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HeartKids

Resources and Information

Resources and Information
These resources can help you learn more about childhood heart disease and assist you to make informed life and lifestyle choices.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

CHD and COVID-19 (webpage)

Information on COVID-19 for people impacted by childhood heart disease, including general advice about vaccines.

Open - CHD and COVID-19 


General Resources

The Facts (PDF)

This fact sheet provides an overview of the different types of congenital and childhood acquired heart disease, looking at some key facts and statistics.

Download - The Facts (PDF)

Also available in:

Causes (PDF)

Most cases of congenital heart defects have no known cause. Some of the known causes include genetics and environmental factors related to maternal health.

Download - Causes (PDF) 

Types of childhood heart disease

These resources explain more about the major types of heart abnormalities grouped under the term childhood heart disease, including congenital and childhood acquired heart conditions:

From the Heart (Podcast)

This podcast explores stories of Australians impacted by CHD. It is for anyone impacted by congenital or childhood heart conditions.

Go To - HeartKids Podcast (webpage) 

Easy Read Resources 

The following links take you to accessible Easy Read fact sheets. Easy Read is a writing style that includes:

  • key information
  • clear headings
  • simple language
  • large font
  • lots of white space
  • meaningful images.

HeartKids Easy Read Documents



For Parents and Carers

New diagnosis (PDF)

This fact sheet contains general information about CHD, how to manage a new diagnosis and information on how to access more support if you need it.

Download - New Diagnosis (PDF)

Also available in:

CHD and Neurodevelopment (PDF)

This brochure provides information for families on how CHD can impact development in children.

Download - CHD and Neurodevelopment (PDF)

How HeartKids can support you (PDF)

This brochure explains some of the support and services HeartKids provides to individuals and families in and out of hospital.

Download - How HeartKids Can Support You (PDF)

Kimberley Cepon's Story (Video)

Kimberley has had to navigate a mental health journey of her own since bringing her heart kid Mikaela home.

Watch video - Kimberley Cepon (YouTube) 

Starting School (PDF)

This fact sheet provides an overview of some of the things to think about when your child with CHD is starting school.

Download - Starting School (PDF)

For Young People and Adults

Growing up with a heart condition: A teenager's guide (PDF)

A booklet for teens and young people providing information about growing up with a heart condition. 

Download - Booklet (PDF)

Navigating a new CoHD diagnosis - young people and adults (PDF)

A guide for adults and young people recently diagnosed with CoHD.

Download - Navigating a new diagnosis (PDF)

Mental health and your heart (PDF)

Information for teens and young people about mental health when living with a heart condition.

Download - Mental Health (PDF)

Body image and CHD (PDF)

Information on body image for people with congenital or childhood heart conditions.

Download - Body image and CHD (PDF)

Sexual health and pregnancy (PDF)

Information on sex, contraception, pregnancy and family planning for people with congenital heart disease.

Download - Sex and Pregnancy (PDF)

Growing up with a heart condition (PDF)

Information on the different stages of transition and how to manage a heart condition during this time.

Download - Growing Up (PDF)

Alcohol and energy drinks (PDF)

Information to help young people with CHD make informed choices about alcohol and energy drinks.

Download - Alcohol (PDF)

Vaping and your heart condition (PDF)

A factsheet to help you understand the dangers of vaping with a heart condition.

Download - Vaping and your heart condition (PDF)

Exercise (PDF)

Almost everyone with CHD can benefit from exercise but it is important to speak to your doctor so that you can do it in a way that is safe and beneficial for you.

Download - Exercise (PDF)

Immunisation (PDF)

Some young people with heart conditions may need to be extra vigilant about flu shots and other preventative vaccines that are not on the standard immunisation schedule.

Download - Immunisation (PDF)

Privacy in health care (PDF)

The information in this fact sheet explains how and why you are entitled to confidential health care.

Download - Privacy (PDF)  

Travel and travel insurance (PDF)

Information on preparing for travel and trips when you have a heart condition, including tips for travel insurance.

Download - Travel (PDF)

Adulthood with your heart condition (PDF)

It is important to maintain ongoing care for your heart disease in adulthood. This fact sheet outlines some key considerations for adults.

Download - Adulthood (PDF)

Employment and your heart condition (PDF)

Information for people with childhood heart conditions about your rights and responsibilities in the workplace.

Download - Employment (PDF)

Transition stories: Kennedy Cherrington (Video)

Kennedy Cherrington is an NRLW player and a heart kid. Learn about Kennedy's journey to managing her life and heart condition independently, and what advice she has for other young heart kids.

Watch - Kennedy Cherrington (YouTube) 

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

CHD and RHD - New Diagnosis

Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families who have a child with a heart condition.

Download - New Diagnosis (PDF)

Dental and Oral Care - RHD (PDF)

Information for young people on looking after their teeth and RHD. 

Download - Dental and Oral Care (PDF) 

How do you keep your heart healthy and strong? (Video)

Four teens at the HeartKids Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Teen Camp in 2021 share their thoughts.

Watch - Teen Camp 2021 (YouTube) 

Davina and Paul's Story (PDF)

Davina Quartermaine talks about her family's journey with grandson Paul.

Download - Davina and Paul's Story (PDF) 

Mahli-May and the Mooney Family's Story (PDF)

Clinton and Monique Mooney talk about their family's journey with daughter Mahli-May.

Download - Mahli-May's Story (PDF) 

Mandela and Myles Yu's Story (PDF)

Mandela talks about her CHD journey with son Myles.

Download - Mandela's Story (PDF) 

Translated Resources

Arabic
  • The Facts (PDF): An overview of the different types of CHD
  • New Diagnosis (PDF): General information on managing a new CHD diagnosis and how to access support
  • Causes (PDF) - Most cases of congenital heart defects have no known cause. Some of the known causes include genetics and environmental factors related to maternal health.
  • Growing Up (PDF) - Information on the different stages of transition and how to manage a heart condition during this time.
Cantonese
  • Causes (PDF) - Most cases of congenital heart defects have no known cause. Some of the known causes include genetics and environmental factors related to maternal health.
  • Growing Up (PDF) - Information on the different stages of transition and how to manage a heart condition during this time.
  • New Diagnosis(PDF) : General information on managing a new CHD diagnosis and how to access support
  • The Facts (PDF): An overview of the different types of CHD
Filipino (Tagalog)
  • The Facts (PDF): An overview of the different types of CHD
  • New Diagnosis (PDF): General information on managing a new CHD diagnosis and how to access support
  • Causes (PDF) - Most cases of congenital heart defects have no known cause. Some of the known causes include genetics and environmental factors related to maternal health.
  • Growing Up (PDF) - Information on the different stages of transition and how to manage a heart condition during this time.
Hindi
  • The Facts (PDF): An overview of the different types of CHD
  • New Diagnosis (PDF): General information on managing a new CHD diagnosis and how to access support
  • Causes (PDF) - Most cases of congenital heart defects have no known cause. Some of the known causes include genetics and environmental factors related to maternal health.
  • Growing Up (PDF) - Information on the different stages of transition and how to manage a heart condition during this time.
Italian
  • Causes (PDF) - Most cases of congenital heart defects have no known cause. Some of the known causes include genetics and environmental factors related to maternal health.
  • Growing Up (PDF) - Information on the different stages of transition and how to manage a heart condition during this time.
  • New Diagnosis (PDF): General information on managing a new CHD diagnosis and how to access support
  • The Facts (PDF) : An overview of the different types of CHD
Mandarin
  • The Facts (PDF): An overview of the different types of CHD
  • New Diagnosis (PDF): General information on managing a new CHD diagnosis and how to access support
  • Causes (PDF) - Most cases of congenital heart defects have no known cause. Some of the known causes include genetics and environmental factors related to maternal health.
  • Growing Up (PDF) - Information on the different stages of transition and how to manage a heart condition during this time.
Nepali
  • Causes (PDF) - Most cases of congenital heart defects have no known cause. Some of the known causes include genetics and environmental factors related to maternal health.
  • Growing Up (PDF) - Information on the different stages of transition and how to manage a heart condition during this time.
  • New Diagnosis (PDF): General information on managing a new CHD diagnosis and how to access support
  • The Facts (PDF) - An overview of the different types of CHD
Punjabi
  • Causes (PDF) - Most cases of congenital heart defects have no known cause. Some of the known causes include genetics and environmental factors related to maternal health.
  • Growing Up (PDF) - Information on the different stages of transition and how to manage a heart condition during this time.
  • New Diagnosis (PDF) - General information on managing a new CHD diagnosis and how to access support
  • The Facts (PDF) - An overview of the different types of CHD
Swahili
  • The Facts (PDF): An overview of the different types of CHD
  • New Diagnosis (PDF): General information on managing a new CHD diagnosis and how to access support
  • Causes (PDF) - Most cases of congenital heart defects have no known cause. Some of the known causes include genetics and environmental factors related to maternal health.
  • Growing Up (PDF) - Information on the different stages of transition and how to manage a heart condition during this time.
Vietnamese
  • The Facts (PDF): An overview of the different types of CHD
  • New Diagnosis (PDF): General information on managing a new CHD diagnosis and how to access support
  • Causes (PDF) - Most cases of congenital heart defects have no known cause. Some of the known causes include genetics and environmental factors related to maternal health.
  • Growing Up (PDF) - Information on the different stages of transition and how to manage a heart condition during this time.
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HeartKids
02 9460 7450
office@heartkids.org.au
PO Box 2037, North Parramatta, NSW, 1750

HeartKids pays its respects to the Traditional Owners across the lands on which we work and live, and acknowledge their Elders past, present and emerging.

Endorsement as a deductible gift recipient under Subdivision 30-BA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997: HeartKids Limited, Charity ABN: 22 613 854 336. All donations above $2 are tax deductible in Australia.

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