Congenital heart disease is a type of defect in one or more structures of the heart or blood vessels that occur before birth.
- Congenital heart defects occur while the fetus is developing in the uterus.
- They affect 8 to 10 out of every 1,000 children. Congenital heart defects may produce symptoms at birth, during childhood and sometimes not until adulthood.
- About 500,000 adults in the United States have grown into adulthood with congenital heart disease. This number increases by about 20,000 each year.
The most common congenital heart disorders affecting adults are:
Symptoms of Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital heart defects may be diagnosed before birth, right after birth, during childhood or not until adulthood. It is possible to have a defect and no symptoms at all. In adults, if symptoms of congenital heart disease are present, they may include:
- shortness of breath
- poor exercise tolerance
Diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital heart disease is diagnosed by a murmur on a physical exam and several diagnostic tests:
Treatment of Congenital Heart Disease
Treatment is based on the severity of the congenital heart disease. Some mild heart defects do not require any treatment. Others can be treated with medications, invasive procedures or surgery. Most adults with congenital heart disease should be monitored by a heart specialist and take precautions to prevent endocarditis (an infection of the heart) throughout their life. Those with congenital heart disease are at risk for getting endocarditis, even if the heart was repaired or replaced through surgery. To protect yourself
- Tell all doctors and dentists you have congenital heart disease. You may want to carry a card with this information. Call your doctor if you have symptoms of an infection (sore throat, general body achiness, fever). Colds and flus do not cause endocarditis. But infections, which may have the same symptoms, do. So, to be safe, call your doctor. Take good care of your teeth and gums to prevent infections. See your dentist for regular visits.
- Take antibiotics according to the American Heart Association guidelines before you undergo any procedure that may cause bleeding:
- any dental work (even a basic teeth cleaning)
- invasive tests
- most major or minor surgery
Check with your doctor about the type and amount of antibiotics that you should take.
Congenital Heart Disease in Children
Other congenital disorders diagnosed and treated early in infancy include:
- Patent ductus arteriosus Tetralogy of Fallot Transposition of the great vessels
- Coarctation of the Aorta
Children and adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) should be treated by cardiologist who specializes in congenital heart disease. Some types of congenital heart disease may require a team approach as the child grows into an adult. The Cleveland Clinic Foundation has a specialized team of pediatricians and cardiologists who specialize in congenital heart disease.
Learn more about Healthy Hearts: Pediatric and Congenital Heart Diseases
How to find a doctor if you have adult congenital heart disease
Doctors vary in quality due to differences in training and experience; hospitals differ in the number of services available. The more complex your medical problem, the greater these differences in quality become and the more they matter.
Clearly, the doctor and hospital that you choose for complex, specialized medical care will have a direct impact on how well you do. To help you make this choice, read more about our Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute outcomes. See: About Us to learn more about the Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute at Cleveland Clinic.
For younger patients:
For more information:
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If you need more information, contact us, chat online with a nurse or call the Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute Resource & Information Nurse at 216.445.9288 or toll-free at 866.289.6911. We would be happy to help you.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition.
