A congenital heart defect is a defect of the heart that is found at birth. The abnormality may occur in the wall, a valve, or the blood vessels in or around the heart. Sometimes, this change in structure affects the circulation and requires a surgical procedure. It is important to learn more about your condition from your cardiologist and find an adult primary care provider who will recognize any new problems early. Your cardiologist may recommend an adult congenital heart disease specialist.
Some people don't notice the signs or symptoms of congenital heart disease until later in life. Symptoms of this condition can include irregular heartbeats, shortness of breath, lethargy, and abnormal swelling of the body. If you have experienced any of the signs above, we recommend contacting your CHRISTUS cardiologist to schedule an appointment.
Your heart condition may require you to take medications, keep a healthy diet, and see your doctor regularly for monitoring. You should discuss exercise and other physical limitations with your cardiologist.
You should:
Be sure to check with your current cardiologist about which symptoms you should be most concerned about and be able to describe your diagnosis and symptoms to your new cardiologist.
