Q. What are the types of congenital heart diseases?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

Congenital heart diseases are a group of disorders that are present at birth and affect the structure and functioning of the heart. They can be caused by genetic mutations, environmental factors (such as certain medications taken during pregnancy), or both. These conditions range from mild to severe, depending on the type and extent of abnormality involved.

The most common types of congenital heart defects include:

• Atrial septal defect (ASD): An ASD is a hole between two chambers in the upper part of the heart. It’s relatively common, often not noticed until adulthood. Treatment may involve surgery or medications to reduce symptoms.

• Ventricular septal defect (VSD): A VSD is a hole between two chambers in the lower part of the heart that causes oxygen-rich blood from one chamber to mix with oxygen-poor blood from another chamber, resulting in reduced oxygen levels throughout your body and making it difficult for your body to function properly. Treatment may include surgery or medication therapy to address any related complications such as high blood pressure or arrhythmia.

• Coarctation of the aorta: Coarctation is a narrowing in an area near where your pulmonary artery branches off your main artery—the aorta—causing decreased blood pressure downstream and resulting in reduced oxygen supply throughout parts of your body including organs like kidney and intestines. This disorder can be treated with medications if mild enough; more severe cases may require open-heart surgery for repair.

• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA): PDA occurs when an opening remains between two major arteries after birth instead closing as it should–the pulmonic artery connects directly into the larger descending thoracic artery instead–which means there's increased circulation which results in excess strain on other organs including lungs leading to turbulence within them due to overcirculation causing complex health issues including breathing problems later down life line if left untreated . Surgery is typically required along with medication therapy afterwards for full recovery..

• Tetralogy of Fallot: Also known as “blue baby syndrome” because children born with this disorder have difficulty getting enough oxygenated red blood cells; usually requires multiple repairs over time through surgical interventions due its complexity involving four different issues found within their hearts-- ventricular septal defect , pulmonary stenosis , right ventricular hypertrophy , overriding aorta .

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