Monitoring and observation

Monitoring and observation is often the first line of treatment for many people whose heart defect(s) are not severe and do not cause significant symptoms. For example, a person with a bicuspid aortic valve may be monitored for several years until symptoms develop and additional treatment is recommended. Monitoring involves regular checkups and evaluation of the defect by a cardiologist who specializes in congenital heart disease. Eventually most congenital heart defects will need treatment beyond monitoring, so it is critical for patients to continue seeing their cardiologist on a regular basis even if, for the time being, they are not receiving other treatments.

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