What causes congenital heart disease?

Congenital heart disease is primarily caused by a defect in the heart structure that develops during fetal growth. These structural anomalies can occur due to a variety of factors, including genetic predispositions, environmental influences, or an interplay of both. The defects can affect the walls of the heart, the valves, or the arteries and veins near the heart, leading to abnormal blood flow through the heart and body. Understanding this aspect is crucial as it emphasizes that these are conditions present at birth rather than those that develop later in life due to lifestyle or health factors.

Other options mention conditions that can affect heart health but are not causes of congenital heart disease. For example, obesity, hypertension, and coronary artery disease typically relate to acquired heart conditions that arise from a combination of lifestyle, age, and other health issues, not intrinsic structural defects present from birth. This distinction is vital for recognizing the different origins of heart-related conditions.