As a physician on Secondlife dealing mostly with pregnancies, babies and children, this is very special to me because, so many people do not know about different illnesses, conditions and diseases that can develop during pregnancy and onto birth.
Take today to understand Congenital Heart Defect, get educated and stay aware.
The word “congenital” means existing at birth. The terms “congenital heart defect” and “congenital heart disease” are often used to mean the same thing, but “defect” is more accurate. A congenital heart defect (CHD) results when the heart, or blood vessels near the heart, don’t develop normally before birth.
What's your risk of Congenital Heart Defect?
Over 1.3 million Americans alive today have some form of congenital heart defect (CHD). In the United States, about 40,000 children are born with a heart defect each year. At least eight of every 1,000 infants born each year have a heart defect.
The causes of congenital heart defects are still being researched, but scientists and physicians are making progress.
The exact cause of most heart defects isn’t known. Although it’s presumed to be genetic, only a few genes have been linked to heart defects. That means heart defects are likely due to a combination of multiple genetic and environmental factors.
There’s usually a 2 to 15 percent chance of a heart defect recurring in a family. The odds depend on what type of defect is present and whether anyone else in your family has a heart defect.
There’s usually a 2 to 15 percent chance of a heart defect recurring in a family. The odds depend on what type of defect is present and whether anyone else in your family has a heart defect.
Genetic syndrome
Some people with congenital heart defects have a specific genetic condition that can include other health problems. They may or may not be aware that they have such a condition.
Rarely, congenital heart defects are caused by changes in a single gene. Often, when this is the case, more than one person in the family has a heart defect. The chances that another family member will have a heart defect can be as high as 50 percent.
Environmental exposure
Heart defects can also be caused by something your mother was exposed to during pregnancy, such as an infection or a drug. If you have such an environmentally caused defect, the chances that your children will have a heart defect is no higher than average, which is quite low.
Diagnosis
A congenital heart defect (CHD) is often diagnosed in infancy, or even before birth. But some defects are harder to detect than others and may not be diagnosed until much later in childhood or even adulthood.If you or your child has a congenital heart defect, it’s important to follow up regularly with a cardiologist. Your cardiologist can perform a range of tests to evaluate your heart problem.
At your appointment, the cardiologist will take your medical history and perform a physical exam. He or she may also order an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG), chest X-ray or an echocardiogram (ultrasound movie of the heart). Blood tests are particularly important for patients with cyanosis and single ventricle hearts treated with Fontan operations.
The cardiology staff will talk to you about each test. Don’t hesitate to ask the cardiologist, nurse or technician to explain these procedures. After your tests are completed, your cardiologist will explain the results and whether follow-up is needed.
Sometimes the initial tests don’t provide enough information for a complete diagnosis, and more tests may be necessary. These include cardiac catheterization and angiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CT scanning, Holter recording and stress testing.
Diagnosing children
Severe heart problems generally become evident during the first few months after birth. Some babies are blue or have very low blood pressure shortly after birth. Other defects cause breathing difficulties, feeding problems or poor weight gain.
Minor defects are most often diagnosed during a routine medical checkup. Minor defects rarely cause symptoms. While most heart murmurs in children are normal, some may be due to defects.
Stay educated about health because you never know when or if it can happen to you.
Signing out
Dr. Destiny Santiago
aka
Big Sister On Point
*•.¸♡ ๐๐ฝ๐ช ๐ข๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ช ๐๐ฎ๐ต๐ฝ๐ช ♡¸.•*
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