Preparation for adult transition should begin during teenage years. Some of the transition activities may include learning that you have a ‘Fontan circulation’ and thinking about how that may require you to choose some careers over others. You will begin to meet doctors and nurses by yourself for part of your appointment and practice asking and answering questions about your health. You will begin to plan how to take care of your heart with healthy life choices (food, exercise, birth control) as well as how to navigate some unhealthy choices that often present in adolescence, such as alcohol consumption, smoking and risky activities. These conversations are good to have before trying new things and will help you to make better decisions.

Once you turn 18, your pediatric cardiologist will transfer your heart care to the adult team. This means meeting new people and leaving your pediatric team that had cared for you throughout your childhood and part of your youth. While this can be hard, it is really important that you establish a relationship with the adult team. Youth who don’t establish this relationship are more likely to experience complications and require emergency care. The transition work that you will continue to do in adult care is focused on learning more about your Fontan heart and how to take care of your health so that you are able to live your best life. Adult heart care is very ‘action orientated’ and you will be required to gradually assume more of your health care as your parents assume more of a supportive role.