It's Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Day

[Iron Woode]

Here in Canada (and elsewhere) February is Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Month. The day is proclaimed on the 14th for obvious reasons.

This does apply to a small number of people and families but it is still important for others to understand what it's like living with CHD or have a family member or friend with said issue.

It's the most common type of birth defect, affecting the structure of a baby's heart and the way it works.

According to the Canadian Congenital Heart Alliance, about 1 in 80-100 Canadian children are born with CHD.

Sixty years ago, only about 20 per cent of children survived to adulthood. That number has since increased to about 90 per cent, resulting in a growing population of adults requiring life-long cardiac care.

 

[WelshBloke]

Sixty years ago, only about 20 per cent of children [with CHD] survived to adulthood.

Whenever I think things aren't as good as they used to be I remember how I don't need to live in fear of me or my loved ones dieing from a bunch of issues that are now manageable or eradicated!

 

[balloonshark]

Doctors don't even like to touch you nowadays. You should make sure they listen to your heart when you're young. My doctor heard a murmur when I was 6 months old. I had two open heart surgeries before I could get my drivers license. I was lucky to be born in the 70's when they knew how to treat such things.

 

[Iron Woode]

Doctors don't even like to touch you nowadays. You should make sure they listen to your heart when you're young. My doctor heard a murmur when I was 6 months old. I had two open heart surgeries before I could get my drivers license. I was lucky to be born in the 70's when they knew how to treat such things.

I did not know this.

I was diagnosed in 1973 with PAPVR and it was considered very rare back then. My murmur was audible into my 20's. I wish I had surgery earlier but I am happy with the way things have turned out.