About Congenital Heart Disease

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Congenital heart disease is the name given to any heart defect or malformation that is present at birth. Most types of congenital heart disease involve a deformity within the heart and/or the large blood vessels connected to the heart. Currently, there are about 35 different types of congenital heart defects.
In some patients, the defect(s) may be mild and unnoticed at birth, then diagnosed later in life. In other children, the effects of the defect(s) are so severe that diagnosis occurs either before birth or around the prenatal (newborn) period. With the sophisticated medical technology now available for diagnosis and treatment, many babies born with congenital heart disease now go on to lead healthy, normal and full adult lives.

Congenital heart disease is the most common of all major birth defects with approximately 36,000 American–born babies every year with Congenital heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. A quarter of the fatalities due to congenital heart disease occur within the first month of life.

Next Page: Potential Causes of Congenital Heart Disease

Related Congenital Heart Disease Articles

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• Congenital Heart Disease Overview
• About Congenital Heart Disease
• Potential Causes of Congenital Heart Disease
• Types and Differences of Heart Defects
• About Fetal Heart Development
• Prospects for Recovery with Heart Defects
• Signs and Symptoms of Heart Defects