One heart problem that occurs among many comes from a dysfunction from birth. The most prominent of these heart problems is the congenital heart defect. This particular problem begins when a child is born, and consists of a structural defect from the heart. This particular problem can form in several ways, relating to structural or functional problems in the arteries, valves, walls or veins in the heart area.
Definition of Congenital Heart Defect
The congenital heart defect is known as one of the most common heart problems, affecting an average of 30,000 babies each year in the United States. When a heart is functioning normally, it pumps blood to and from the heart area and into other places of the body. This is done first through an inner wall on the heart, known as a septum. This has the job of pumping blood to and from the lungs so the heart has continuous blood flow that includes oxygen. The second function comes from valves that connect to blood vessels and veins. These are known to take blood from the heart and allow it to flow to various areas of the body.
Conditions of Congenital Heart Defect
When one has a congenital heart defect, it is attributed to a structural problem in vessels, veins, valves or chambers that allow the blood to flow to and from the heart. This includes some of the following defects.
- Abnormal passages between the heart and blood vessels. This includes four types of symptoms that may occur. Two of these include a hole in the wall of the heart between the upper or lower chambers. Because of this, blood leaks into different valves. The other two types of symptoms include the inability for the valve to close or to flow at an indistinct rate throughout the heart.
- Dysfunctions with heart valves. In these instances, the valve that regulates the blood flow between the heart and the veins are unable to function at a normal level. This is attributed to a valve opening that is too narrow, the inability for the valve to form or difficulties with the valve being able to close.
- Inability for blood vessels to be placed or developed correctly. In these defects, the valves may include a hole, one of the blood vessels is crossed or there is a thickening of the blood vessels. In other instances, certain vessels may be too thin or the chamber is unable to have the correct amount of blood flow to it from the vessels.
- Development of the heart. In these instances, the heart is not developed correctly, resulting in problems such as an absent ventricle, tissue around the valves or a separation of tissues which are supposed to work together for regulated heart flow.
Even though the symptoms of congenital heart disease cause improper functioning of the heart, it usually does not have severe effects. Most children who have this do not have many difficulties, unless the heart problem becomes severe. Medications and surgery are used to help relieve this problem before it becomes complex or leads to heart failure. It is also known that women who are pregnant take preventative measures by being cautious of medications taken and by maintaining their health during pregnancy. |
