Congenital Heart Disease Specialists in Chandigarh

What is Congenital Heart Disease?

Congenital heart disease refers to structural abnormalities of the heart that are present from birth, arising from disruptions in normal heart development during pregnancy. These defects range from simple issues such as small holes between heart chambers that may close on their own, to complex malformations involving multiple structural abnormalities that require staged surgical correction. Some defects are detected before birth through prenatal ultrasound, while others are diagnosed only after birth when symptoms such as poor feeding, bluish skin discolouration, or a heart murmur become apparent. Advances in paediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery have dramatically improved survival and quality of life for children born with these conditions. Many individuals with corrected congenital heart disease go on to lead full and active lives, though lifelong cardiology follow-up is often needed.

Causes of Congenital Heart Disease

Caused by disruptions in normal heart formation during early pregnancy, often without a clearly identifiable single cause, though genetic factors and chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome are important contributors in some cases. Maternal factors during pregnancy including poorly controlled diabetes, certain infections such as rubella, exposure to specific medications, and alcohol use can increase risk. Family history of congenital heart disease also raises the likelihood of similar defects in subsequent pregnancies.

Symptoms of Congenital Heart Disease

Bluish discolouration of lips or skin, rapid or laboured breathing, poor feeding or weight gain in infants, fatigue with feeding or activity, heart murmur detected on examination, swelling in the legs, abdomen, or around the eyes, excessive sweating especially during feeding, recurrent respiratory infections

Treatment & Types of Congenital Heart Disease in Chandigarh

Treatment depends heavily on the specific defect and its severity, ranging from careful monitoring for minor defects that may resolve on their own, to catheter-based procedures or open-heart surgery for more significant structural problems. Medications may be used to manage symptoms such as fluid overload or abnormal heart rhythms before or after surgical correction. Lifelong follow-up with a cardiologist is generally recommended even after successful repair to monitor for long-term complications.

Broadly divided into cyanotic defects, such as tetralogy of Fallot and transposition of the great arteries, which cause low blood oxygen and bluish skin, and acyanotic defects, such as ventricular or atrial septal defects, which do not typically cause cyanosis. They are also grouped by complexity into simple defects that may close spontaneously, moderate defects needing one intervention, and complex defects requiring staged surgeries over childhood.

Cardiology Specialists in Chandigarh (2)

Frequently Asked Questions