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However, critical congenital heart defects often require treatment. Medicines. Medicine is often used if your baby has a specific type of congenital heart defect called patent ductus arteriosus. Usually, patent ductus arteriosus goes away on its own, however, sometimes medicine is needed to close the patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants.
English. Español. Congenital heart defects, or diseases, are problems with the heart’s structure that are present at birth. They may change the normal flow of blood through the heart. Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect, occurring in about one percent of live births in the United States.
Complex and critical defects may cause life-threatening symptoms that require immediate treatment. An example of a critical heart condition is the Tetralogy of Fallot. Babies born with this or another critical congenital heart defect typically have low levels of oxygen soon after birth and need surgery within the first year of life.
The risk of having a baby with a congenital heart defect is influenced by many factors including: Family history and genetics. Congenital heart disease is not usually passed along to your children, but there is some risk. The risk is greater if your baby’s other parent, or another of your children, has a congenital heart defect.
Get regular physical activity. Most people with congenital heart defects can be physically active. Physical activity can improve physical fitness and lower many heart disease risk factors, including high blood pressure . The amount or type of physical activity you or your child can do depends on the type of congenital heart defect, the ...
A conduction disorder, also known as heart block, is a problem with the electrical system that controls your heart’s rate and rhythm. This system is called the cardiac conduction system. Normally, the electrical signal that makes your heart beat travels from the top of your heart to the bottom. The signal causes your heart muscle to beat and ...
Fatigue, or feeling constantly tired. Heart murmurs, which are unusual sounds heard between heartbeats. Murmurs sometimes sound like a whooshing or swishing noise. Poor blood circulation. Rapid breathing. Shortness of breath during physical activity can happen in children or adults with a congenital heart defect.
Pulse oximetry is a test that can tell whether a newborn has low levels of oxygen in the blood, which may be a symptom of critical congenital heart defects. The test involves attaching sensors to the baby’s hands or feet to measure oxygen levels and is recommended for all newborns in the United States. Low oxygen levels in the blood could be ...
Heart and vascular, or cardiovascular, diseases include conditions such as arrhythmias, coronary heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, congenital heart defects, vascular dementia, and stroke. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) supports research on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of heart and ...
Other conditions: High blood pressure, diabetes, autoimmune disorders such as lupus, and other heart conditions can raise your risk of heart valve diseases. Radiation treatment for cancer can cause issues such as thickening and narrowing of heart valves. Sex: At all ages, men are more likely than women to have certain heart valve conditions ...