Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects children and families around the world, yet many people know little about it until it becomes part of their own lives.

CHD refers to structural differences in the heart that are present at birth. These conditions can affect the heart chambers, valves, major blood vessels, or the way blood moves through the heart and body. Some are mild and require little or no intervention. Others are complex and may require surgery, catheter-based procedures, medications, or lifelong specialized care.

Greater congenital heart disease awareness matters because every diagnosis represents more than a medical condition. It represents a child, a family, and a journey that may include uncertainty, difficult decisions, resilience, and hope.

Understanding CHD is one way to better support the children and families living with it.