05/27/2026
Congenital Heart Defect (CHD)
Understanding the Most Common Birth Defect
❤️ A congenital heart defect is a problem with the structure of the heart that is present at birth.
Some defects are mild and may never cause symptoms. Others require surgery or lifelong medical care.
What Is Congenital Heart Defect?
Congenital Heart Defect affects how blood flows through the heart and to the rest of the body.
CHDs can involve:
Holes in the heart walls
Narrow or blocked blood vessels
Problems with heart valves
Parts of the heart that did not develop correctly
About 1 in every 100 babies is born with a congenital heart defect, making it the most common birth defect worldwide.
Common Types of CHD
Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) — a hole between the upper heart chambers
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) — a hole between the lower heart chambers
Tetralogy of Fallot — a combination of four heart abnormalities
Coarctation of the Aorta — narrowing of the major artery
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome — underdevelopment of the left side of the heart
Possible Signs & Symptoms
In Babies
Bluish lips or skin
Fast breathing
Poor feeding
Excessive sleepiness
Poor weight gain
In Children or Adults
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Heart murmurs
Dizziness or fainting
Difficulty exercising
Causes & Risk Factors
In many cases, the exact cause is unknown. Risk factors may include:
Genetic conditions or family history
Certain infections during pregnancy
Smoking or alcohol use during pregnancy
Poorly controlled diabetes
Certain medications taken during pregnancy
Diagnosis & Treatment
Doctors may diagnose CHD using:
Prenatal ultrasound
Echocardiogram
Chest X-ray
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Treatment depends on the type and severity and may include:
Monitoring
Medication
Catheter procedures
Open-heart surgery
Lifelong cardiac follow-up care
Hope for the Future
Thanks to advances in medicine:
Most children born with CHD now survive into adulthood
Early detection improves outcomes
Many people with CHD live active, fulfilling lives
How You Can Help
💙 Learn the signs
💙 Support affected families
💙 Encourage prenatal and pediatric heart screenings
💙 Donate to CHD research and awareness organizations
“Every heartbeat tells a story of strength, resilience, and hope.”
For more information:
cdc.gov�
heart.org�
childrensheartfoundation.org�
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