Adult Congenital Heart Disease Care

When you turn 18, your heart condition doesn’t disappear — and neither does our support. We begin transition planning as early as age 16 to help you feel confident and ready to take charge of your health. And because our records, testing, and providers stay within our ACHD program, the transition to adult care is seamless. We guide you through each step, promoting independence along the way.

Each visit starts with a thorough evaluation by our ACHD-certified cardiologists who specialize in the unique structure and function of adult congenital hearts.

They’ll work with you to design a treatment plan that fits your needs, your family’s goals, and your everyday life. That means clear communication, shared decision‑making, and support that continues long after each visit. This may include:

• Advanced imaging (3-D echocardiography, CT, and MRI) to assess their heart’s anatomy
• Cardiac catheterization or valve procedures to repair or replace heart structures without open surgery
• Rhythm management, including ablation, pacemaker, and ICD care
• Heart failure and transplant evaluation when needed
• Pregnancy and family-planning consultations with our high-risk OB team

Our team also provides guidance for travel, college, employment, and insurance, so you can manage your heart care with confidence wherever life takes you.

Fetal echocardiography

A fetal echocardiogram (or fetal echo) is a specialized ultrasound that allows doctors to see your baby’s heart while still in the womb. Our pediatric cardiologists and imaging experts use fetal echocardiography to look closely at how your baby’s heart is developing and how blood flows through it in real time. This test is typically performed between 18 and 24 weeks of pregnancy, though it can be done later if needed. Fetal echo is safe, noninvasive, and helps identify congenital heart defects or rhythm concerns early. It gives your care team time to plan for the safest delivery and care after birth.  

When a condition is found, our fetal cardiology team works closely with maternal-fetal medicine specialists, neonatologists, and cardiac surgeons to coordinate your baby’s care from diagnosis through birth and beyond.

Maternal care (OB/MFM collaboration)

Pregnancy can put extra stress on the heart, especially for women with congenital heart disease. That’s why our ACHD program partners closely with maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists who have expertise in high-risk pregnancies. Together, we monitor your heart and your baby’s development throughout pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

From pre‑pregnancy counseling through postpartum recovery, we’ll help you make informed decisions and support both you and your baby with expert, compassionate care.

Living with an adult congenital heart disease

Living with congenital heart disease doesn’t mean limiting your life. It means learning how to thrive with the right care and support. We’ll talk with you about safe exercise, pregnancy planning, stress management, and long-term goals like career and travel. We’ll also connect you with resources like Heart Friends, our peer-support community, and specialists in mental health and rehabilitation who understand the ACHD journey.