Our Mission

The Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) is a nonprofit organization that seeks to improve the quality of life and extend the lives of adults with congenital heart defects. Through education, outreach, advocacy, and promotion of research, ACHA serves and supports the more than one million adults with congenital heart defects, their families and the medical community.

Our website, print materials, media outreach, educational events and advocacy events allow us to reach out to adults with CHD and advocate for the ACHD community. ACHA offers information directly to patients and families, and provides materials and services through health-professional members.

ACHA was founded in 1998 by a group of adult congenital heart defect survivors and their families as a national 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, and its Board of Directors continues to consist primarily of those living with heart defects. ACHA is dedicated to promoting excellence in ACHD care, and functions under the oversight of a Medical Advisory Board.