Confused by terms: what is chd, coronary or congestive or congenital heart disease or defect?

Coronary: Chd usually stands for coronary heart disease. It is also known as coronary artery disease. It's when one or more arteries that supply the heart with blood are partially or completely blocked by plaque. Since the heart can't get the oxygen it needs, chd often leads to chest pain and heart attack. See http://www.Nhlbi.Nih.Gov/health/health-topics/topics/cad/ for more info.

Confusing: Adults cardiologists often use the 3-letter acronym, chd, for coronary heart disease. Pediatric cardiologists use the same for congenital heart disease. Answer depends on who is using it usually. Always ask physicians to speak in words, not letters. They should.