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In some cases, these conditions may affect the heart. Some people may have severe symptoms and a short life expectancy, while others may live well into adulthood. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a heart abnormality that doctors diagnose in newborns. People with CHD may present with different symptoms depending on the type of abnormality they have. Different types of CHD require specific interventions, such as surgery. Early diagnosis and treatment may help improve survival rates and life expectancy. Keep reading to learn more about adult CHD. What is CHD in adults Share on PinterestJavier Díez/StocksyWhile doctors diagnose CHD in newborns, many people born with heart abnormalities reach the age of 60 years old. CHD is a general term that encompasses many diagnoses, and each type requires different care. While doctors can repair some abnormalities, CHD is a chronic disease that requires lifelong treatment. Older adults with CHD have different needs than younger people with the condition. For example, adults may have other diseases that complicate their heart problems, such as diabetes. Age also increases a person’s risk of developing an arrhythmia, which affects how the heart beats. How does the condition affect adults People with CHD can live into adulthood due to advances in diagnostics and treatment. Because CHD is a lifelong condition, people may have to deal with:hospitalizationsmedical emergenciesrepeat surgeries and other medical interventionsrecurring symptoms of CHDpregnancy complicationshigh blood pressurean abnormal heart rhythm, or arrhythmiaa low life expectancy compared with the general populationstrokeneurological complicationsa lifelong need for medicationsinfections of the heart liningexercise intolerancedepression Older adults may also experience a change in how they respond to certain drugs. Over time, doctors may need to adjust certain heart medications. Some people may experience symptoms that are commonly typical in older age sooner. These symptoms may includefallsbehavior changeschanges to the senses A common complication of adult CHD is heart failure, which can lead to death. Other nonheart complications that occur during adulthood include mental and emotional well-being issues. Eventually, people may also need end of life support. Types Types of heart abnormalities that occur in people with CHD include:Atrial septal defect: A hole in the wall that divides the atria of the heart.Bicuspid aortic valve: This occurs where the aortic valve has two flaps instead of the typical three.Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries: This develops where the heart twists in during fetal development.Coarctation of the aorta: This involves the narrowing of the aorta, the main artery in the body.Ebstein’s anomaly: This is where a valve in the heart cannot close properly. Eisenmenger syndrome: This condition can affect blood flow from the heart to the lungs.Pulmonary stenosis: This involves the narrowing of the pulmonary valve in the heart.Single ventricle defects and the Fontan: This rare condition occurs when the ventricle, a chamber in the heart, does not develop properly.Shone syndrome: This occurs when there are four heart abnormalities or obstructions that affect the left side of the heart.Subaortic stenosis: This occurs when blood flow from the ventricles becomes restricted.Tetralogy of Fallot: This comprises four heart abnormalities that affect blood flow through the heart.Transposition of the great arteries after arterial switch or Rastelli procedure: A complex abnormality that means the pulmonary valve and aorta become reversed.Transposition of the great arteries after Mustard/Senning repair: When two major arteries in the heart become reversed.Truncus arteriosus: This abnormality occurs when one vessel leaves the heart instead of the typical two.Ventricular septal defect (VSD): A hole in the wall that separates the ventricles of the heart. The most common type of CHD that doctors diagnose in babies is VSD. With VSD, people have a hole in the wall that separates the ventricles of the heart. In this condition, blood will flow from the left ventricle to the right ventricle and then travel to the lungs. This causes the heart and lungs to work harder than usual. Babies can have different types of VSD depending on the location and number of holes in the wall. Risk factors Risk factors for the fetal development of CHD include:certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies during pregnancydiabetes during pregnancyillnesses causing fever early in pregnancya family history of CHDsystemic lupus erythematosus in the pregnant individualprevious abortions and stillbirthsadvanced age of the biological parentsexposure to certain drugs during pregnancy What is the life expectancy for someone with CHD Today, people with CHD can age well into adulthood. With further advancements in care, people with CHD can live longer lives. However, their survival still depends on the severity of the abnormality, early diagnosis, and treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 97% of babies born with nonsevere CHD survive to 1 year of age. Additionally, the number of people with CHD is increasing because 95% of individuals with nonsevere CHD live to 18 years old. Among children born with severe CHD, 75% live to 1 year and 69% live to 18 years. Causes Experts do not know the causes of CHD. Studies suggest that environmental or genetic causes may be responsible for CHD in only 20–30% of cases. Some abnormalities occur from changes in genes or chromosomes. Environmental factors, such as the birthing parent’s diet, medications, or health conditions during pregnancy, may cause certain abnormalities. Experts have also linked smoking and certain drugs to heart disease in babies. Symptoms Since doctors have identified many different types of CHD, the symptoms depend on the type and severity of the abnormality. Some cause no symptoms. Other abnormalities may cause the following symptoms in babies:excessive sleepinesslow energy when feedingfast or difficult breathingcyanosis — a bluish tint on lighter-toned skin or lips, but this may appear gray or whitish on darker skin The most frequent symptoms of CHD in adults are exercise intolerance and heart palpitations. Adult CHD and pregnancy Experts suggest that most adults with CHD can tolerate pregnancy. Still, people with complex CHD are at a greater risk they become pregnant. Complications may arise during pregnancy, including:early laborpre-eclampsia, which involves high blood pressure during pregnancy and after laborhemorrhagepregnancy lossprematuritydeath However, due to advances in care for pregnant people with CHD, the mortality in these groups is 1% or lower. In Western countries, heart disease is the most common cause of death during pregnancy. However, CHD is a rare cause of death among pregnant individuals. About 11% of people will experience pregnancy complications because of CHD. Another consideration for pregnant people with CHD is the effect of certain medications on the fetus. Those who are pregnant should not take angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers. Additionally, pregnant people taking anticoagulants, such as warfarin (Coumadin), need special attention. Before becoming pregnant, people should consider prepregnancy counseling to ensure the safety of both the birthing parent and child. A healthcare team consisting of a CHD specialist, an obstetrician, and an anesthesiologist can help create an appropriate care plan. Diagnosis Some tests doctors perform to diagnose and evaluate CHD include:auscultation of the heart, which involves listening to the organ’s soundsblood pressure monitoringEKGspulse oximetrychest X-ray and other medical imaging Management Many people living with CHD may still experience symptoms even if doctors repair their abnormalities. Over time, complications of CHD may occur, such as:arrhythmiaheart infectionsweakness of the heart muscle, or cardiomyopathy To manage CHD in adulthood, people need to routinely consult a CHD specialist for checkups. Some people may also need additional surgeries. Summary Babies born with CHD are now living longer and reaching adulthood. This presents new challenges for CHD specialists since adults, especially older adults, may have other medical problems that increase the risk of complications. For example, people with CHD typically tolerate pregnancy well but also require a team of specialists to prevent complications. Managing CHD in adults depends on the type of abnormality and may require a combination of medications, medical interventions, and additional surgery. Last medically reviewed on September 29, 2022Heart Disease 9 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Abqari, S., et al. (2016). Profile and risk factors for congenital heart defects: A study in a tertiary care hospital.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5007929/Baumgartner, H., et al. (2021). 2020 ESC guidelines for the management of adult congenital heart disease: The task force for the management of adult congenital heart disease of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Endorsed by: Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology (AEPC), International Society for Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ISACHD).https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/6/563/5898606Facts about ventricular septal defect. (2022).https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/heartdefects/ventricularseptaldefect.htmlData and statistics on congenital heart defects. (2022).https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/heartdefects/data.htmlPierpont, M. E., et al. (2018). Genetic basis for congenital heart disease: Revisited.https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000606Regitz-Zagrosek, V., et al. (2018). 2018 ESC guidelines for the management of cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy: The task force for the management of cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/39/34/3165/5078465Types of heart defects. (n.d.).https://www.achaheart.org/your-heart/educational-qas/types-of-heart-defects/Wang, T., et al. (2019). Congenital heart disease and risk of cardiovascular disease: A meta‐analysis of cohort studies.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6585327/What are congenital heart defects? (2022).https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/heartdefects/facts.htmlFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Uzochukwu Ibe, MD, MPH — By Jessica Caporuscio, Pharm.D. on September 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? 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