Congenital heart disease

Congenital heart disease is a malformation of your heart involving your heart chambers, heart valves or major blood vessels that is present at birth. Congenital heart diseases can range from simple to complex and can occur alone or in groups, depending on how your heart developed.

Most congenital heart diseases can be repaired or improved with surgery. Some congenital heart diseases require no treatment. Many people who have congenital heart disease live full and healthy lives.

Why choose Mayo Clinic

• Experience in treatments. For more than 60 years, heart specialists (cardiologists) at Mayo Clinic have evaluated and treated thousands of children and adults who have congenital heart disease. Heart surgeons perform hundreds of operations each year to treat congenital heart diseases.
• Experience in transplants. When needed, Mayo Clinic also offers an experienced heart transplant program. Cardiologists, heart surgeons and other specialists work together closely on a daily basis to care for people who have congenital heart disease.
• Specialized, ongoing care. Each Mayo Clinic location offers treatment for adults who have congenital heart disease. The Center for Congenital Heart Disease at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota treats adults and children who have all types of congenital heart disease.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for heart and heart surgery by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic also ranks among the Best Children's Hospitals for heart and heart surgery.

Read more about congenital heart disease in children and congenital heart disease in adults.