CHD Info

Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) are the number one birth defect in the United States. They include structural defects, congenital arrythmias and cardiomyopathies. Congenital Heart Defects is a defect of the heart that exists primarily at birth, and can describe a wide variety of different abnormalities affecting the heart. Congenital Heart Defects 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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