Congenital Heart Defect (CHD)
Each year from February 7–14, families, clinicians, and advocacy organizations observe Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Week — a time dedicated to raising awareness about the most common type of birth defect and the lifelong impact it can have.
At Vital AED, we believe awareness must extend beyond recognition. It must include preparedness.
What Is a Congenital Heart Defect?
A congenital heart defect (CHD) is a structural problem with the heart that is present at birth. Some defects are mild and may never require intervention. Others are critical and require surgery or ongoing medical care.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1 in every 100 babies born in the United States has a congenital heart defect — approximately 40,000 infants each year. About 1 in 4 of those cases are considered critical, meaning they require surgery or other procedures within the first year of life.
Medical advances have dramatically improved survival rates. Today, most children born with CHD live into adulthood. In fact, there are now more adults living with congenital heart defects than children in the U.S. But survival does not eliminate risk.
CHD and the Risk of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
While many individuals with congenital heart defects live full and active lives, some remain at increased risk for heart rhythm abnormalities (arrhythmias). In rare cases, these arrhythmias can lead to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) — a life-threatening condition in which the heart suddenly stops beating effectively.
The American Heart Association (AHA) explains that immediate defibrillation is critical when SCA occurs. For every minute that passes without defibrillation, survival decreases by 7–10%.
An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can restore a normal heart rhythm during certain types of cardiac arrest. When an AED is used quickly — especially in combination with CPR — survival outcomes improve significantly.
Children and adults living with CHD often participate fully in school, athletics, and community life. Emergency preparedness should meet them there.
Supporting Families Living with CHD
Organizations like The Children’s Heart Foundation work to fund research aimed at preventing, diagnosing, and treating congenital heart defects.
CHD Awareness Week is also a time to:
- Share educational resources
- Advocate for heart screenings in schools and sports programs
- Evaluate your emergency response readiness
A Simple Question to Ask This Week
If a cardiac emergency happened in your facility today:
Would you be ready?
At Vital AED, our mission is simple — to help organizations protect lives through reliable AED solutions and compliance support. Awareness is the first step. Preparedness is what saves lives.
If you would like to assess your AED readiness, contact us. We are here to help.
