Serious congenital heart defects usually are noticed soon after birth or during the first few months of life. Signs and symptoms could include:  Pale gray or blue lips, tongue or fingernails (cyanosis) Rapid breathing Swelling in the legs, belly or areas around the eyes Shortness of breath during feedings, leading to poor weight gain  Less-serious congenital heart defects may not be diagnosed until later in childhood. Signs and symptoms of congenital heart defects in older children may include:  Easily becoming short of breath during exercise or activity Easily tiring during exercise or activity Fainting during exercise or activity Swelling in the hands, ankles or feet 
congenital heart defects noticed soon birth first months life  signs symptoms include:  pale gray blue lips  tongue fingernails (cyanosis) rapid breathing swelling legs  belly areas eyes shortness breath feedings  leading poor weight gain  less-serious congenital heart defects may diagnosed later childhood  signs symptoms congenital heart defects older children may include:  easily short breath exercise activity easily tiring exercise activity fainting exercise activity swelling hands  ankles feet 
congenital heart defects children