For people with heart defects, mental health support is essential to care at every age

Science Daily
Jul 14, 2022

For people with heart defects, mental health support is essential to care at every age


Resilience and a high quality of life are demonstrated by many individuals born with heart defects; however, they may face a range of health-related psychological and social challenges throughout their lives. A new scientific statement reviews potential psychological and social challenges that occur from infancy through adulthood among people born with heart defects and the types of mental health care that may be beneficial. The statement advocates for mental health professionals to be integrated within interdisciplinary teams that provide medical care to children and adults with congenital heart defects, which is more common in cancer care than cardiac care.