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Let the madness begin!



February kicks off what is considered HEART AWARENESS MONTH. 
This week is extra special to me and the HEARTLAND because it allows us to honor those who live with or have lost their life to a (CHD) congenital heart defect. 

Today as we kick off the week I want to give you some facts about congenital heart defects. 

What is a CHD?
Congenital heart defects (CHD) are conditions that are present at birth and can affect the structure of a baby’s heart and the way it works. They can affect how blood flows through the heart and out to the rest of the body. Congenital heart defects can vary from mild (such as a small hole between the chambers of the heart) to severe (such as missing or poorly formed portions of the heart).

Mason drew the severe CHD card and is missing his entire left ventricle. The name of his CHD is Hypoplastic Left Heart. 

The signs and symptoms for a CHD depend on the type and severity. Some defects unfortuntetly have few signs or no signs, while other defects create signs in children such as bluish tinted nails or lips, fast or troubled breathing, the child might tire easily when feeding or they tend to be not as active and very sleepy. 



DID YOU ALSO KNOW - Congenital heart defects are:
  • The most common type of birth defects
  • The leading cause of infant deaths
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