Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Advanced care for a longer life
Congenital heart disease refers to heart defects people are born with, which don't always require medication or treatment. When they do, the heart specialists at Novant Health specialize in less invasive solutions that reduce the risk of complications and speed up recovery times.
Take the First Step
If you believe you are at risk for heart disease, it’s time to take the first step in improving your cardiac health. Visit your primary care provider to discuss your heart health to see if you need a referral to one of our heart specialists. If you do not have a primary care provider, follow the steps below to get started:
Step 1:
Visit your Primary
Care Provider
Step 2:
Discuss your
concerns
Step 3:
Your provider gives
a referral
Step 4:
Choose the right
specialist for you
FAQs about Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Conditions Treated
Treatment Options
- Electrocardiograms (ECGs or EKGs)
- Echocardiograms
- Chest X-rays
- Angiograms
- Cardiac catheterization (also called ‘interventional" or "therapeutic" catheterizations)
If medications and lifestyle changes are not having the desired effect, your cardiologist may recommend you be evaluated for surgery to If standard open surgery poses too great a risk, you may still be a good candidate for a less invasive procedure involving smaller incisions, less bleeding and quicker recovery times.
To help alleviate the symptoms of a congenital heart defect, your provider may recommend medications and lifestyle changes, including exercise, physical therapy and dietary changes. Sometimes, these can also prevent or delay complications, including chronic heart disease.
Adult Congenital Heart Disease Specialists
General cardiologist
When your primary care provider concludes that your symptoms indicate a heart-related condition, they'll usually refer you to a general cardiologist to perform more in-depth tests and exams.
Interventional cardiologist
An interventional cardiologist has completed more extensive medical training than a general cardiologist. They can perform specific heart-related surgical procedures, including those often used to treat adult congenital heart disease.
Cardiothoracic surgeon
A cardiothoracic surgeon specializes in heart surgery. The cardiac surgeons at Novant Health have decades of experience and can handle even the most complicated conditions as part of a personalized care plan.
Nuclear cardiologist
A nuclear cardiologist is trained in advanced imaging techniques that determine how well your heart is functioning. This includes blood flow, the size of your heart, and the potential for or aftereffects of a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
Clinical cardiac electrophysiologist
A clinical cardiac electrophysiologist is a heart care specialist focused on diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias). They're trained in interventional and surgical procedures.