Congenital Heart Defects: 5 Kinds

There are 5 kinds of congenital heart defects that are well known. Congenital heart disease is a condition that presents itself in the form of an abnormality in the heart. The heart defects are usually discovered at birth. However, there have been cases where congenital heart disease has been diagnosed later in life. The five different types of congenital heart disease are easily diagnosed.

1. Coarctation of the aorta. This congenital heart defect causes a narrowing of the aorta. The disease prevents the proper flow of blood from flowing forward in the heart.
2. Septal defects. This is one of the five congenital heart defects that most cardiologists try to correct. The condition is very small holes in the septa and between the atria or the ventricles. Heart surgery can be performed to attempt to close the holes.
3. Tertralogy of Fallot. A condition of the heart that causes a malformation. It involves four distinct defects but only three are always present. This condition is the common cause of cyanotic heart defects; it is the common cause of blue baby syndrome.
4. Patent ductus arteriosus(PDA) is also one of the five kinds of congenital heart defects that has been discovered in patients. PDA is a duct between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. This duct is suppose to close shortly after birth, but in this case the duct remains open. This condition normally occurs in premature infants it can cause cyanosis, fatigue, and rapid breathing.
5. Atrial septral defect many children. This congenital heart defect may not have any symptoms, making it sometimes difficult to detect. This condition allows blood  to flow from the left atrium instead of the right; it is a hole that separates part of the atria.