Service evaluation of an adult congenital heart disease healthy lifestyle group

Advances in the last few decades in surgical management, and more recently interventional catheterization, in childhood mean that more than 85% of children with congenital heart defects will now survive into adulthood. In the UK and worldwide there are now more adults than children with congenital heart disease. Many are very well, maintaining a good quality of life; however, few are fully repaired or ‘cured’ with many of the interventions being palliative. Many will require several, repeat medical and/or surgical interventions. Thus most adult congenital patients have complex health needs and require life-long specialized care. There is increasing evidence that a reduced exercise capacity in people with a broad range of congenital cardiac conditions, including asymptomatic patients with simple lesions, is a common finding. This article will use a service evaluation to illustrate how an interdisciplinary approach was used in the exercise and lifestyle management of adult patients with congenital heart disease.