A Day For Hearts gives our vibrant networked online community the chance to take on a humane cause: Promoting Awareness of Congenital Heart Defects.
Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) are a lethal constellation of birth defects of the heart that affect millions of newborn infants and children worldwide; a killer that claims thousands of lives every year. Eight of every 1000 children born alive (0.8%) will have some form of congenital heart defect.
On this special day, A DAY FOR HEARTS, a concerted global effort is being made to heighten awareness of this deadly group of diseases. We at Heart Disease Online support this event by offering information, resources and support to those whose lives have been touched by Congenital Heart Defects.
YOU CAN HELP TOO - Click Here To See How
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Congenital Heart Defects cause one or more portions of the heart to develop abnormally. Absent, narrow or leaky heart valves and blood vessels, holes in the walls between chambers, transposed arteries and under-development or total absence of one or more components are all possible. More...
What? Learn About CHD
Dr.Mani Sivasubramanian, heart surgeon and Heart Disease Online founder, gives you a bird's eye view of the problem of Congenital Heart Disease.
A look at the background behind "A Day For Hearts" and the people responsible for this grand event.
A categorized listing of the different kinds of CHD with links to explanatory articles on each.
A list of informative resources on the various kinds of surgical procedures performed for birth defects of the heart.
CHD Symptoms
* Cyanosis: a bluish hue
* Heart Failure: breathless, sweaty, irritable child
* Heart Murmur: on medical exam
* Arrhythmias: rhythm problems
* Rarely none !
Why? Causes of CHD
A look at the factors that might be responsible for congenital heart defects.
Have a Heart: If you're pregnant, don't drink
Many of the symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome are irreversible and can cause a lifetime of suffering for the victims. Take the advice of Buddy T - To be on the safe side, if you are pregnant, don't drink.
Fetal echocardiography has revolutionized CHD diagnosis, allowing early and accurate detection of heart defects inside the womb.
CHD : The Facts
* Occurs in 8 of every 1,000 live births
* About 3,00,000 Indians born with CHD each year
* 32,000 babies with CHD every year in the U.S. alone
* Atleast 35 distinct forms recognized
* Mortality from CHD is decreasing
* But CHD incidence has not declined.
Help! Support for CHD
CHD affects not only patients, but entire families. Along the winding, tortuous road ahead, with major surgery and continuing medical care looming, most families need a helping hand, a friendly shoulder to cry on and peers they can count on for support and encouragement in difficult times. Here are some wonderful resources to find such assistance.
Caregivers' Hearts Need Special Care Too
When a child is born with a heart defect, parents may feel many deep emotions including grief, shock, denial, guilt, anger, despair or confusion. Here are some resources to help heal the broken hearts of those who care for CHD children, from expert Nancy Schimelpfening.
More Information
* Hearts Online
* Specific CHDs
* CHD Surgery
How? YOU Can Help
Tell others - friends, family, everyone - about "A Day For Hearts". Click here to learn more....
Here are some things you can do:
- click here to join a 47 Hearts Group
- click here to tell friends about this site
- click here to display a banner graphic on your website
Make a small donation that can help save a child's life. The cost of heart healthcare in developing countries is surprisingly low - every $5 or $10 will add up. Click here to learn more...
Join us in our tireless effort in fighting CHD.
Learn About Specific CHDs
About this CHD Awareness Day page
This site is created and maintained by Dr.Mani
Dr.Mani writes and sells ebooks to help raise money that sponsors life-saving operations for children born with heart defects.
Heart surgery is expensive. Many patients from poor families cannot afford the cost of treatment. So Dr.Mani tries to fund these operations. This was the simple idea that drove an online adventure that started in 1996.
Since then, his efforts have funded heart surgery in 151+ children. The ambitious mission – make high quality heart health care accessible and affordable to every Indian child.
Dr.Mani's short ebook ‘47 Hearts‘ tells you all that he learned while launching a non-profit to follow a dream.
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Help Spread CHD Awareness
Conversations spread messages. Help our effort get wider recognition – and become a movement that touches and improves many little lives… by keeping the conversation growing.
Thank you from my heart for your support, participation and encouragement.
