Encore Presentation of "The Natural Course of Congenital Heart Defects"

The congenital heart defect (CHD) community is growing. The most exciting part of the growth is the fact that we have an aging population of CHD Survivors! Twenty to thirty years ago, so many babies born with critical CHDs died in infancy or early childhood but that is no longer the case. What is the natural course of congenital heart disease? What can parents do to help teens transition to adulthood? What should medical professionals do to help with that transition?

What role does exercise play as adults with CHDs age? What can adult Survivors do to help themselves as they age? Long-time nurse and CHD advocate Deena Barber will answer these questions and more. 

Deena Barber graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing in 1983. For the last 33 years she has worked in Akron, Ohio as a nurse but over the last 12 years, Deena has become a subject matter expert in adult congenital heart disease care including the natural course of congenital heart disease in adults and the challenges this unique population of survivors face.

Deena’s nursing passion is caring for adults living with congenital heart disease. As Nurse Program Coordinator, she has the privilege of managing and coordinating the specialized care of adult congenital heart patients at Akron Children’s Hospital. Tune in to hear Deena Barber discuss the natural course of congenital heart disease with Anna.