Receiving a diagnosis of heart failure for your child can be difficult. Heart failure does not mean that your child’s heart is no longer working; however, it does mean that the heart muscle is not pumping efficiently to meet your child’s body’s needs for oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood.

Your focus will be on seeking the best treatments for your child’s heart failure and managing long-term care of the condition, if necessary. You do not have to do this alone. Your child will have a pediatric heart failure care team made up of medical professionals who can help you with everything from direct treatment of the condition to support for making heart-healthy lifestyle changes to psychological/emotional support. Through your local hospital or other organizations, you can find in-person or online heart failure support groups that can connect you with people who share your experiences. Your Child's Heart Failure Care Team can introduce you to some of the medical professionals who will be able to help you through this challenging time.

Additionally, share information about your child’s heart failure diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment with trusted loved ones or friends. Accept help from those who are offering assistance. It’s okay to say "yes" to offers of help with cooking, house cleaning, lawn mowing, running errands, or whatever else you may need to allow yourself to focus on your child’s care.

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You will be focused now on helping to heal your child’s heart. Visit Heart Failure Treatment for an overview of current treatment options.