C ONGENITAL H EART D EFECTS By: Victoria Lund

W HAT ARE CONGENITAL H EART DEFECTS ? They are problems with the heart that are present at birth. They affect the flow of blood through the heart. Defects can range from no symptoms to life threatening

TYPES Holes in the heart (septal defects) Atrial Septal Defect Little to no symptoms Heals on it’s own, or with a catheter Ventricular Septal Defect Small VSD’s have no problems and heal on their own Larger VSD’s can cause the left ventricle to work too hard and may result in heart failure. Open heart surgery is used to repair.

TYPES Narrowed Valves Stenosis Pulmonary Valve Stenosis is most common. May cause Heart Murmur Flaps of the valve thicken, and the valve cannot fully open Atresia Valve lacks a hole for blood to pass through Regurgitation Valve does not close completely

TYPES Complex Congenital Heart Defect Repaired with surgery Most common is Tetralogy of Fallot, a combination of four defects A large VSD Pulmonary Valve Stenosis Overriding aorta Aorta is over left and right ventricle, causing oxygen poor blood to flow into the aorta Right Ventricular Hypertrophy Muscle of right ventricle is thicker

CAUSES Heredity Genetic Disorders Down Syndrome Smoking during pregnancy

SYMPTOMS Rapid breathing Cyanosis (a bluish tint to the skin, lips, and fingernails) Fatigue (tiredness) Poor blood circulation