By clicking “Accept”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information. View Preferences to choose specific cookie groups.
DenyAccept

Health & Lifestyle Information

Below you can find information on some of the topics we often get asked about. Remember you can talk to our Youth Workers about anything!

Contact the team

My Heart Condition

Most likely you already know you have Congenital Heart Disease as many cases are now detected before birth during an ultra sound scan. However, CHD may not diagnosed until after a baby is born with some conditions not being discovered until adulthood.
Read more

What is Transition & Transfer?

Transition is the process of preparing, planning, and moving your medical care from children’s services to adult services.
Read more

Surgery & Scars

It is reassuring to know that surgery will only be undertaken if clinically required.
Read more

Mental Health

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we manage stress, relate to others, and make healthy or unhealthy choices. Mental health is just as important as physical health at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through to adulthood.
Read more

Lifestyle

What do we mean by lifestyle? Lifestyle is the way you live your life and the decisions you make.
Read more

Exercise

Did you know that being physically active can help you be happier, sleep better, improve your skin, be more creative and that’s just a few of the benefits of exercise.
Read more

Sex

Sexual Health is about being informed and safe when engaging in any intimate contact with another person and that both parties’ consent to any sexual activity that may take place.
Read more

Drugs

When we talk about drugs, we mean the recreational and illegal kind, not drugs prescribed by your GP or medical team. Some prescribed drugs can be abused and therefore become recreational and potentially harmful when used in this way.
Read more

Smoking, Vaping and Alcohol

Both cigarettes and alcohol are legal drugs that are readily available, dependent on age, and can become addictive and harmful. Because they are legal drugs there is lots known about the side effects and impact they can have on an individual.
Read more

Pregnancy & Family Planning

During your transition journey from child to adult services you may have had conversations about pregnancy, but you may not have taken too much notice as it was so far in the future.
Read more

Money

You may have heard the phrase Money makes the world go round, or money doesn’t grow on trees, and both are true!
Read more

Other Charities

Youth at Heart are unique in South West England and South Wales as our Youth Workers have honorary contracts with University Hospitals Bristol & Weston which means we can offer one to one support for young people and their families whilst in hospital, attending clinics as well as keeping in touch at home, in the community or online e.g. WhatsApp.
Read more

Explore Youth at Heart

Youth at Heart are a charity committed to young people aged 13-24, and their families, who are living with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) in South West England and South Wales.

We empower, inform and support them to live their best life.

Contact the team

For young people

We are committed to supporting you as you start your Transition Journey aged 13 and leading up to your Transfer from Paediatrics to Adult Services and beyond, until your 25th birthday.

About young people

For the whole family

Youth at Heart recognise that congenital heart disease affects the whole family, which is why our Youth Workers are there for families too.

About families

For professionals

Youth at Heart is a charity independent from the NHS that works in partnership with health professionals across the South Wales & South West Congenital Heart Disease Network.

About professionals

Get involved

Youth at Heart rely on funds being raised through donations, grants, events and activities and for people to get involved to help us carry on our important work.

How to get involved

Our feedback

"Thank you so much for coming to see me it meant a lot. I’ve been super lonely, and it was nice having someone in that wasn’t here to poke or prod me or ask me questions about my condition."

PB, Young Person

"Thank you so much for your support with J when you came to see him in hospital, it was more help than you can know for both J and myself"

VC, Parent

"Thank you for all the support you have given me over the last few years you've helped me massively and i cannot thank you enough for everything, i'll miss you guys but i will keep you updated on my progression with uni"

GC, Young Person

"Hey, I just wanted to say thank you so much for coming to my appointment. It was really nice and useful having you there. Thank you"

SL, Young Person

"Youth at Heart are experts in what they do, what they can offer and it’s not just about supporting the patient - it’s supporting the family and seeing everyone for who they are not just a diagnosis or procedure"

FW, Parent

"Better understanding of youth culture and skills which enable sharing in a less formal and threatening interaction. The Youth Workers teach us medics/nurses what is cool!"

Consultant Cardiologist