Ask a 'Congenital Heart Diseases Specialist' Online

Heart abnormalities present at birth is called congenital heart problems. The problem can either be with the heart walls, heart valves or blood vessels. The types of congenital heart problems are atrial septal defect (ASD), atrioventricular canal defect, congenital mitral valve anomalies, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), patent foramen ovale, tetralogy of Fallot, ventricular septal defect (VSD), etc. The symptoms include arrhythmias, bluish discoloration of the skin, lips, and fingernail, shortness of breath, and edema. Even after treatment, these congenital problems might cause abnormal heart rhythms, endocarditis, stroke, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and heart valve problems later in life.