Myths About Adult Congenital Heart Disease

If you’re a teen or adult who had congenital heart disease (CHD), or a heart defect, as a child, you will need lifelong care to lead a full and healthy life.

As home to the leading adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) program in the country, Nationwide Children’s Hospital has experts who are specially trained to care for the unique needs of teens and adults with congenital heart disease.

Here at The Heart Center, patients with all forms of congenital heart disease receive treatment from our specialized team. This team is dual certified, and they’ve been uniquely trained to treat both children and adults. So patients are seen at both Nationwide Children’s Hospital and at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, which allows for individualized patient care.

Here are just a few of the most common myths – and facts – about adult congenital heart disease.

MYTH #1: “This kind of heart defect affects just kids.”
Congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect in this country, affecting one out of every 120 babies. Currently, there are estimated to be more than one million adults with congenital heart disease in the United States and this number increases approximately five percent each year. Adult congenital heart disease is a disease that requires lifelong follow-up care.

MYTH #2: “My parents said my heart was fixed. So when I turned 18, I no longer needed care.”
As our treatments get better, children with congenital heart disease are growing into adults living fuller, longer lives. But it’s important to remember, if you have a congenital heart disease, it means that you need to continue to see a cardiologist who specializes in adult congenital heart disease care, in order to stay healthy.

For more information on the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, click here.