Today, people with #downsyndrome are living almost 50 years longer than they did in the 1940s (Esbensen, 2010). 
This is largely due to advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease.
"Congenital heart disease is one or more problems with the heart's structure that exist since birth." (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2022)
Around 50% of individuals with Down syndrome have some form of congenital heart disease (Benhaourech et al., 2016).
Ventricular septal defects are an example of a potential congenital heart disease:
Parents and caregivers can find more info on congenital heart disease and its relation to Down syndrome below: ndss.org/resources/the-…
In the past, doctors didn’t know Down syndrome was connected to these dangerous heart conditions.
Today, congenital heart disease still remains the leading cause of death for people w/ Down syndrome before age two (Benhaourech et al., 2016).
Cardiac screening is important for finding heart problems before they become life-threatening.
Most medical scans relating to Down syndrome are covered by insurance or governmental aid programs.
Parents/caregivers of children with #downsyndrome can find out more about cardiac scanning below: medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/down…
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