This week is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week!

A congenital heart defect (CHD) is a problem in the heart’s structure that occurs when a baby is born. Heart defects can range from mild to severe.

While CHD itself is a common birth defect (the most common, actually), there are rare forms of it and we encourage you to participate in raising awareness. CHDs affect approximately one in 100 births every year in the United States; an estimated 1 million children and 1.4 million adults in the United States are living with a CHD.

Here are come ways you can help d your part and raise awareness for CHD:

1. Educate yourself and others on the facts

   Resources like the American Heart Association have important facts and information that people should be aware of – including signs and symptoms to look out for, treatment options available, and more.

2. Listen to the stories of CHD survivors

   There is a certain wisdom found in the shared experiences of others – they know better than any of us what it’s been like to live with or know someone with a CHD. This collection of stories from real CHD survivors can be an impactful and important well of knowledge, and is worth checking out.

3. Connect via social media

   If nothing else – take some time and push some awareness on your social media platforms, using the hashtag #CHDAware! And click here for social media opportunities and fundraising/awareness goals that you can help be a part of.

Let’s do our best to shed a little light on CHD!

Do you have plans to participate in #CHDAware? Let the Patient Worthy community know!