What is CHD?

Congenital Heart Disease, often called CHD, is a term used to describe a variety of heart conditions that are present at birth. These conditions affect the structure of a baby’s heart and the way blood flows through it.

CHD is the most common birth defect, affecting nearly 1 in every 100 babies born each year. Some heart defects are mild and may not require treatment, while others are complex and require surgeries, medications, and lifelong medical care.

A baby’s heart begins developing very early during pregnancy. When a congenital heart defect occurs, parts of the heart may not form correctly. This can affect the heart’s walls, valves, blood vessels, or the way oxygen-rich blood flows through the body.

There are many different types of congenital heart defects. Some examples include holes in the heart, narrowed blood vessels, valve problems, or more complex conditions where multiple parts of the heart are affected.

For many families, a CHD diagnosis can come as a surprise. Some babies are diagnosed during pregnancy through ultrasound scans, while others may be diagnosed after birth when doctors notice symptoms such as difficulty breathing, poor feeding, bluish skin tone, or fatigue.

Thanks to medical advancements, many children with congenital heart disease are able to live longer and healthier lives than ever before. However, CHD is often a lifelong condition that requires ongoing care from specialized doctors.

At Opal’s Workshop of Love Project, congenital heart disease awareness is deeply personal to us. Our daughter, Opal May, was born with a severe and complex congenital heart condition. Her journey inspired our mission to bring comfort, compassion, and support to children and families facing medical challenges. By raising awareness about CHD, we hope to help families feel less alone, encourage early diagnosis, and support the heart warrior community.

Every heart has a story. Every heart deserves care.