When someone you love is diagnosed with a congenital heart defect so many questions run through your mind, such as:


WHAT IS A CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT: 


Congenital heart defects are problems with the heart's structure that are present at birth.  These defects can involve:

• The interior walls of the hearts.
• The valves inside the heart.
• The arteries and veins that carry blood to the heart or the body.

WHAT CAUSES CHD'S:

Doctors are not sure what causes congenital heart defects.  However, factors such as heredity an genetic disorders may increase the risk. (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute). 



 IMPORTANT CHD FACTS:

• CHD'S affect about 1% of newborns (1 in 100).
• Over 40,000 babies are born with heart defects in the United States every year.
• Congenital heart defects are the #1 type of birth defect.
• Each year worldwide 100,000 babies (under one year old) will not live to celebrate their first birthday.

CHD RESEARCH:

• Of every dollar the government spends on medical funding only a fraction of a penny is directed toward Congenital Heart Defect research.
• The American Heart Association directs only $0.30 of every dollar donated toward research. The remainder goes toward administration, education and fundraising efforts. Of the $0.30 that goes toward research only $0.01 goes toward pediatric cardiology for CHD.
• Though research is ongoing, at least 35 defects have now been identified. (It'sMyHeart.org)

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