Specific types of defects produce characteristic sounds so that the physician often can identify the defect by listening closely. In some cases, congenital heart disease does not cause any symptoms and is discovered only when a physician hears abnormal heart sounds during a routine exam. This can happen at any age from early childhood through adulthood. The echocardiogram provides the most information because it shows the heart in action and the size and shape of the blood vessels, heart walls and valves. When congenital heart disease is diagnosed before birth, parents and physicians can plan for the right medical and surgical care to be available immediately after delivery, if necessary.
Physicians can use ultrasound to diagnose many types of congenital heart disease in unborn infants.
From the ultrasound image, the doctor can detect some valve defects, irregularities in the size, shape and position of the main blood vessels leading into and out of the heart, and the size of the heart walls.