From February 7 to 14 every year is Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Week. It may surprise you to learn that congenital heart defect, or congenital heart disease, is a heart condition that is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. So CHD Awareness Week is essential for creating awareness about the disease and raising more funds for research that will save lives.
Congenital Heart Disease is a condition that affects the structure of a person’s heart. The word ‘congenital’ means that the disease is present at birth. CHD may present itself in the form of a hole in the heart or missing and deformed parts of the heart.
Prior to 1940, there was minimal progress in the treatment of the disease. It wasn’t until 1938 that Doctor Robert Edward Gross performed the first ligation of patent ductus arteriosus. After this, there were a number of positive advances in the treatment of the disease. In 1952, Doctor John F. Lewis performed the first intracardiac surgical procedure, successfully repairing an atrial septal defect. Making a huge mark in 1983, the first arterial operation was performed on an 11-day-old baby.
Researchers have not yet been able to pinpoint the cause of some forms of CHD However, certain risk factors may lead to the development of the disease. These factors include genetics and heredity, diabetes, certain medications, smoking, consuming alcohol, and having rubella while pregnant. The presence of CHD can be detected from symptoms such as arrhythmias or an irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, unusual tiredness, swelling of body tissue or organs, as well as a bluish skin tint.
Thanks to advances in modern science, CHD is no longer a death sentence as over 90% of people with the disease survive into adulthood. There are more adults living with CHD than there are children, which is a step in the right direction.
You can see how much research and scientific advances have helped in fighting CHD. Red is the color for CHD Awareness Week and for other heart-related causes. To show your support, wear anything red this week. You can also share information on social media and share widely. And finally, start a fundraiser, or support fundraisers already established. For more information about CHD and how you can help, visit the Mending Hearts website.
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