05/15/2026
This is what wyatt has. They removed his aortic valve due to the narrowing. If you look at the symptoms, it says usually babies are underweight and small. Wyatt was tiny when he was born but he gained weight really quick which could be part of the reason we didnt know it could be that.
Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA) is a congenital heart defect where part of the aorta, the body’s main artery, is narrower than it should be. This narrowing makes it harder for blood to flow from the heart to the rest of the body, causing the heart to work extra hard.
The severity of CoA depends on how severe the narrowing is, thus it is considered a critical CHD. It is also one of the more common heart defects and often occurs with other CHDs.
Some babies show symptoms early, while others may not be diagnosed until childhood or even adulthood. Signs can include:
❤️ Trouble feeding or poor growth in infants
❤️ Fast breathing or fatigue
❤️ High blood pressure
❤️ Cold feet or leg pain
❤️ Headaches or nosebleeds in older children and adults
No matter what age the coarctation is diagnosed, the narrow aorta will need to be widen once symptoms are present. This is typically done one of two ways: a balloon angioplasty or through surgery.
Prognosis for CoA varies based on severity and presence of other defects. After surgery, children with a coarctation of the aorta often have high blood pressure that is treat with medication. Children and adults with CoA require lifelong care through follow-ups with a cardiologist.
Congenital heart defects like CoA remind us why awareness, research, and support matter. Early diagnosis can make a life-changing difference. 💙
