survival rates significantly. Medical advances and improved surgical techniques continue to bring hope to families living with this condition across India.
Keep reading as we explore congenital heart disease in detail – from its types to symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment. So, let’s get started.
Written by
BDS, Assistant Manager (Medical Review)
Reviewed by
MBBS, MD (Pharmacology) Head, Medical Affairs
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a heart abnormality in a newborn baby in which there is a structural or functional problem with the heart. Typically, the condition is present at birth but may not be detected until years later due to non-specific symptoms like fatigue, tiredness, palpitations, etc. They can also lead to life-threatening complications causing respiratory problems, cyanosis (bluish discolouration of the skin due to low-level oxygen), heart failure (a condition where the heart muscle is unable to pump blood as effectively as it should) or sudden death even without any warning symptoms/signs.
There are some types that can be life-threatening for individuals living with them. In India, the estimated number of children born with congenital heart disease is over 200,000 per year. It is found that most babies born with this condition are from the populous states of India, such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. These babies do not receive the care they deserve. There are hardly enough centres in the country that cater to children with this condition.
Is your child experiencing any symptoms of congenital heart disease?
Book a diagnostic appointment on PharmEasy today!
As mentioned earlier, there are several types of congenital heart defects. Depending on the individual, they can range from simple defects that cause mild complications to severe types with potential complications like heart failure. Overall, congenital heart disease can affect the blood vessels, the heart valves (valves that allow blood to flow in one direction through the chambers of the heart) and the heart wall.
Although there are many types of congenital heart defects, they can be broadly categorized into cyanotic and acyanotic heart disease.
Cyanotic heart condition refers to a type of congenital heart disease where the baby has excessive levels of unoxygenated haemoglobin (an iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body) in his blood. This causes skin discolouration (bluish tint) on babies and children due to insufficient oxygen reaching their tissues.
Most types of cyanotic heart defects are associated with serious health problems that may cause complications, including heart failure or pulmonary hypertension (a condition that occurs when the pressure in the blood vessels leading from the heart to the lungs is too high) if not detected early enough. On average, 5.7 out of 1000 infants born with some type of cyanotic CHD die without any corrective procedure done. However, some people can live long lives after treatment for these types since they do not have any symptoms/signs apart from a bluish tinge to lips and nail beds.
Acyanotic congenital heart disease, on the other hand, refers to a type of congenital heart disease that does not cause cyanosis. In other words, babies born with these types of heart conditions have a normal colouration in their skin and nails due to the adequate oxygen supply all over their body parts.
However, this type of congenital heart disease can also lead to other complications like high blood pressure and other symptoms that can lead to types of cyanotic CHD if left untreated for too long. Again, early detection is vital because it makes corrective surgeries simpler and more likely effective as well.
Now let’s take a look at some common congenital heart disease types among Indians:
The types of congenital heart disease that affect the valves include transposition of great vessels, coarctation (narrowing) of the aorta, aortic stenosis, pulmonary valve stenosis, and Ebstein anomaly.
Aortic Stenosis – Aortic stenosis happens when the valves between the left ventricle (main pumping chamber of the heart) and ascending aorta (the main artery that carries blood from your heart to the rest of your body) become narrow, causing problems with blood flow in this section of your cardiovascular system. The condition is more common in babies with Down syndrome. Aortic stenosis is often diagnosed during a physical examination or an echocardiogram (ultrasound test for the cardiovascular system). Depending on the severity, different types of aortic stenosis treatments and medications are recommended to the patients.
Ebstein Anomaly – Ebstein Anomaly is a congenital heart defect that occurs when the right side of the heart and the tricuspid valve (the valve located between the two right chambers of the heart) do not form properly. It causes problems with the flow of blood into and out of your heart. As a result, babies show symptoms like:
This type of congenital heart disease can be diagnosed through an echocardiogram. Depending on how severe it is, doctors recommend different types of Ebstein anomaly treatment, such as medication and surgical procedures.
Pulmonary Valve Stenosis – This happens when the valves between the right ventricle (the chamber in the heart that pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs) and pulmonary artery (the artery that carries blood to the lungs to receive oxygen) become narrow, causing problems with blood flow in this section of their cardiovascular system. The condition is more common among babies born prematurely (before 37 weeks). However, it is to be noted that not all types of congenital heart disease can be detected before birth using ultrasound tests. Pulmonary valve stenosis also increases the risk of atrial or ventricular septal heart defects (which we shall discuss later). This is because the left and right sides of your heart do not develop properly either due to genetic factors/reasons during the pregnancy time frame.
Heart wall defects primarily affect the thickness or structure of your baby’s heart walls. And they include conditions that arise due to incomplete formation or defect in one or more regions of the heart wall like atrial septal defect (ASD), ventricular septal defect (VSD) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), Patent foramen ovale (hole in the heart due to improper/incomplete closure of foramen ovale – a connection between the left and right upper chambers of the heart that normally closes during infancy).
Atrial Septal Defect – Atrial Septal Defects happen when there is a hole in-between two upper chambers of your heart i.e., left and right atria. As a result, oxygen-rich blood mixes with oxygen-poor blood within these chambers, which can lead to cyanotic congenital heart disease. This is because your body does not get enough levels of oxygen due to abnormalities in cardiac structures within its cardiovascular system. Atrial Septal Defect treatment generally involves taking medications and undergoing surgeries like cardiac catheterization and open-heart surgery.
Ventricular Septal Defect – Ventricular Septal Defect happens when there is a hole (defect) in between two lower chambers of your heart i.e., left and right ventricles. This increases the risk of types of CHD associated with low oxygen levels as well because blood flow becomes irregular. For ventricular septal defect treatment, the doctor might prescribe certain medications based on the severity of the symptoms or might recommend opting for medical procedures like surgical repair or catheter procedure.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus – Patent Ductus Arteriosus is a condition where two major arteries of the heart do not close after birth. A few of the Patent Ductus Arteriosus symptoms include poor eating, breathlessness, getting tired easily, and rapid heart rate. This causes abnormal blood flow from the heart and to the rest of the body. It will also result in less oxygen being carried around the body. The biggest risk associated with patent ductus arteriosus is the increased likelihood of developing congestive heart failure later on because this problem prevents proper circulation due to irregular blood flow among cardiac structures.
This type of CHD refers to defects related to the blood vessels that are formed during a baby’s heart development. They include transposition of great arteries, tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and pulmonary atresia.
Transposition of great arteries – Transposition of great arteries is a rare condition in which the two main arteries (the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to other body parts) are transposed or switched in position. These arteries are the ones that leave the heart and so if this condition occurs it is possible to develop cyanotic congenital heart disease.
Tetralogy Of Fallot – This condition occurs when there is a problem with how your baby’s right ventricle (lower right chamber of the heart) works due to four different defects in this part of the cardiovascular system:
Pulmonary valve stenosis
Ventricular septal defect
Overriding aorta, which is a congenital heart defect wherein the aorta – the biggest artery is out of place and is positioned directly on top of the ventricular septal defect.
Ventricular hypertrophy, a defect where the wall of the right ventricle (lower right chamber of the heart) gets abnormally thickened.
Pulmonary atresia – This blood vessel defect develops when one of your baby’s pulmonary arteries, which carry blood to the lungs for oxygenation, is not formed properly.
Tetralogy Of Fallot treatment usually involves sugerical procedures like open-heart surgery, intracardiac repair or temporary shunt surgery.
Worried that your newborn has some type of congenital heart defect?
Book a diagnostic test on PharmEasy to confirm the diagnosis today!
Infants and children can show a series of congenital heart disease symptoms if they are suffering from any type of CHD. However, the symptoms vary from individual to individual depending upon the type of congenital heart disease. Some can be more serious and life-threatening, while others are less serious and manageable.
Bluish lips, skin, fingers and toes
Low birth weight
Swelling in the legs, eyes and belly
Rapid breathing
Difficulting in breastfeeding
Chest pain
Delayed growth
Swelling in hands, ankles and feet
Fatigue and getting easily tired during physical activity
Irregular heart rhythms
Seeing your doctor is always recommended whenever you notice any signs of CHD. This will help you get a proper diagnosis and congenital heart disease treatment required to manage associated conditions.
It’s important to know that congenital heart disease can occur at all ages but it happens more commonly during the infancy stages when cardiac structures are developing inside a baby’s body. Some types may even cause no symptoms at birth or early months, only increasing the risk for serious complications later on. This is because they go undetected without regular checkups. So, getting an expert opinion helps detect problems early enough before causing further damage to the child’s health. So don’t wait too long before consulting your doctor!
Is your infant showing CHD symptoms?
Book a diagnostic test on PharmEasy to confirm the diagnosis today!
Congenital heart disease can possibly occur due to an early developmental problem in the heart’s structure. In the majority of cases, it is passed on from one generation to another if there is a genetic factor involved.
Hereditary heart defects – Genetic heart disease can be passed down through generations.
Diet deficiencies in the mother during pregnancy – Iron, folic acid and other types of vitamins are essential for the proper development of your baby’s cardiovascular system inside their body.
Stressful conditions like extreme emotional distress or physical stress experienced by women before childbirth may also cause CHDs in babies, although this is still under research, according to some experts.
Maternal infections like rubella (a viral infection also called German measles) contracted around the time when fetal structures are developing may lead to congenital heart disease too.
Environmental factors like radiation exposure at high altitudes, excessive alcohol intake during pregnancy, exposure to certain chemicals and drugs, etc, all contribute towards increasing risk factors for congenital heart disease.
Improper levels of thyroid hormones during pregnancy due to low iodine intake by mother.
History of diabetes or increased blood sugar levels in mothers during pregnancy also increases the risk of CHDs in children.
Exposure to high levels of X-rays during pregnancy can increase chances for CHD too.
Other medical conditions your baby may inherit from parents such as infections, metabolic disorders, etc.
Use of certain medications that may be harmful to the baby (teratogenic) during pregnancy.
Take prenatal vitamins containing folic acid before and during pregnancy.
Quit smoking or drinking alcohol to avoid harm to your baby’s future health.
Learn about congenital heart disease if you are pregnant already so that proper steps can be taken for treatment options in the early stages. This is important because chances of survival are high when the problem with the child’s cardiovascular system is detected at an earlier stage. If a heart defect has been confirmed after birth, then parents must ask their doctor whether any special tests need to be performed on their baby immediately.
Go for regular checkups to detect congenital heart disease in your baby as early as possible.
Inform the doctor about any family history of CHD so that appropriate tests can be performed to diagnose this problem if suspected at an earlier stage itself.
Go for a preconception checkup with your OB-GYN before conceiving since congenital heart disease may affect fertility and other pregnancy complications too. Your doctor will help you take steps towards building a healthier future for yourself and your baby by making sure all required precautions are taken during pregnancy.
Eat and drink healthy during your pregnancy. Your child’s health is in your hands.
Give birth at a hospital with an experienced pediatric cardiologist if the baby has been diagnosed with CHD.
Do not hesitate to ask questions about congenital heart disease or its treatments as you must aim to gain a better understanding so that proper care can be taken immediately if needed. Your child’s life may depend on it.
Congenital heart defects can lead to a lot of problems depending on the types and severity.
They can primarily cause heart failure and the accumulation of fluid inside the lungs. In addition, poor oxygenation due to reduced supply of blood into tissues can lead to an increased risk of developing high blood pressure (hypertension) and other types of cardiovascular diseases later in life, along with an early onset of fatigue at lower levels of activity compared to normal people without this problem.
Some common issues caused by congenital heart defects include:
Congestive heart failure – Congestive heart failure is a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood and other essential nutrients to the body. This can lead to fluid buildup in the body, causing the heart to overwork.
Heart infections – When a baby’s heart is unable to pump enough blood, it can pool in the cavities of the heart and cause an infection.
Heart rhythm issues – Congenital heart defects can cause the electrical impulses that control your heartbeat to be faulty, which causes irregular beats. This can lead to palpitations or chest pain.
Delayed development issues – When a child does not get enough blood and nutrients due to heart defects, it can cause a delay in their development.
Stroke – Strokes occur due to multiple reasons such as a blocked artery, leaking or bursting of a blood vessel that reduces the blood flow to the brain, which can cause permanent damage if not treated immediately. This is caused when congenital heart defects prevent oxygenated or unoxygenated blood from flowing as it should throughout the body.
Mental health disorders – Poor heart health can lead to low self-esteem, depression or other mental health disorders. The condition worsens when the child is unable to participate in physical activities.
Supplement your treatment of congenital heart disease with the right health care products.
Order online on PharmEasy and get great discounts in just a few clicks!
The congenital heart disease diagnosis will depend on the types and severity of the congenital heart disease.
A thorough physical examination will be done to take a look at the child’s general health as well as examine their cardiovascular system.
If required, imaging tests such as echocardiography, chest X-ray or an electrocardiograph may also help determine the types and extent of the heart condition in your baby. These tests are non-invasive and safe for infants because the high-frequency sound waves and electrical currents do not cause any harm during testing procedures. However, you must inform the doctor if your infant has had any surgeries recently before going for these types of tests.
In some cases, doctors may perform a test when the infant is still in the womb. It is known as prenatal scans and is done to screen, determine the types and severity of CHD in a foetus.
In some other cases, children with congenital heart disease might have other health issues at birth along with their heart problems, such as breathing problems because of low oxygen levels or laryngeal cleft (when there is a gap between two parts of the neck). This can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. In these types of situations, doctors will immediately take steps towards stabilizing babies before fixing any heart-related issues.
Ultrasound and prenatal scans to detect CHDs in the womb – This is the most common way to detect CHDs as it identifies structural problems within the baby’s heart before they are born.
Blood oxygen monitoring – This test is performed in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) where doctors monitor your child’s breathing and pulse to make sure they are getting enough oxygen. They use an electrocardiogram, a diagnostic test in which electrodes are placed on their skin to measure the heart rate.
ECG – These tests measure your baby’s electrical impulses and heartbeat in order to diagnose any irregularities that could be causing CHDs.
Echocardiogram – This is a test that uses ultrasound waves to produce images of your child’s heart, so doctors can see if there are any abnormalities in how it works or looks inside. It also helps diagnose CHDs by checking pressure and blood flow through the chambers and valves of the heart.
Chest X-ray – Babies and children with potential heart issues may be given x-ray imaging, which can determine how well blood flows through arteries in the body.
Cardiac catheterization – This is a test that uses X-rays and an ultrasound to observe how your child’s heart works, as well as check its size and blood vessels. Doctors will insert a thin tube into one or more blood vessels in their groin or arm, which goes up to their chest cavity where the heart is located. This test allows the doctor to diagnose CHDs and find out if there are other health issues that need treatment as well, such as high blood pressure or anaemia. The most common causes of high blood pressure include smoking, stress, lack of physical activity, and being obese.
MRI of the heart – This test uses a magnetic resonance imaging machine to get an image of your child’s heart, which can help doctors diagnose CHDs and also spot any other issues that may be present.
Worried that your child might have congenital heart disease?
Book a diagnostic appointment at Pharmeasy today!
Medications – Your doctor will recommend certain medications to manage your baby’s congenital heart disease based on the severity of the condition to manage the symptoms and help prevent further complications. Make sure to follow the instructions and dosage as prescribed by your doctor.
Catheter Procedures to repair the defect – Catheter procedures are minimally invasive types of surgeries that are used instead of open-heart surgery. The doctor inserts the catheter (thin tube) into a blood vessel in your child’s leg or arm and then it is guided to reach the affected part through their circulatory system (blood vessels). Once there, The doctor can treat any issues with ease by injecting medications or using other types of techniques.
Implantable Heart Devices – Implantable heart devices are used to treat various types of congenital heart defects. These include:
Surgeries:
Heart Transplant – A surgical procedure in which the patient’s diseased heart is replaced with a donated healthy one. A heart transplant is the last resort when all other options have been failed. However, finding a donor’s heart can be a difficult and lengthy process in India. Post-transplant medications and lifestyle changes to prevent organ rejection need to be followed carefully and regularly after a heart transplant.
Open Heart Surgery – If your child has cyanotic congenital heart disease, they may require surgery to close off any holes in their heart so that blood can flow correctly through the chambers. This is done through an open-heart surgery where a doctor will insert a patch or use certain types of devices made from artificial materials to cover up these areas and prevent further complications due to fluid overloads.
Manage the symptoms of congenital heart disease with the right medicines!
Order online on PharmEasy and get it home delivered at your convenience!
After the surgery, there are certain precautions that parents should take to ensure a speedy recovery and minimize the risk of post-surgical complications. A congenital heart disease support group can also help parents be more aware of what to expect after surgery, how to take care of their child during this period and assist them with any questions they may have regarding their baby’s health.
In addition, follow-up appointments are necessary so that doctors can monitor your child’s condition as he/she grows older in order to avoid future problems or seek immediate medical attention if required.
After the surgery, your child will need to stay in the hospital for about two weeks. Then he/she may be discharged but will have to return every week or so for follow-up appointments. After four months of treatment and regular checkups, your doctor might recommend home-based care with doctors visits once a month.
Your child’s first year is very important as they are at high risk due to their increased chance of infections because their immune system isn’t strong enough. It is crucial that parents ensure proper hygiene practices at all times during this period by regularly washing hands before touching them, sterilising baby bottles (wash with hot water), etc.
Congenital heart defects are treatable and most children with these types of conditions lead normal, healthy lives. The earlier the diagnosis and surgery is performed on your child, the better they will be able to manage the condition.
Parents need constant support from their family members, friends and medical team. They have to deal with a lot of stress that comes along with the diagnosis, which may lead to anxiety or depression later on in life if not dealt with properly at an early stage. It is important for parents to receive mental health services such as counselling or psychotherapy regularly during this period so they can cope effectively without any further complications arising due to these types of issues down the road.
Join a support group to meet other parents who have children with this diagnosis and share your experiences.
Try breathing exercises, yoga or meditation daily in order to cope better during stressful times.
Get enough sleep every night so that you can function properly throughout the day without feeling tired all the time.
Seek medical attention if symptoms of depression such as loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, lack of appetite for days at a stretch or thoughts about hurting oneself or others arise.
As you can see, there are different types of congenital heart disease in India that require different types of diagnosis and treatments to ensure proper health. Parents need to remain vigilant throughout the pregnancy stage so that the symptoms can be detected early on. It is important to know the right way to take care of your child with CHD after surgery, especially their immune system levels until one year old due to increased risk factors at that early stage.
Most importantly, always consult with an experienced medical team immediately after diagnosis to ensure the best possible prognosis for your child.
Supplement your treatment with the right medicines!
Order online on PharmEasy and get healthcare products at great prices today.
The most common types of congenital heart disorder in India include:
Congenital heart disorders are usually diagnosed once the baby is born or within their first year of life. Some types like coarctation of the aorta (narrowing of the aorta), septal defects (holes in the heart) and patent ductus arteriosus can be detected before birth through prenatal scans, after which the doctors will keep track of your child.
Yes, some types of congenital heart disease like atrial and ventricular septal defects cause heart defects in the unborn child. Others like transposition of the great arteries, tetralogy of Fallot and truncus arteriosus are not passed on to the baby through genetic means.
While congenital heart disease cannot always be prevented, you can monitor your child throughout the pregnancy stage to detect any types of defects early on. Prenatal scans are important in identifying types of congenital heart disease like patent ductus arteriosus or ventricular septal defect before birth so that the doctor can provide proper care and medication. However, taking certain precautions like quitting smoking and drinking, regular checkups and proper nutrition can help your baby’s heart develop properly.
Depending on the type of congenital heart disease, different types of treatment can be applied. The most common types of treatments for children with CHD include medications like diuretics and supplemental oxygen, cardiac catheterization to determine what kind of care is needed immediately after birth, corrective surgeries to fix holes in their hearts or correct blood flow problems, open-heart surgery to fix heart defects, pacemaker implantation and even heart transplant.
Children can experience different types of side effects depending on the type of congenital heart disease. Some types like atrial septal defects and the ventricular septal defect may not cause any adverse symptoms, while others like transposition of great arteries or hypoplastic left heart syndrome (a birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart) can result in shortness of breath, fatigue with physical activity, fainting spells when standing and cyanosis (bluish tint to the skin or lips).
Leave a Comment