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Overview
Most testing for congenital heart disease is performed on an infant or young child. However, if a fetus is at increased risk for congenital heart disease or a prenatal exam has uncovered a potential concern, testing may begin as early as the fifth month of pregnancy. Approximately 10 percent of heart defects don't manifest until adulthood; for these people, testing may not be begin until middle age.
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A thorough physical exam and medical history are fundamental to the diagnosis of congenital heart disease. In the medical history, the physician will ask questions about patients' childhood--diseases and procedures they may have had, as well as the health of family members. During the physical exam, the doctor will listen to the heart and lungs for a heart murmur or other unusual sounds. Also the physician will note the condition of the neck veins, measure blood pressure and pulse, and check to see if there is swelling of the feet or ankles. Based on these findings, tests will be ordered to further evaluate the condition of the heart.
Despite the sophistication of many testing procedures and the valuable information they can provide, tests alone do not provide a diagnosis. The physician is ultimately responsible for interpreting test results, so it's vital that he or she has a good grasp of what each test can and cannot reveal in regards to the patient's condition. Before moving forward with a diagnostic test, especially an invasive test like a heart catheterization, review with your physician how the test results will add to his or her understanding of your condition.
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