What it means
In adult care, CHD usually means coronary heart disease, the same as coronary artery diseaseKOR-uh-nair-ee AR-tuh-ree dih-ZEEZNarrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, most often from fatty plaque buildup.Full entry : narrowing of the arteries that feed the heart muscle. In pediatric and maternity care, CHD usually means congenital heart disease, a heart defect present at birth, such as an atrial septal defectAY-tree-ul SEP-tul DEE-fektA hole in the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart.atri/o atrium (upper heart chamber)sept/o wall, partition-al relating toFull entry .
For the nurse
The two meanings are very different, so check the context and ask if it is unclear. Write the full term in your own notes.
Related terms
coronary artery disease
Narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, most often from fatty plaque buildup.
atrial septal defect
A hole in the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart.