What causes congenital heart disease?
The most common type of birth defect, congenital heart disease, occurs when a baby’s heart doesn’t develop properly during pregnancy. Doctors don’t always know why some babies’ hearts form defects, although genetic changes, some of which can pass from parent to child, may contribute.
Treatment for congenital heart disease
No two cases of congenital heart disease are alike. Your heart and vascular team will create a treatment plan just for you.
If you have a mild form of congenital heart disease, you may not need treatment. Instead, your cardiologist may recommend regular checkups to ensure your heart functions well and symptoms aren’t affecting your quality of life.
No matter what your treatment plan entails, it’s important to follow it closely. Take your medications as prescribed and don’t stop or start medicine without talking to your physician. Keep all checkup appointments so your healthcare provider can track how your treatment plan is working. Make healthy lifestyle changes to help protect your heart and complement your treatment. Finally, if you notice any new or worsening symptoms, tell your physician right away so you can work together to address them.