Question 1

can you die from congenital heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Yes. There are several heart defects that you may die from if you are affected.  Usually that happens early in life. Many of the defects can be corrected surgically, but not all of them and sometimes despite correction they do not have good prognosis. I would refer you for the list of such conditions to pediatric cardiologist since science in this area is changing constantly.

Question 2

what are the tests for congenital heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Ultrasound, EKG: An echo and ultrasound will pick up nearly all. Further testing may be indicated in specific cases.

Question 3

what are death rates of congenital heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Variable: This varies quite a bit with the chd under consideration. If you have a specific one in mind, please submit a new question with that in mind.

Question 4

need expert advice. what is congenital heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Present at birth: Congenital heart disease and the term congenital heart defect are used interchangeably.  Congenital heart defects are structural abnormalities of the heart and/or the large blood vessels in the chest that are present at birth.  There are dozens of different defects.  Some have no real implication and some can have life-threatening consequences requiring multiple surgeries starting early in life.

Question 5

is congenital heart disease genetic?

Accepted Answer

Some of it: Even though 8 out of every 1000 babies born will have have some form of heart defect, when there is a first line family member affected the number goes up to about 16-30/1000 (for some particular defects this number will be higher) so this would suggest a genetic component...We just haven't learned enough about genetics and the heart to be more precise, but this is changing every day.

Question 6

which antibiotic causes congenital heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Usually none: Most antibiotics do not cause birth defects and there is no known association with antibiotics and congenital heart disease, specifically. However, taking any medicine during pregnancy should probably be avoided if you can. We don't know everything about everything.

Question 7

how commonly is congenital heart disease genetic?

Accepted Answer

Polygenic problem: The information that codes for proper heart formation is shared by many genes on chromosomes. Genetic studies show linkage, where a person with a form of chd has a 4% chance of having a first degree relative with any form of chd as well as a 4% risk of having a child with a chd. A few rare syndromes have higher genetic risk (dominant = 50%) that sometimes have chd as part of the syndrome.

Question 8

what happens if you have poor blood circulation in the body caused by congenital heart disease?

Accepted Answer

All organs need O2: There are many types of congenital heart disease, so it is not possible to answer your specific question.  Poor heart muscle function may cause back up of fluid in the lungs or congestive heart failure.  Heart disease causing low oxygen will affect brain and kidney functioning, low exercise tolerance,  and peripherally, poor circulation in extremities makes wounds heal slowly and loss of sensation

Question 9

could you suggest treatment for congenital heart disease with atrial septial defect for a man aged 39?

Accepted Answer

Depending on size: Treatment of (ASD) is dependent on its size, whether there is  significant flow across it, and the location within the atrial septum.  If it's a significant defect then treatment is either surgical with open heart surgery, or transcatheter device closure if the defect  meets the required criteria. If it's a small defect with no right heart chamber dilatation then typically no treatment is needed.

Question 10

is having congenital heart disease something to worry about? my wife is upset since my son's doctor visit.

Accepted Answer

Congenital heart: There are many different congenital heart problems many of which require no intervention and some which the patient may grow out of. Some if they are serious enough can require surgery to repair. Ask your pediatric cardiologist which one it is>.

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Congenital heart disease lethargy

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Can you die from congenital heart disease?

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What are the tests for congenital heart disease?

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What are death rates of congenital heart disease?

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Need expert advice. what is congenital heart disease?

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Is congenital heart disease genetic?

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Which antibiotic causes congenital heart disease?

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How commonly is congenital heart disease genetic?

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What happens if you have poor blood circulation in the body caused by congenital heart disease?

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Could you suggest treatment for congenital heart disease with atrial septial defect for a man aged 39?

A member asked:

Is having congenital heart disease something to worry about? my wife is upset since my son's doctor visit.

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