Congenital Heart Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Congenital Heart Disease?
A pediatric cardiologist, a heart doctor for babies and children, usually treats congenital heart disease. Adults with it see a cardiologist who is trained in this field. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is congenital heart disease?
Congenital heart disease means a problem with the structure of the heart that is present at birth. These defects happen when a baby's heart does not develop normally during pregnancy. Heart defects are the most common type of birth defect.
Defects can change how blood flows through the heart. They can range from mild, such as a small hole in the heart, to severe, such as missing parts of the heart.
Symptoms
Signs depend on the type and how serious the defect is. Some defects cause few or no signs. A baby may have these signs:
- Blue-tinted nails or lips.
- Fast or troubled breathing.
- Tiredness when feeding.
- Sleepiness.
Milder defects may not show up until childhood or adulthood.
Causes and who gets it
Researchers often do not know what causes a heart defect. Sometimes changes in a baby's genes cause it. The changed genes may come from the parents, or the changes may happen during pregnancy.
Some things may raise the chance of a heart defect in a baby:
- Diabetes before pregnancy, or diabetes that starts in the first 3 months of pregnancy.
- Rubella, also called German measles, during pregnancy.
- Smoking during pregnancy.
- Some medicines taken during pregnancy.
How doctors diagnose it
Some heart defects are found during pregnancy with a special ultrasound called a fetal echocardiogram. Other defects are not found until birth, or later in childhood or adulthood.
After birth, a simple bedside test called pulse oximetry estimates the amount of oxygen in a baby's blood. Low oxygen levels can be a sign of a critical heart defect.
If a doctor suspects a defect, the baby can get several tests to confirm it, such as an echocardiogram, a type of heart ultrasound.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the defect. Most simple defects get better over time and need no treatment. Critical defects often need treatment.
One defect, called patent ductus arteriosus, usually goes away on its own, but medicine is sometimes needed to close it in premature babies. Some defects can be treated with cardiac catheterization instead of surgery. In cardiac catheterization, a long tube is threaded through the blood vessels into the heart. The doctor can use it to take measurements and pictures, do tests, or repair the problem. Risks of this procedure include bleeding, infection, and pain where the tube went in, and damage to blood vessels.
Some children need one or more surgeries to repair the heart or blood vessels. Even after repair, some people are not cured and need follow-up care.
When to see a doctor
Tiredness when feeding and unusual sleepiness can be signs of a heart defect in a baby, so see a doctor if you notice them. People with a heart defect need routine checkups with a cardiologist, a heart doctor.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if a baby or child has blue-tinted or grey skin, lips, or nails, fast or troubled breathing, or unconsciousness. Do the same if an adult has trouble breathing, chest pain, or fainting.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can help your family keep track of checkups and follow-up visits. They can also coordinate care with the heart specialists.
Common questions
Is congenital heart disease common?
Yes, it is the most common type of birth defect. In the United States, heart defects affect nearly 1% of births each year.
Do all heart defects need surgery?
No, not all of them do. Most simple heart defects get better over time and need no treatment. Critical defects often need treatment.
Are people with heart defects living longer now?
Yes. Many people with heart defects are living longer and healthier lives as medical care has improved. They still need routine checkups with a heart doctor.
Can congenital heart disease be prevented?
Not always. In many cases researchers do not know the cause. Carefully controlling blood sugar before and during pregnancy can lower a baby's risk.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Congenital Heart Defects
- CDC - About Congenital Heart Defects
- NHLBI - Congenital Heart Defects Treatment
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
