Transitional Care for Congenital Heart Conditions in Teenagers at University Hospitals

Helping Teens and Young Adults with Congenital Heart Disease Transition to Adult Care

The Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program offers targeted services for adolescents and young adults who have congenital heart disease. Our board-certified doctors realize that younger congenital heart disease patients have unique needs as they become more active in school activities, sports and other extracurricular events. Our highly trained physicians and staff work with adolescents to help them understand their condition, symptoms and treatment. Once relying on parents to direct their medical care, it now becomes vital for the young person to have a strong relationship with a board-certified adult congenital heart disease physician in adulthood for continued heart care and enhanced quality of life.

Pediatric and Adult Cardiology Services

The Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program provides an expert team devoted to patient-centered care, providing a range of comprehensive services for patients with congenital heart disease of any age.

University Hospitals links pediatric and adult cardiology, including interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery resources, to set up congenital heart disease patients for long-term success. This partnership between UH adult heart specialists and the pediatric heart experts at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital’s Congenital Heart Collaborative aims to guide patients from birth through adulthood with seamless care. This helps ensure that every patient receives the appropriate care at the appropriate time for any condition that may develop.

Education Regarding Lifestyle Choices

The Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program shifts teens and young adults from pediatric to adult care. We offer adolescents education about the importance of engaging in a lifetime of specialized cardiac care, as well as making critical lifestyle choices to avoid future health crises. Our elite team gives the latest recommendations and practical advice and answers questions about:

• Alcohol, smoking and recreational drugs
• Advanced directives/living wills
• Birth control and family planning
• Diet and exercise
• Insurance
• School and academics
• Travel
• Work