What is a potential long-term risk for patients with untreated congenital heart defects?

Patients with untreated congenital heart defects are at significant risk of developing heart failure or arrhythmias as a long-term consequence. Congenital heart defects can lead to various structural abnormalities within the heart, affecting its ability to pump blood effectively or regulate its rhythm. Over time, these issues can cause the heart to work harder to maintain proper blood circulation, leading to heart failure, where the heart is unable to meet the body's demands.

Additionally, irregular heart rhythms, or arrhythmias, can arise from the disrupted electrical pathways in the heart caused by its structural defects. The heart's response to the increased workload, as well as the potential for abnormal conduction pathways, further elevates the risk of both heart failure and arrhythmias. These complications can develop gradually but have significant implications for a patient’s overall health and quality of life.

While developmental delays and other issues may occur in some cases, they are not as universally associated with untreated congenital heart defects as heart failure and arrhythmias. Conditions such as dehydration and increased bone density also do not correlate directly with the long-term consequences of congenital heart defects.