18 Heart Facts For You

Learn more facts about congenital heart disease (CHD) and heart health awareness — and share with your family and friends! Spreading the word about CHD is vital to educating the public as a step towards improving care and fueling scientific research.

By getting vaccinated people with CHD are more protected from heart-related complications of COVID-19.

About 1 million babies around the world are born with heart disease each year.

Innovations in prosthetic valve repair and replacement provide minimally-invasive treatment options for CHD patients.

3D modeling and virtual reality are advancing treatment options for children with heart disease.

Infant deaths from heart defects have declined by 1/3 in states that require pulse oximetry screenings to measure oxygen in the blood.

Survival rates are up by 30% for children born with heart defects in the past decade – thanks to research and innovative treatments.

More than 70% of adults with CHD are not monitored by the appropriate specialized providers.

Even for healthy kids without a family history of high cholesterol or early coronary artery disease, they should have their cholesterol levels checked at age 9-11 and age 17-19.

All 50 states now screen newborns for critical congenital heart defects.
 
1 in 120 babies is born with heart disease each year in the U.S. That's 40,000 babies every year!

8 most common congenital heart
    defects in the U.S.: Ventricular septal defects, Atrial septal defect, Tetralogy of Fallot, Single ventricle defects, Pulmonary valve stenosis, Patent ductus arteriosus, Transposition of the great arteries, Aortic valve stenosis

Adults living with CHD should see a cardiologist at least once a year.

About 25% of kids with a CHD have a critical form and generally need an intervention during their first year of life.

9 out of 10 kids eat more sodium than recommended per day (2,300 mg), increasing their risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack and
kidney failure.

More than 1.4 million adults are living with CHD in the U.S.and stroke.

Age 12. When experts recommend pediatric heart patients begin talking to their physicians about transitioning to adult cardiac care.

60 plus minutes a day of moderate to vigorous physical activity is recommended for all children.

More than 1 in 7 children in the U.S. have high blood pressure and should be screened annually to reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke.