The Possible Impact of Having a Congenital Heart Condition

Abstract Chapter 2 develops the reader’s understanding of the psychological, emotional, and social challenges that the congenital heart condition (CHC) population can face while recognizing that everyone with a CHC has a very different experience and story. Social inequalities and life challenges such as the potential impact of medical disruption to early attachment to significant caregivers, grief and loss (e.g., of a “normal” childhood), the impact of CHCs on relationships, social inclusion, self-image, education, career, finances and overall quality of life are explored. Further, medical challenges such as managing hospital visits, medical procedures, cardiac events, heart failure, implantable cardiac devices, medical uncertainty, COVID-19, and mental health prevalence are considered.