Blog
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Step Up and Thrive! (Transition): What is Transition and Why Does it Matter?
Thank you to everyone who participated in our live webinar “What is Transition and Why Does it Matter?” on August 2nd, 2022, as part of our Heart Connection 2022 webinar series. Read on for the summary and full video presentation. We couldn’t meet in person in Washington D.C. this year, however, we felt our community…
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CHD BEAT: Mental Health Support is Necessary Part of CHD Care – Dr. Erica Sood
We often share stories and features from patients and parents of children with CHD, but there is more to the CHD community. In this edition of our CHD Beat highlight series, we introduce you to Dr. Erica Sood, a cardiac psychologist in Delaware, who shares how she got started in medicine, how she connects to…
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An Open Letter to Phys. Ed. Teachers from a Student with CHD
Going back to school also means going back to gym class. For those with CHD, it can be an added stressor, especially if we are unsure just how much our teachers know about our condition, our abilities, and our potential physical limitations. This week, Gloria, a high school senior with HLHS, shares an open letter…
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Are You a Teen with CHD Heading off to College? 10 Tips from CHDers Who’ve Done It
For many, going off to college is the first major step toward independence. It could mean leaving home for the first time, living in a new city where you don’t know anyone, or starting a whole new life. Add a chronic illness into the mix, like CHD, and it can get tricky. Check out these 10…
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How to Prepare for Starting School with CHD
As the final weeks of Summer approach, there are school supplies to buy, carpools to arrange, and new routines to begin. For families of those with CHD, there may be additional preparation to ensure their student is able to reach their full potential. In this week’s blog, educator and Heart Mom, Tamara Jazwinski, discusses the…
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When was congenital heart disease discovered?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 40 thousand children are born with a congenital heart defect each year. While there have been many developments in how CHD is treated, there is still no cure. However, the past over 70 years have shown repeated breakthroughs in both the scientific and medical…
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What is the most common cause of congenital heart disease
Congenital heart disease is lifelong, with sufferers of the disease requiring long-term, specialized care. While most causes of CHD are unknown, there are a few factors that can impact the likelihood of a child being born with the disease. Since many children born with congenital heart disease and congenital heart defects develop other neurocognitive and…
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Summer Fun – the July Reboot
We’re nearing the end of July, but our days in the sun are not over yet! Check out this Summer Fun blog reboot for tips on staying cool and stories about the adventures of CHD kiddos, teens, and adults.
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Teaching the ABCs of CHD to Your Child
For those with CHD falling out of care is a very common problem, which can lead to critical emergency situations. A whopping 61% of children with CHD will stop seeing their cardiologist by the time they are 18, and just 10% of adults with CHD are getting the appropriate cardiac care. In this week’s blog,…
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Congenital heart disease classification
Congenital heart disease is also known as CHD. they are structural abnormalities of the heart and can cause other issues in the great vessels. These abnormalities occur while the fetus is developing. This is why it is called congenital, it is there since birth. CHD is a common type of birth defect but is also…