Little Heroes, Big Hearts

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common type of birth defect, affecting about 40,000 babies born each year in the U.S.

Some infants and children won’t need treatment beyond monitoring, while some will require multiple open-heart surgeries or even a heart transplant. About 25% of babies with CHD have the most serious kind, which generally requires surgery or other procedures in their first year of life, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Despite the complexity of these cases, with the right care, most of the babies not only survive but thrive, living active lives to the fullest. This Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, we applaud our little heart warriors and join them in thanking our cardiology team members, including  doctors, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and child life specialists for helping them grow big and strong.