Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) Treatment at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Kurla

Congenital heart disease means a problem in the structure of the heart that is present from birth. It can affect the chambers, valves, the wall between them, or the major blood vessels. Some defects are small openings that close on their own, while others are complex and need surgery in stages. CritiCare Asia Hospitals is a heart hospital in Mumbai that cares for patients of every age, from newborns to adults living with a defect that was never repaired or was repaired earlier. Our team offers congenital heart disease treatment in Kurla, Mumbai through scans before birth, children's heart care and planned procedures, with each step explained in simple words.

Symptoms: Infancy Through Adulthood

In newborns and young children, watch for:

A bluish colour of the lips or fingertips
Fast or laboured breathing
Poor feeding, or sweating during feeds
Slow weight gain

Milder defects can go unnoticed for decades. When CHD is first found in an adult, it is called Grown-Up Congenital Heart Disease (GUCH). It often shows up as breathlessness on effort, palpitations (a racing or pounding heartbeat), or tiredness that is more than expected for the person's age and fitness. The best cardiologist in Kurla, Mumbai at CritiCare Asia Hospitals can assess these signs at any age.

Access, Costs and Clarity for Families

CHD care continues over many years, from childhood check-ups to adult follow-up. Being close by helps families attend regular visits without a long journey, which is especially useful when children are involved. Before any test or procedure, our team explains the plan, the likely hospital stay, and which costs insurance or cashless facilities may cover. Parents and patients should know this in advance, and a clear explanation at the start avoids confusion later.

What Congenital Heart Disease Means

CHD develops during the first eight weeks of pregnancy, when the heart's chambers, valves and vessels are forming. A disturbance at this stage, whether genetic, environmental or unexplained, can leave a hole in the wall between chambers, a narrowed valve, or a vessel connected in the wrong order. Severity varies widely. Some defects never cause symptoms, while others affect circulation from the moment of birth.

Common Types of Congenital Heart Disease

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
an opening between the upper chambers
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
an opening between the lower chambers
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
a blood vessel from fetal life that fails to close after birth
Tetralogy of Fallot
a combination of four defects that reduces oxygen reaching the body
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
an aortic valve with two flaps instead of three, which may narrow or leak over time

Fetal Cardiology and Prenatal Detection

Many defects can be found before birth through fetal echocardiography, a scan of the baby's heart. It is usually done between the 18th and 24th week of pregnancy for mothers at higher risk, such as those with a family history, maternal diabetes, or an unusual finding on a routine anomaly scan. Early detection lets delivery be planned at a centre ready for newborn heart care. Our cardiac specialists in Kurla, Mumbai guide families through this planning.

Diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease

Echocardiography
shows the structure of chambers and valves
Cardiac MRI or CT
gives detailed anatomical maps, particularly for complex defects
Cardiac catheterisation
measures pressure and oxygen levels inside the heart
ECG and pulse oximetry
supporting baseline checks of rhythm and blood oxygen

Why Timing Matters

Some defects are corrected in infancy because delay may cause lasting strain on the heart or lungs, and Tetralogy of Fallot is a typical example. Small septal defects with little effect on circulation are often watched into later childhood or adulthood, since treatment has its own risks and many close on their own. Timing depends on the type of defect, how symptoms progress, and repeat imaging, not on age alone.

Life After Congenital Heart Surgery

Most children with a corrected defect grow up, attend school, and play sports with few restrictions, guided by the cardiologist's view of heart function. Long-term follow-up remains standard, since some repairs, especially for complex defects, can lead to rhythm disturbances or valve changes later in life. This is why continuity through our cardiac rehabilitation and electrophysiology services matters even years after surgery. Women with CHD who are planning pregnancy should have a preconception cardiac evaluation, as pregnancy places extra load on the heart.

Treatment Options for Congenital Heart Disease

Not every diagnosis needs intervention. Small ASDs or VSDs are often followed with periodic echocardiograms, and closure is considered only if the defect begins to affect heart size or function. When treatment is needed, there are two routes:

Catheter-based device closure: used for suitable ASD, VSD, and PDA cases, without open-heart surgery
Open-heart surgical correction: reserved for structurally complex defects such as Tetralogy of Fallot

The choice depends on the defect's shape and size and the patient's age at diagnosis. Our best cardiac surgeons in Kurla, Mumbai manage surgery in infants, children and adults.