Congenital heart disease

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is heart disease in the newborn, and includes structural defects, congenital arrythmias, and cardiomyopathies. CHD is a defect of the heart that exists primarily at birth, and can describe a wide variety of different abnormalities affecting the heart. CHD occurs when the heart or blood vessels near the heart does not develop properly before birth. Therefore, the heart does not pump because it is not completely developed. Also the blood flow is obstructed in the heart of the vessels nearby, causing an abnormal flow of blood through the heart. Blood flow obstructions put a strain on the heart muscle causing the heart to work harder and beat faster. Abnormal blood flow usually occurs when there is a hole in the walls of the heart and may be an abnormal connection between two arteries outside the heart.
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Causes
CHD has many diverse causes. Some factors are environmental, such as chemicals, drugs, or infection. However, the bulk of CHD is thought to be genetic in nature. Infections such as German measles (i.e. rubella) can produce CHD. Women with diabetes and phenylketonuria are at high risk for their children to be born with this disease. Other causes include the mother's excessive intake of alcohol and illegal drugs while pregnant. There are many genetic conditions which can be a factor in causing CHD, such as DiGeorge syndrome (22q11 deletion syndrome), Holt-Oram syndrome, and Alagille syndrome. Although these factors are known causes of CHD, most are currently unknown. Therefore, the causes of most cases of CHD are unknown.

Diagnosis
Mild congenital heart diseases may not be observed or occur until adulthood. The physician or provider will find this through a series of questions in an examination. Echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance(MRI) are used to confirm CHD when signs or symptoms occur in the physical examination. An echocardiograph displays images of the heart and the sound waves it makes. It also finds abnormal rhythms or defects of the heart present with CHD. Fetal echocardiography is used to diagnose CHD in utero after 20 weeks of pregnancy. An ultrasound may be used to determine the defects in pregnant women. Cardiac MRI scans and uses magnetic fields and radio waves to determine these defects but is not always necessary in dianosing CHD. A chest x-ray may also be issued to look at the anatomical position of the heart and lungs. A Cat Scan(CT) can also be used to visualize CHD. All of these tests are ways to diagnose CHD by a physician.
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