What it is
Many are found on pregnancy scans or soon after birth. Some are only found later in childhood or adulthood.
Thanks to treatment, most children with congenital heart disease now grow into adults. Many need lifelong follow-up with a specialist adult congenital heart team.
Common signs
- A heart murmur heard by a doctor
- Fast breathing or breathlessness
- Blue-tinged skin or lips
- Poor feeding and weight gain in babies
- Tiredness
How it is usually diagnosed
- Pregnancy scan (fetal echocardiogram)
- Echocardiogram after birth
- ECG
- Cardiac MRI or CT
- Pulse oximetry screening in newborns
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Echocardiogram reports over time
- Operation and procedure notes
- Cardiology letters
- Advice about dental care and infection risk
- Pregnancy advice letters for adults
Questions to ask your doctor
- What exactly is the heart condition?
- Will there be further operations?
- Are there activities to avoid, and what about pregnancy later?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Blue lips, severe breathlessness, fainting or chest pain: call 112
- A baby who is not feeding, very sleepy or breathing fast
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.