What are congenital heart defects?

Congenital heart defects are problems with how a baby's heart forms. "Congenital" means that the heart problem has been present since birth.

There are many different types of congenital heart defects. They can be fairly simple, such as a hole between the chambers of the heart or a heart valve that has not formed right. Others are more serious and complex, such as a missing heart valve or heart chamber.

Most congenital heart defects affect how blood flows through the heart or through the blood vessels near the heart. Some defects may cause blood to flow in a pattern that isn't normal. Others can completely or partially block blood flow.

Some defects are discovered in the fetus during pregnancy. Others aren't found until birth. Still others may not be discovered until a child gets older or even until he or she is an adult.