Services & Procedures

Congenital Heart Disease Treatment in Newton, NJ

What is Congenital Heart Disease?

Congenital means present at birth. Congenital heart disease includes a range of structural and functional heart abnormalities present since birth. It is also called CHD, and conditions can affect the way the heart works.

At Sussex Cardiology, we specialize in compassionate and advanced congenital heart disease treatment. Request an appointment at our cardiology clinic in Newton, NJ by filling out our secure form.

What are the Causes of Congenital Heart Disease?

The cause of congenital heart disease is unknown, however, often changes in a baby’s genes cause a heart defect. The changed genes may come from the parents, or the changes may happen during pregnancy.

A congenital heart defect is one of the most common types of birth defects, and it cannot be cured. Talk with your doctor if you are pregnant to avoid certain medications or lifestyle choices that may impact your baby and increase the risk of congenital heart disease.

What are the Symptoms of Congenital Heart Disease?

Advances in medical science have made it possible for individuals with CHD to lead fulfilling lives.

CHDs can affect:

How blood flows through the heart
How blood flows out to the rest of the body
The walls of the heart
Heart valves
Blood vessels
Heart chambers

Heart defects can affect blood flow, causing your baby’s blood to:

Slow down
Go in the wrong direction or to the wrong place
Be blocked
Not having enough oxygen to carry throughout the body

Your baby may show signs of:

Weak pulse
A heart murmur
Blue-tinted nails or lips
Fast or troubled breathing
Tiredness when feeding
Sleepiness
No signs or symptoms at all

What are the Types of Congenital Heart Disease?

There are several types of congenital heart disease, ranging from mild (such as a small hole in the heart) to severe (such as missing or poorly formed parts of the heart).

Prior to the birth of your baby and after birth, your provider will look closely at the heart for early warning signs.

There are a number of things that may impact your baby’s heart.

Types of congenital heart disease or defects include:

Atrial septal defect – a hole in the wall between the heart’s upper chambers
Ventricular septal defect – a hole in the wall between the heart’s lower chambers
Patent ductus arteriosus – failure of a fetal blood vessel to close after birth
Pulmonary stenosis – narrowing of the pulmonary valve
Tetralogy of Fallot – a combination of four heart defects that affect oxygen-rich blood flow
Other critical congenital heart defects

If you have questions about any of these conditions, talk to our experienced cardiologists. Our specialists are highly trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of CHDs.

How is Congenital Heart Disease Diagnosed?

Early diagnosis of congenital heart disease is essential to the well-being of your baby.

Diagnosis typically involves a combination of:

Physical exams
Imaging tests – echocardiogram, MRI, CT scan
Cardiac catheterization to check for blockages in the arteries leading to the heart

Congenital heart disease can be found:

During pregnancy – Some CHDs may be diagnosed during pregnancy. This is done using a special type of ultrasound called a fetal echocardiogram, which creates ultrasound pictures of the heart of the developing baby.
Detected until after birth -If a healthcare provider suspects a CHD may be present, the baby can get several tests (such as an echocardiogram) to confirm the diagnosis.
Detected later in life, during childhood or adulthood – sometimes signs or symptoms of congenital heart disease aren’t noticed until adulthood like irregular heart rhythms.

How is Congenital Heart Disease Treated

Early diagnosis is essential for effective management of CHD.

Treatment options for CHD may include:

Medications – Some CHD cases can be managed with medications that help control symptoms and improve heart function.
Surgery – Many CHD defects require surgical intervention to repair or correct the structural abnormalities. This can range from minimally invasive procedures to open-heart surgery.
Catheter Procedures – Some CHD defects can be treated using cardiac catheterization, a less invasive procedure that involves threading a thin tube through blood vessels to the heart.
Heart Transplant – In severe cases where the heart is irreparably damaged, a heart transplant may be necessary.

Schedule your Consultation in Newton, NJ

Our experienced cardiologists in Newton, NJ, are ready to provide personalized care and expert guidance. Schedule an appointment at our cardiology clinic in Newton, NJ by calling (973) 579-2100.