I am an adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) survivor.
I was born with an atrial septal defect (ASD) and have undergone two open heart surgeries (1994 and 2013). The first to implant a mechanical heart valve and a pacemaker and the latter to upgrade my hardware. Both surgeries were a scary time for my family, and a big thank you to the AHA for significant medical advancements to allow me the quality of life that I enjoy today!