Congenital heart defects (CHD) are structural problems with the heart that are present at birth. CHD is a chronic, life-long condition, and for many forms of congenital heart defects, there is no cure—surgery does not “fix” the heart. For most congenital heart defects, the causes in unknown, but some are caused by genetic conditions and environmental factors.
Today, there are 2-4 million Americans living with one or more congenital heart defects, and more than half of them are adults. The good news is that nearly 85% of those born with congenital heart defects will live to adulthood.
Learn About Adult Congenital Heart Disease
- Key Facts, Signs and Symptoms, Managing Congenital Heart Disease, Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- Transitioning to Adult Care
- Navigating Insurance
Heart Disease, Genetic Testing and Family History
Webinars & Videos
- CHD Self-Care Tips
- CHD Innovations Shark Tank Videos Playlist
- Stay in Care Webinar Series
- Stay in Care with CHD—Valve Disease Series Playlist
- Conversation with Series
- What You Need to Know: Telemedicine and CHD
Discussion Communities
Articles, Blog Posts & Personal Stories
- Loving Life with 5 Congenital Heart Defects
- I am a Warrior: Embracing My Scar Everywhere I Go
- Moments That Matter
- Holly’s Story
- Let Them Say, “He Lived a Life!”
