Congenital heart problems are defects in the heart’s structure present at birth. The structure defects can involve:
- The walls of the heart
- The valves in the heart
- The blood vessels carrying blood to or from the heart.
Symptoms of congenital heart disease vary depending upon the type of heart defect. Heart defects range from simple to very complex. Some simple defects need no treatment and may not be identified until later in life.
Many congenital heart defects are identified and treated early in life. With advancements in pediatric heart surgery, people with complex congenital heart disease live active, productive lives well into adulthood. People with known congenital heart disorders benefit by having routine follow up with a cardiologist.