Babies Are Born With Heart Disease
While our babies bring us a feeling of joy, they might have heart disease when they’re born. Heart disease is the most common type of birth defect affecting 1 in 4 babies. Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect in the United States, with nearly 40,000 births per year. CHDs are present at birth and they affect the structure of a baby’s heart and the way it works. There are upwards of 4 in 10 pregnant women experiencing heart failure or another complication. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is less dangerous during pregnancy. But it may lead to complications, especially if you had symptoms before pregnancy. Since February is heart month, what do we do to celebrate? Here are some suggestions.
Invite some friends over for a meal and serve heart-healthy meals. There are several non-profits spreading the word and doing great work to raise awareness. Join a heart walk in your area. You might consider a stress test or electrocardiogram (ECG). It’s a test that records the electrical activity of the heart. Celebrate the life of someone who survived a heartache even if it’s not their birthday. Life is a beautiful and precious thing, so it’s important to take time to celebrate it! There are so many ways to celebrate life, from taking a few moments to appreciate the little things in life to planning larger events. No matter how you choose to celebrate life, remember to savor every moment and be thankful for all the little things that make life worth living. We only have one life, so live it, and be kind because so many others are suffering.
