A DAY FOR HEARTS : Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Day, February 14th

CHD Awareness Day

A DAY FOR HEARTS gives our vibrant networked online community the chance to take on a humane cause:

Promoting Awareness of Congenital Heart Defects.

Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) are a lethal constellation of birth defects of the heart that affect millions of newborn infants and children worldwide; a killer that claims thousands of lives every year.

Eight of every 1000 children born alive (0.8%) will have some form of congenital heart defect.

On this special day, February 14th, A DAY FOR HEARTS, a concerted global effort is being made to heighten awareness of this deadly group of diseases.

We support this event by offering information, resources and support to those whose lives have been touched by Congenital Heart Defects.

Introducing CHD

Congenital Heart Defects cause one or more portions of the heart to develop abnormally. Absent, narrow or leaky heart valves and blood vessels, holes in the walls between chambers, transposed arteries and under-development or total absence of one or more components are all possible.

More about congenital heart defects...

CHD Symptoms

* Cyanosis: a bluish hue
* Heart Failure: breathless, sweaty, irritable child
* Heart Murmur: on medical exam
* Arrhythmias: rhythm problems
* Rarely none !

CHD : The Facts

* Occurs in 8 of every 1,000 live births
* About 3,00,000 Indians born with CHD each year
* 32,000 babies with CHD every year in the U.S. alone
* Atleast 35 distinct forms recognized
* Mortality from CHD is decreasing
* But CHD incidence has not declined.

What ? Learn About CHD

CHD : An Overview
Dr.Mani, a congenital heart surgeon, gives you a bird's eye view of the problem of Congenital Heart Disease.

CHD Awareness Day
A look at the background behind "A Day For Hearts" and the people responsible for this grand event.

The Types of CHD
A categorized listing of the different kinds of CHD with links to explanatory articles on each.

Operations for CHD
A list of informative resources on the various kinds of surgical procedures performed for birth defects of the heart.

Why ? Causes of CHD

What's responsible for CHD?
Let's look at the factors that might be responsible for congenital heart defects, in this short essay on causes of congenital heart defects.

Have a Heart: If you're pregnant, don't drink
Many of the symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome are irreversible and can cause a lifetime of suffering for the victims. Take the advice of Buddy T - To be on the safe side, if you are pregnant, don't drink.

Early CHD Detection
Fetal echocardiography has revolutionized CHD diagnosis, allowing early and accurate detection of heart defects inside the womb.

Help ! Support for CHD

CHD Support Groups
CHD affects not only patients, but entire families. Along the winding, tortuous road ahead, with major surgery and continuing medical care looming, most families need a helping hand, a friendly shoulder to cry on and peers they can count on for support and encouragement in difficult times.

Here is a list of some wonderful CHD support resources to find such assistance.

Caregivers' Hearts Need Special Care Too
When a child is born with a heart defect, parents may feel many deep emotions including grief, shock, denial, guilt, anger, despair or confusion.

Here are some resources to help heal the broken hearts of those who care for CHD children, from expert Nancy Schimelpfening.

Specific Types of CHD

Atrial Septal Defect

Ventricular Septal Defect

Aortic Coarctation

Double Outlet RV

Pulmonary Stenosis

Hypoplastic Left Heart

MORE ABOUT CHD: