Adult congenital heart disease is generally caused due to abnormal developments in the heart’s structure. Usually, it arises in the early stages of pregnancy (first six weeks). Some of the most common causes of congenital heart disease are:

• Genetic conditions (Down syndrome, Turner syndrome and Noonan syndrome)
• Smoking and use of alcohol during pregnancy
• Use of unprescribed medicines
• Diabetes

Congenital heart disease shows no indicative symptoms—although some may experience signs later in their life. Here are a few common signs associated with adult congenital heart disease that you should be on the lookout for:

• Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
• Bluish tint to the skin, lips and fingernails (cyanosis)
• Shortness of breath
• Tiredness
• Swelling of body tissue or organs (edema)

Exertion or working out requires your heart to function over time, supplying sufficient oxygen to all parts of your body. But people with adult congenital heart defects often feel tired and experience shortness of breath due to the under-developed structure of their heart. Without taking breaks frequently, it cannot function properly to sustain all the body movements.

Usually, most congenital heart defects are diagnosed during pregnancy. In a routine ultrasound session, gynaecologists can suspect an under-developed heart structure and refer to extra tests for the same. In some rare cases, it is diagnosed after a baby’s birth if the newborn shows any signs of heart defects, such as a blue hue on the skin, lips and fingernails.

No, congenital heart disease cannot be cured by any type of medication or surgery. Although surgery can repair the heart’s structure, the defect remains incurable. You may experience some long-term effects of the surgery. Consult an expert cardiologist who can detect abnormal heartbeats even before you see any visible symptoms.

Congenital heart disease is often treatable during childhood. However, the treatment of adult congenital heart disease is quite complex and depends upon the severity and needs routine check-ups and prescribed medications to control blood clots and arrhythmic heartbeats. Even heart surgeries and procedures, including heart transplants and open-heart surgery, helps in treating adult congenital heart disease.

Several congenital heart diseases commonly occur in adults, including congenital valve defects and Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR). Here are some of the common adult congenital heart defects:

• Pulmonary hypertension
• Patent foramen ovale (PFO)
• Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
• Coarctation of the aorta
• Ebstein anomaly

No, surgeries of any type cannot cure congenital heart disease. This condition is incurable. However, you can opt for surgery or invasive procedures after consulting your doctor if it helps to improve the symptoms. You would still need to monitor and go for regular check-ups after the surgery to avoid/prevent infection to your heart.

The usual time required to conduct adult congenital heart surgery is between three to six hours, but it varies depending on the patient’s condition and its severity. As different congenital heart diseases (such as Pulmonary hypertension, Patent foramen ovale (PFO), Ventricular septal defect (VSD) and more) have different levels of seriousness, their surgery time would vary respectively.

As congenital heart disease develops during the early stage of pregnancy in the foetus, there are high chances of several medicines contributing to the condition. Certain types of anti-seizure prescriptions, acne medications and painkillers (ibuprofen) usually increase the risk of congenital heart disease. But always listen to your doctor on cases like these.

Congenital heart disease occurs when something disrupts the heart’s development during the early stage of foetus formation (usually six weeks). Certain genetics and environmental factors are the leading cause of congenital heart failure:

• Hereditary or genes
• Consumption of alcohol or smoking during pregnancy
• Diabetes (type 1 or 2)
• Certain prescriptions
• German measles or Rubella