What are the common consequences of congenital heart defects?

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are structural problems with the heart that are present at birth and can significantly impact normal heart function and overall health. The most common consequences of these defects often include hypoxemia and heart failure.

Hypoxemia, which is a deficiency in the amount of oxygen in the blood, can occur due to abnormal blood flow patterns resulting from the defects. When the heart's structure is altered, it can lead to reduced oxygenation of blood, as oxygenated and deoxygenated blood may mix inappropriately or as blood flow to the lungs may be hindered. This lack of adequate oxygen supply can result in various symptoms, including cyanosis, difficulty breathing, and fatigue.

Heart failure is another frequent complication associated with congenital heart defects. This condition arises when the heart is unable to pump effectively, which can be due to volume overload or pressure overload caused by the defects. The heart may struggle to supply the body with sufficient blood flow, leading to symptoms such as poor growth, exercise intolerance, and fluid retention.

In contrast, while cardiac arrest and stroke are serious conditions that can potentially occur as a result of other health complications associated with CHDs, they are not the primary consequences directly related to the structural heart defects themselves