What is
Childhood-onset Heart Disease (CoHD)?
Childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD) is the term used to describe the range of heart conditions that impact people from birth or develop during childhood.
Some heart conditions are present from birth and are known as congenital heart disease. Others develop later in childhood and are known as acquired heart disease, often following illness or infection.
Condition Types
Aortic Valve Disease
Atrial Septal Defect
Atrio-ventricular Septal Defect (AVSD)
Cardiomyopathy
Coarctation of the Aorta
Cyanotic Congenital disease
Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome (HRHS)
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HlHS)
Mitral Valve Disease
Persistent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
Pulmonary Atresia
Pulmonary Valve Disease
Single Ventricle Pathology
Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF)
Pulmonary Stenosis
Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA)
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
What We Do
HeartKids is the only Australian charity dedicated to providing lifelong support, resources, and advocacy for the 250,000 people impacted by childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD). We provide connection and care informed by lived-experience to ensure no one faces this journey alone.
Our Support
CoHD is a lifelong journey, and so is HeartKids’ support. Our teams, many with lived experience, offer emotional and practical care, tailored to milestones like diagnosis, schooling, and adulthood, ensuring families and individuals receive expert guidance at every stage.
Our Impact
For nearly 50Â years, HeartKids has provided much-needed quality services, support and solutions to more than 250,000 Australian children, teenagers and adults impacted by CoHD.
Our Resources
HeartKids provides trusted information and resources about CoHD. Our resource library is a one-stop-shop for all our CoHD resources, including fact sheets, podcasts, videos and more.
How You Can Help
Give to HeartKids
Your heartfelt gift will bring hope and transformation to over 250,000 Australians living with CoHD. Discover the ways to give and get involved today.
Community Fundraising
Find your passion and get involved in making a lasting difference in the lives of those impacted by CoHD. Discover our engaging community programs today.Â
Get Your Work Involved
Discover how to get your workplace involved in transforming the lives of those living with CoHD today.Â
Volunteer With Us
We greatly appreciate the gift of your time as we unite to support those living with CoHD. Explore the many ways you can volunteer with HeartKids. Â
Latest News and Stories
Audrey’s Story
This October, Audrey and her family will join the HeartKids community at the Adelaide Two Feet & A Heartbeat walk. Audrey was diagnosed with congenital heart disease at 16 weeks gestation and underwent her first open-heart surgery at just four days old. Her mum, Lauren, reflects on their journey, the challenges of navigating care across […]...
Emilia’s Story
This October, Emilia and her family will join the HeartKids community at the Geraldton Two Feet & A Heartbeat walk. Emilia was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot at her 20-week anatomy scan, leading to specialist care throughout pregnancy, two heart surgeries and months of close monitoring. Now thriving at home following her full heart repair, […]...
Levi’s Story
Levi was just one day old when a detected heart murmur led to the diagnosis of childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD). At 11 days old, he underwent life-saving heart surgery, followed by 24 nights in hospital far from his family’s home in Broome, WA. Levi’s mum, Rosalyn, reflects on their journey, the challenges of navigating care […]...
Willow’s Story
This October, Willow and her family will be part of the HeartKids Two Feet & A Heartbeat campaign. Her mum, Kimberley, shares the story of her four-year-old daughter and their family’s journey through diagnosis, open-heart surgery, recovery and the ongoing realities of childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD), as well as the support they have found through […]...
Eleanor’s Story
This October, Eleanor and her family will join the HeartKids community at the Ballarat Two Feet & A Heartbeat walk. Eleanor was diagnosed with a complete Atrio-ventricular Septal Defect (AVSD) at her 20-week scan and has undergone two open-heart surgeries, the first at just 6.5 weeks old. Eleanor’s mum, Emma, shares their family’s journey through […]...
Amelie’s Story
This October, Amelie and her family will be part of the HeartKids Two Feet & A Heartbeat campaign. Amelie was diagnosed with a critical congenital heart defect at just 24 hours old and underwent life-saving open-heart surgery at three days old. Her mum, Sharon, shares their journey, the ongoing challenges they continue to face and […]...
Tasman’s Story
This October, Tasman and his family will join the HeartKids community at the Hobart Two Feet & A Heartbeat walk. His dad, Jamie, shares their family’s journey and reflects on the support they received from HeartKids during some of their most challenging moments. Can you tell us about Tasman’s heart journey? Tasman is the youngest […]...
Jack’s Story
This October, Jack and his family will join the HeartKids community at the Canberra Two Feet & A Heartbeat walk. Jack spent his first week of life in the NICU in Canberra, where he underwent a series of scans and tests before being diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot. Jack’s mum, Nicole, shares her son’s journey […]...
Joshua’s Story
This October, Joshua and his family will join the HeartKids community at the Melbourne Two Feet & A Heartbeat walk. Joshua was diagnosed with several congenital heart defects before he was born, including the complex condition Hypoplastic left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). What followed was a challenging start to life, involving three open-heart surgeries, 111 days in hospital, […]...
Alexis’ story
Alexis was unexpectedly diagnosed with childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD) shortly after she was born. What followed was a long journey involving three open-heart surgeries in just 14 days, a mechanical valve, a pacemaker and 99 nights in hospital. Now 12, Alexis continues to amaze her family with her strength. Her mum, Hannah, shares their journey […]...
