Your Child’s Heart Health Starts Earlier Than You Think

Healthy habits don’t happen overnight—they’re built over time. And when it comes to heart health, the foundation starts in childhood.

From hearing your child’s first heartbeat to cheering them on at their first soccer game, every moment is a reminder that caring for their heart is a lifelong journey you’re on together.

“Healthy habits that reduce the risk of serious heart complications start in childhood,” says Shannon Nees, MD, pediatric cardiologist at Nemours Children’s Health.

From fetal medicine to early childhood, adolescence, and beyond, heart care evolves as kids grow, notes Dr. Nees. Pediatric heart specialists at Nemours Children’s Health help families navigate each stage, supporting not just a child’s heart, but their learning, development, and overall well-being.

That whole-child, whole-family approach means heart care looks different at every age. Here’s how to get started.

Heart Care Should Grow with Your Child

That care can begin even before birth. For some families, the journey starts with fetal echocardiograms to check a baby’s heart structure, function, and rhythm, allowing care teams to identify concerns early and plan ahead.

For children with congenital heart disease, the most common type of heart conditions present at birth. A care plan often extends beyond medical visits to include ongoing monitoring, education, and family support.

“Patients with congenital heart disease are at increased risk of neurodevelopmental differences,” Dr. Nees explains, which can show up as “talking late or walking late or having learning differences that need extra support.”

That’s why regular follow-ups play such an important role as kids grow. At Nemours Children’s Cardiac Center, those follow-ups can be lifesaving.

“We want to make sure that we identify problems, or potential problems, before they really impact the child,” she says. “Checking in regularly and having screening tests performed help us to know what’s going on and know what to anticipate.”

Together, those check-ins help ensure care evolves alongside a child’s milestones from early childhood through their teen years.

Teaching Kids About Their Heart Builds Confidence for Life

Helping children understand their heart health empowers them to take a more active role in their care as they grow older. Education is a key part of pediatric heart care—especially as kids begin to take on more responsibility and independence.

“We try to make sure kids understand what their underlying heart problem is, how to explain it to other people, and how to advocate for themselves within the healthcare system,” notes Dr. Nees.

That process often begins earlier than many parents expect.

“Usually in those early adolescent years we sit down and ask kids, ‘what do you understand about your congenital heart disease,’ or ‘do you understand what’s going on with your heart?’” says Dr. Nees.

As children grow, responsibility gradually shifts from parents to patients themselves.

“At their appointments, their parents help make sure they take their medicines, but eventually it’s going to be up to them,” explains Dr. Nees. “So, kids have to have an understanding of why it’s important that they take their medicine—what it means for their health.”

This approach helps prepare kids not just for their next appointment, but for care well beyond childhood.

Pediatric Heart Care Is a Long-Term Partnership

For patients born with congenital heart disease, care doesn’t stop when they outgrow pediatric appointments—it continues into adulthood. At Nemours Children’s Health, families can stay within the same care system as children transition from pediatric to adult-focused heart care.

“Patients with congenital heart disease eventually transition to our adult congenital heart disease program,” notes Dr. Nees.

That continuity helps ensure adult providers understand a patient’s full medical history, while giving teens and young adults a clearer, more supported path forward as they take greater ownership of their care.

Family Education Makes the Journey Easier

When families know what to expect, medical care can feel less intimidating and easier to navigate.

“The Nemours Children’s educational website, kidshealth.org has lots of information about creating a heart healthy diet, exercise recommendations, when to add screening tests for blood pressure and cholesterol, and other health topics outside of heart health,” explains Dr. Nees.

Through hands-on programs, family resources, and ongoing guidance, Nemours helps children feel more comfortable with care while empowering parents with the knowledge they need to support their child’s heart health at every stage.

It’s all part of how Nemours is helping patients and their families better understand their care, their care team, and the journey ahead.

To learn more about children’s heart health through educational events and resources from Nemours Children’s Health during Heart Health Awareness Month, visit Nemours.org.