Hi everyone! We've had a lot of fun this month talking about heart health and listening to the heart-happy songs from WebSpider's Jukebox. But I'd like to take a moment to talk about something more serious - congenital heart defects.

A congenital heart defect exists at birth. It is not heart disease, but an abnormality or defect - often the heart or blood vessels near the heart don't develop normally before birth. Usually these defects originate in the very early weeks of pregnancy, when the heart is first forming. Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect - approximately 35,000 infants per year are born with heart defects in the U.S. If the heart is not pumping enough blood for circulation, fluid builds up in the heart and lungs, and can cause further damage, including congestive heart failure. Look out for symptoms like rapid heartbeats, trouble breathing, problems when feeding, low weight gain, or swelling in the legs, abdomen, or around the eyes. Consult your physician if you think your child might have a congenital heart defect, and consult closely for treatment options.

Remember: Technology is improving every day. So, don’t give up and don’t be shy. Ask your doctor about any concerns you may have about yourself or your child.

Check out this site for even more info on this issue: www.Marchofdimes.com

The Puppet Treehouse's newest addition, Intern Stef, has some heart-happy facts for everyone!

*In less than a minute, your heart is able to pump blood to every cell in your body.

*The human heart is about the size of a fist.

*During an average lifetime, the human heart will beat more than 2.5 billion times.

*The heart weighs less than one pound (roughly the same as two apples).

As most of you know, February is Heart Month. That doesn't just mean pink candied hearts, boxes of chocolates, and a lot of lace and elmer's glue. It's also a time to bring awareness to heart health and heart disease.

Heart disease can mean something as severe as a heart attack, but it also refers to plaque buildup in the arteries, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), and heart valve problems.

High blood pressure and high cholesterol can aggravate your risk of heart disease. If an immediate family member has had some form of heart disease, you are at higher risk for developing heart trouble as well.

Stay tuned throughout this month for more information on heart disease, heart-healthy prevention tips, and song!