If I was born with a heart
defect and am now an adult, do I need to see a specialist
in adult congenital heart disease?
No one answer would fit all patients. The adult congenital
heart specialist has experience with the unique symptoms
adults may experience after surviving a childhood with
congenital heart disease. It has only been within the
last 10 to 20 years with modern surgical techniques
that children with congenital heart disease have survived
their childhood and are now entering adult life. Some
may need to be followed regularly on a frequent basis
while others may be evaluated at a single visit and
not need follow-up for five to 10 years. Each patient's
case is individually assessed.
