Chicagoland Community Pediatric Cardiology

08/26/2026

This is what we saw in practice - far more common from the virus

After reports surfaced of rare cases of myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination, some parents worried that mRNA vaccines might cause heart disease in their children.

03/26/2026

It often seems that the “taboo topics” in life aren’t really all that relevant until your teen years. As the seasons change, new milestones come and go. This can be an especially trying time in the life of an adolescent with congenital heart disease, especially as they are undergoing the major transition of leaving the nest and going off to college, joining the workforce, or just moving far from home. We're revisiting our Top Ten list by Dr. Aaron Kay, Director of the ACHD Program at IU Health, to help ease the transition.
http://conqueringchd.org/teen-topics-top-10/

02/11/2026

We will see our patients into adulthood, but many across the world fall through the cracks ♥️ 💜

CHD doesn’t end at age 18.
A birthday doesn’t suddenly make a congenital heart “fixed,” and adulthood doesn’t erase the complexity we carry.

Adults living with CHD need specialized providers who truly understand congenital hearts, not just acquired heart disease. We need lifelong monitoring, coordinated care, and support systems built for long-term survival, not short-term milestones.

Too often, the conversation stops after childhood. Pediatric care is strong, but the bridge to adulthood is fragile, underfunded, or missing altogether. Many of us are left navigating complex hearts in systems that weren’t designed for us.

We need providers trained in adult congenital heart disease, healthcare systems that plan for decades, not years, and research that reflects what it means to live, age, work, parent, and survive with CHD.

Awareness can’t stop at childhood.
It must grow with us, listen to us, and include us, because adults with CHD are here, and our lives matter. 💙

02/09/2026

We do our best to not only support our patients, but their families too!

02/08/2026

Something to keep in mind this Superbowl Sunday…🏈

❤️‍🩹 The average Superbowl game lasts 3 hours and 44 minutes
❤️‍🩹 During tonight’s game 15 children will be born with CHD

Join us in cheering on the hero in every child born with CHD.

02/08/2026

01/14/2026

January is Birth Defect Awareness Month, and together, Team CHD Illinois and Stuffed Love are honoring the tiniest hearts with the biggest stories.
🤍
Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) are the most common type of birth defect, affecting 1 in every 100 babies born. No two journeys look the same. CHDs can include septal defects like ASD and VSD, valve conditions such as Pulmonary or Aortic Stenosis/Atresia, Tricuspid Atresia, and Ebstein’s Anomaly, as well as more complex diagnoses like Coarctation of the Aorta, TGA, Tetralogy of Fallot, HLHS, TAPVR, and Heterotaxy.

Each diagnosis is more than a medical term.
It represents a heart warrior, a family, and a journey defined by courage, resilience, and hope.

As we step into Heart Month this February, Team CHD Illinois and Stuffed Love will continue to focus on education, awareness, and support—sharing information about different CHDs, amplifying the voices of heart families, and reminding our community that no one walks this path alone.

If you have experienced the weight, fear, love, and bravery that comes with a CHD diagnosis, we see you. Your story matters. 💙
Please feel free to leave a message of encouragement, support, or solidarity for fellow heart families in the comments.

Together, we raise awareness.
Together, we create understanding.
Together, we stand with every heart family—always. 🫶

If CHD has touched your life, we would be honored to recognize your journey in the comments. 🤍

02/04/2025

The senior captain of Duxbury High School's boys swim team has his name atop the school's record board after overcoming a life-threatening health condition.

02/03/2025

CHD patients can achieve amazing things but many will require lifelong care and follow up with their cardiologists!

12/02/2024

Early intervention can make a world of difference in a child's heart health. Routine EKGs are an essential part of our preventive strategy. Protect your child's future by prioritizing their heart health—call us at 312-951-5800.