Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) is the medical specialty dedicated to the care of adults who have congenital heart defects (heart conditions that are present since birth). As medical advancements have improved the survival rates of children with heart conditions, a growing number of individuals are now reaching adulthood with ongoing heart-related needs. Adult Congenital Heart Disease specialists have expertise in managing these complex heart conditions throughout a patient's adult life, which only a few adult and pediatric cardiologists offer.
Comprehensive Care for Lifelong Heart Conditions
Adult Congenital Heart Disease specialists provide comprehensive care tailored to the unique needs of each individual. They have in-depth knowledge of various types of congenital heart defects, their potential complications, and the impact they can have on overall health. These specialists work closely with patients to develop personalized treatment plans, which may include medication management, lifestyle modifications, and, in some cases, interventions or surgeries.
Transitioning from Pediatric to Adult Care
Many individuals with congenital heart defects receive care from pediatric cardiologists during their childhood. However, as they reach adulthood, the transition to specialized adult care becomes essential. Adult Congenital Heart Disease specialists understand the specific challenges that come with this transition and are equipped to provide ongoing care, addressing the unique medical and psychosocial needs of young adult patients.
Our team ensures that adolescents and young adults understand the following important aspects of their medical care:
- Understanding their heart condition, treatments they have received and potential issues that may arise over time
- Understanding why specific medications are recommended, including the expected benefit and potential side effects
- Understanding the need for lifelong care with a cardiologist trained in ACHD
- Learning what symptoms to watch for and when to call their cardiologist
- Learning about potential future heart health needs, including testing, surgeries and procedures
- Understanding how lifestyle choices like exercise, alcohol, smoking and drugs can affect people with congenital heart conditions
- Learning about family planning needs, including contraception, considerations for pregnancy and genetic implications
- The importance of following regularly with a primary care doctor
- Maintaining medical insurance/coverage
- Completing an advanced directive
Genetic Assessments, Family Planning, and Ensuring Safe Pregnancies
Our program offers counseling, tests to understand risks, and guidance for conditions that may have a genetic component to them. These type of conditions can run in families. We also provide specialized care for women with heart defects, ensuring safe pregnancies and deliveries. In conjunction with our high-risk obstetrician colleagues, we provide comprehensive guidance, including contraception, family planning, pre-conception testing, fetal heart disease screening, pregnancy monitoring, and safe delivery.
Our care team's program for Adult Congenital Heart Disease provides comprehensive support to patients during their adolescent years, facilitating a smooth transition to adult care and empowering them to succeed as adults.
Multidisciplinary Care
Long-term Follow-up and Monitoring
Regular follow-up visits and monitoring are crucial in Adult Congenital Heart Disease. These visits allow specialists to assess the heart's function, identify any potential complications or changes, and adjust the treatment plan accordingly. Adult Congenital Heart Disease specialists work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, obstetricians and other specialists, to ensure comprehensive and coordinated care. While we understand the convenience of having much of ones testing close to home, many times this testing requires congenital heart expertise by those preforming and interpreting these studies. We therefore may occasionally need those with moderate and complex congenital heart disease to come to our centers in Colorado for many of these tests periodically .
Research and Advancement
The field of Adult Congenital Heart Disease is continuously evolving, thanks to ongoing research and advancements in medical technology. Researchers are exploring new treatment options, minimally-invasive procedures, and innovative therapies to improve the quality of life for adults with congenital heart defects. Patients in specialized programs like that of CU School of Medicine Faculty provider care team’s Colorado's Adult & Teen Congenital Heart Program (CATCH) program have access to cutting-edge treatments and clinical trials that offer promising outcomes and opportunities for improved long-term health.
Empowering Patients and Families
Adult Congenital Heart Disease specialists aim to empower patients and their families by providing education and guidance. They help individuals understand their heart condition, its potential implications, and the necessary steps to maintain optimal heart health. By fostering open communication, Adult Congenital Heart Disease specialists encourage patients and families to actively participate in their care decisions and lead fulfilling lives with their heart conditions.
Common types of adult congenital heart diseases
Conditions and Treatments
- Pregnancy in people with congenital heart disease
- Weakened heart muscle
- Dysfunction of the heart valve
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Abnormal blood flow through the heart
Services
- Advanced heart failure treatments including heart transplant
- Surgical treatment
- Interventional procedures (closing shunts, inserting valves, dilating vessels)
- Electrophysiology procedures (pacemakers, defibrillators, ablations)
- Optimizing medical management
- Advanced cardiac diagnostic testing
