Believe In Your Heart Foundation

10/13/2026

What is a heart valve and why is it important?
Your heart has 4 valves- Aortic, Pulmonary, Mitral and Tricuspid. Each heart valve has two functions:

-To open correctly so blood can enter into or empty from a chamber
-To close properly so blood doesn’t flow back into the area it came from

If one of your heart valves does not work properly, this can affect blood flow. One type of valve disease, called regurgitation, occurs when the leaflets of the valve do not work properly. This allows the blood to flow in the wrong direction. The other type of valve disease occurs when the leaflets of the valve narrow, which makes it more difficult for blood to flow forward. This is called stenosis. Lastly, there can also be atresia, which is when a valve is missing entirely.

Does your CHD diagnosis involve any of the heart valves? Which ones? Share below and help us spread CHD Awareness!

10/12/2026

For the last 6 years, we have funded over $150,000 of congenital heart disease research at Boston Children’s Hospital. We specifically have been funding valve replacement research in the pediatric population. From the lab to clinical trials, overtime we have gotten to see the impact research has made. None of this would have been possible without YOUR donations!!! THIS IS WHY WE CREATED THIS FOUNDATION. To impact the life of just one heart child is HUGE, but the lives of so many?!? We’re forever grateful to be apart of what’s happening at B*H and how it’s going to change lives.
Pictured is the Autus Valve, invented at Boston Children’s! Instead of having invasive replacement surgeries every few years, as is the practice now, a child can have the valve fitted to their individual body size and, if needed, adjusted for size through a minimally-invasive transcatheter balloon dilation procedure to help maintain blood flow. They potentially wouldn’t need another replacement procedure until adulthood.
We’re so excited to see what else will be created for the future of our CHD patients! As Boston Children’s says, “until every child is well.” We also won’t stop raising CHD Awareness and funding research until every child is well. To donate, see link in bio 🥰

10/10/2026

Today is World Mental Health Day. ❤️
Navigating a heart condition, recovering from medical treatment, or supporting a loved one with heart disease takes a heavy emotional toll.
We urge you to take care of yourself, share your experiences, and seek support from healthcare professionals, family, or specialized mental health services if you feel overwhelmed.
CHD can feel so heavy, you do not have to carry it alone ❤️

10/08/2026

Are you a CHD warrior or a parent of a child with CHD? We’d love to hear your story and feature your warrior on our page! Send us a message if you are interested! We love spreading CHD awareness and connecting with our heart community! ❤️🥰

10/08/2026

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10/07/2026

Let’s talk about dental health and how CHD can impact it! 🦷
Children and adults with congenital heart defects (CHD) face a significantly higher risk of poor oral health, tooth decay, gum disease, and a life-threatening heart infection called infective endocarditis (IE).

Some of the Key Risks for CHD Patients are:

• Enamel and Tooth Defects: Many children with CHD experience abnormal tooth formation, enamel hypoplasia (weakened or softened tooth enamel), or microdontia (abnormally small teeth) due to early medical stress or oxygen differences during development.
• Sweetened Medications: Liquid cardiac and pediatric medications are often high in sugar and dry out the mouth (causing dry mouth or reduced saliva), which accelerates cavity growth.
• Bacteremia and Endocarditis: Bleeding gums or untreated cavities allow oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream (bacteremia). These bacteria can settle on abnormal heart valves, patches, or shunts, leading to infective endocarditis—a dangerous heart infection.

It’s very important to make sure your heart warrior gets regular dental care! Make sure to check with your cardiologist if your child needs pre-dental antibiotics called in before a dental appointment!

10/05/2026

It’s Scary Season but we aren’t talking about Halloween! Having a CHD or parenting a child with CHD can feel SO SCARY! 😞
Why does CHD feel so frightening? Many are first diagnosed having no symptoms, which makes the diagnosis a shock.
Many patients and parents live with the constant anxiety that a routine checkup or surgery will pivot into an unforeseen complication or emergency. Multiple open-heart surgeries, long hospital stays, cardiac catheterizations, and invasive procedures create lasting fear and hyper-vigilance.
Studies show that rates of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), severe anxiety, and depression are higher in the CHD community—affecting both patients and caregivers.
Kids and adults with CHD often have to limit physical activity, take frequent rest breaks, or carry medical passes, which can make them feel socially isolated or misunderstood by peers.

We don’t want you to feel scared! We are a COMMUNITY and we are here to be the light in the dark times!

What’s one way you’ve overcome a fear that arose from CHD?

Let’s help each other be brave! 🥰

10/02/2026

This is AMAZING!

Today, we approved the first heart valve device designed to grow with children. The Autus Size-Adjustable Valve, a surgically implanted pulmonary heart valve for pediatric patients with congenital pulmonary valve disease can be expanded after surgery to keep pace with growth. The adjustable valve may mean fewer repeat surgeries for children as they get older.

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-heart-valve-designed-grow-children

Congenital heart defects are among the most common types of birth defects in the United States, affecting about 1 in every 100 births. The valve was approved through the premarket approval pathway, the FDA's most rigorous review process for medical devices.

09/30/2026

Last week, the 6th Annual Austin D. Schneider Memorial Golf Outing was held! This outing has supported our congenital heart disease research for many years now, and we are so grateful 🥹 An amazing time was had by all- memories made, golf played, dinner, and of course fun. What an honor it is for us to be involved in such a wonderful and heart warming event year after year! ❤️What a special way to honor Austin. We are just beyond grateful to everyone who worked to make this happen and those who attended!

09/29/2026

A couple statistics from the World Heart Federation
- 1 in 3 people globally pass away from CVD.
-50% of babies who have CHD go undiagnosed at birth.
These stats tell us how important it is to be able to recognize the sometimes subtle signs of heart trouble. It is so important to be screened regularly for factors that contribute to heart disease that are often silent- blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol in teens and adults. Heart health matters at every age though, and is different in each population. Newborn screenings should always include oxygen saturation, and children should have cardiovascular check ups as they grow and especially before athletics.