Select a topic from the list below to learn more.
Web Booklet: If Your Child Has A Congenital Defect - Our guide for parents
An Introduction: Understanding Congenital Heart Defects
The Normal Heart and How It Works
How a Cardiologist Diagnoses Defects
Your Child's Special Needs
Topics in this section include:
Medical and Surgical Treatment
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Heart Rhythm Problems
- Pulmonary Hypertension
- Interventional Cardiac Catheterizations
- Preparing for Your Child’s Surgery
- Blood Transfusions
- Talking to Your Child About Their Surgery
- In the Operating Room
- In the Intensive Care Unit
- Further Hospital Care
- Taking Care of Your Child at Home
Common Heart Defects
- Aortic Valve Stenosis (AVS) and Aortic Insufficiency
- Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
- Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA)
- Complete Atrioventricular Canal defect (CAVC)
- d-Transposition of the great arteries
- Ebstein's Anomaly
- Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)
- I-transposition of the great arteries
- Patent Ductus Arteriosis (PDA)
- Pulmonary Atresia
- Pulmonary Stenosis
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection (TAPVC)
- Tricuspid Atresia
- Truncus Arteriosus
- Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
Heart & Stroke Encyclopedia
View our Heart & Stroke Encyclopedia to find simple definitions of complex terms.
Blake – A Heart Warrior at 4

By looking at him, you'd never know active 4-year-old, Blake Galligan, has a congenital heart defect. In honor of Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, his family tells his story – one of hope and perseverance.

By looking at him, you'd never know active 4-year-old, Blake Galligan, has a congenital heart defect. In honor of Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, his family tells his story – one of hope and perseverance.
