Is congenital heart disease hereditary?

Congenital heart disease is not a hereditary disease, but it does have a certain genetic predisposition.

Congenital heart disease is the most common type of congenital malformation, accounting for approximately 28% of all congenital anomalies. About 5% of patients with congenital heart disease occur within the same family, and their conditions are either identical or similar, possibly due to gene abnormalities or chromosomal aberrations.

Congenital heart disease involves both genetic and non-genetic factors, with genetic influences playing a relatively larger role. It is generally caused by defects such as single-gene inheritance, multi-gene inheritance, or congenital metabolic disorders. Therefore, children of individuals with congenital heart disease are also at higher risk of developing the condition. Non-genetic factors may result from exposure to harmful substances during pregnancy, such as radiation or X-rays, or from taking teratogenic medications while pregnant. It could also be caused by intrauterine viral infections during gestation. Congenital heart diseases arising from such non-genetic causes are not heritable.

Since the causes of congenital heart disease are varied, it is important to strengthen health management for pregnant women, especially focusing on preventing rubella, influenza, and other viral infections during early pregnancy. A diet rich in vegetables and adequate vitamin intake should be maintained, medication use should be avoided when possible, and regular prenatal check-ups including glucose tolerance screening should be conducted.