Cyanotic Heart Disease

What can be done to prevent the disease?

Cyanotic heart disease is often not preventable. Pregnant women should avoid alcohol. A woman who may get pregnant should make sure all her vaccines are up to date, to lower the risk of infection in the womb.

What are the long-term effects of the disease?

If left untreated, severe cyanotic heart disease can lead to permanent organ damage or death.

What are the risks to others?

Cyanotic heart disease is not contagious and poses no risk to others. Parents who have had one child with a heart defect that causes cyanosis have a slightly increased risk of having a second affected child. Genetic counseling may be useful in this case.