Congenital heart disease results when the human heart has congenital malformations that occur during the pregnancy period. During the time of birth, the malformations are evident. On the other hand, congenital heart failure is a condition of the heart in which the heart pumps inadequate blood to meet the demands of the body as a result of congenital malformations.

Risk Factors and Causes of Congenital Heart Disease

1. Due to the genetic link of the disease, the people who were born from families with a history of this disease are likely to have it during their early days of development in the uterus.

Medications and chemicals. Pregnant mothers who are exposed to chemicals are likely to give birth to children with this kind of the disease. On the same line, use of drugs like thalidomide by pregnant mothers predispose the unborn babies to congenital heart diseases.

1. Serious infections during the pregnancy period can make an unborn child to congenital abnormalities of which the heart can have an effect. An example of infections that can do that is rubella viral infection.

Unhealthy life habits. Excessive intake of alcohol in addition to smoking by pregnant mothers can be very risk to the pre-born child. The child can easily develop congenital heart diseases.

Types of Congenital Heart Defects

Atrioventricular septal defects.that results in the presence of openings, which can persist even beyond the time of birth. The holes can result in communication between the chambers making the heart unable to pump blood normally, hence congenital heart disease. Such an occurrence can lead to heart failure, which is called congenital heart failure.

Valvular defects. Heart valves can also be malformed. The malformation can lead to valvular stenosis or closure. That can interfere the normal flow of blood, hence congenital heart disease that leads to heart failure, if not treated when it’s severe.

Cardiovascular abnormalities. Any malformation of the heart muscle impairs the heart’s function. Heart failure can then be a consequence.

Prevention of Congenital Heart Disease

Although the treatment of the disease by surgical and pharmacological measures can lead to recovery, it is better to prevent the disease. Prevention aims at avoiding the risk factors. That involves eating a healthy diet, avoiding drugs and medications that are risky for the unborn child and avoiding factors that can expose someone to bad chemicals. Treatment of the underlying disease and infections early in time is very important to prevent their impact to the child in the uterus. In the case of an already case, then treatment should be done early enough to prevent the complication of the disease, which can lead to a heart failure and so forth.