Congenital Heart Disease: Causes, Symptoms And Preventive Measures

Last Updated:February 23, 2025, 19:48 IST

Occurring in one in every 100 live births, this defect can affect the structure of the heart and the blood vessels, leading to cyanosis, swelling in the legs, rapid heartbeat, and fatigue.

Congenital heart disease (CHD), also known as congenital heart defect, is one of the most common heart abnormalities present at birth. Occurring in one in every 100 live births, this defect can affect the structure of the heart and the blood vessels, leading to cyanosis, swelling in the legs, rapid heartbeat, and fatigue. These issues may include a hole in your heart wall, issues with your blood vessels (too many or too few, blood flowing too slowly, to the wrong place, or in the wrong direction), or problems with your heart valves that control blood flow.

Let us delve into what the types of congenital heart disease are, the symptoms, and the prevention of this birth defect:

Congenital heart disease: Types

Acyanotic heart disease and cyanotic heart disease are the two types of CHDs present at birth.

– Acyanotic heart disease: This involves an issue that makes abnormal mixing of oxygenated (pure) and deoxygenated (impure) blood. It can lead to pressure overload defects or volume overload defects.

– Cyanotic heart disease: These heart anomalies reduce the amount of oxygen your heart can deliver to the rest of your body. Babies born with cyanotic CHD usually have low levels of oxygen and require surgery. Some varieties commonly seen in babies with cyanotic CHD are Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA), and Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection (TAPVC).

Congenital heart disease: Symptoms

Cyanosis (bluish skin, lips or nails)

Excessive sleepiness

Fast breathing or trouble breathing

Fatigue (extreme tiredness)

Getting unusually tired or out of breath during exercise

abnormal heart rhythms (a swishing sound your heart makes that may indicate abnormal blood flow)

Poor blood circulation

Weak pulse or pounding heartbeat

Delayed growth

Low birth weight

Congenital heart disease: Causes

The suspected causes of congenital heart defects vary widely. It depends on the heart defect in families, taking certain prescription drugs during pregnancy puts a child at a higher risk for a heart defect, or using alcohol or drugs during pregnancy can increase the risk of having a heart defect in a child. Mothers who had a viral infection during the first trimester of pregnancy are also likely to give birth to a child with a heart defect.

Congenital heart disease: Prevention

Pregnant women must avoid drinking alcohol, smoking or taking medication. Maintaining normal blood sugar levels is crucial.

Ensure the woman is vaccinated against rubella and flu.

Taking 400 micrograms of folic acid supplement a day during the first trimester (first 12 weeks) lowers the risk of giving birth to a child with congenital heart disease.

Avoid contact with people who have an infection.

Lastly, avoid exposure to organic solvents, especially those used in paint thinners, dry cleaning, and nail polish remover.