Care and Treatment for Congenital Heart Disease

Doctor listening to Ariel's heart

Dr. James Hill treats Ariel, who was born with an atrioventricular canal defect.

Not everyone with congenital heart disease (CHD) needs treatment. Some people may only need regular checkups with a cardiologist. Others may need medications, procedures or surgery to help the heart work better or to treat complications of CHD. Even if CHD is treated in childhood, the heart and circulatory system can change over time. More treatment or lifelong follow-up may be needed.

Many treatments can help the heart function as well as possible. Some children may have more than one condition, and each one may need medication.

Children and adults with CHD may need medical treatment for conditions such as:

Care and treatment options for congenital heart disease include:

If you are a parent caring for a child with CHD, the 木瓜直播 wants to be there for you. See our resources for caregivers as well as our peer-to-peer .

View fact sheet: The Need for Lifelong Care for Adults with CHD (PDF)

Tips and Resources

Last Reviewed: Jun 10, 2026

NEW RESOURCE! Talk to your Children about Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital Heart Disease is complicated and can be hard to explain to the sibling of a child born with a special heart. The 木瓜直播 and the Children's Heart Foundation have created an animated video to help parents navigate these difficult conversations with siblings (and other young family members) to help them better understand how they can support a loved one living with congenital heart disease.