Causes
As earlier discussed, the heart id divided into four chambers, two on the right and two on the left. Each pair consists of an atria and a ventricle. Blood flows through these four chambers separately, meaning it does not mix between the chambers. The right side of the heart moves blood to the lungs through the lung (pulmonary) arteries. In the lungs, blood picks up oxygen then returns to the heart’s left side through the pulmonary veins. The left side of the heart then pumps the blood through the body’s main artery (aorta) and out to the rest of the body.
So how do congenital heart defects develop? Well, during pregnancy, as early of as in the 6th week of embryo development, if the heard development is affected, these heard defects may as a consequence begin to form. Some types were described above, there are more. We shall provide more resources as we go along.
Risk factors
The exact cause of most CHD in unknown, but some risk factors have been identified. These include Diabetes, German measles (Rubella), drinking alcohol during pregnancy, smoking, certain medications like some acne medications, some cholesterol medications and some epilepsy drugs. Certain genetic abnormalities like Down Syndrome increases ones’ risk of developing a CHD
Complications
CHD may include congestive heart failure, stroke, mental health disorders like anxiety and stress, developmental delays, irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and heart infections like endocarditis.