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:
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 RESEARCH:
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:
- CHDs 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)
