Many people who were treated for heart problems as children aren't getting the specialized care they need as adults. And that concerns Stephen L. Kopecky, M.D., a Mayo Clinic cardiologist.

Congenital heart diseases (CHD) are defects that are present at birth, occurring when your heart or the blood vessels near your heart don't develop normally. CHD can include defective vessels, leaky valves, a hole in the heart or missing heart chambers.

Each year, 40,000 children are born with congenital heart diseases. Improved treatments and success in managing these conditions in children means that more survive into adulthood. In fact, today 1.4 million adults live with CHD.

Unfortunately, many of these people don't get the care they need in adulthood.

Dr. Kopecky says there are a variety of reasons for this. Many may believe they were "cured" as children. Or they may believe that since their condition wasn't severe enough to treat in childhood, they don't need follow-up care as adults.

But it's important that adults stay on top of heart health and receive specialized care if they have CHD.

Here's what Dr. Kopecky says adults should know about congenital heart disease.

Congenital heart disease requires lifelong care

There are several reasons you should continue to receive specialized care into adulthood if you have CHD.

• Having CHD increases your risk of developing certain medical conditions, like pulmonary hypertension, heart rhythm problems and congestive heart failure.
• Heart conditions can worsen later in life, even if they weren't severe enough to treat in childhood.
• Childhood treatments can lose their effectiveness.
• CHD can impact other areas of your life and health, including pregnancy, liver and kidney disease, and mental health.

Checking in with your family doctor is not enough

While it's good to keep your primary doctor informed of any signs and symptoms, you should also partner with a cardiologist who specializes in congenital heart diseases.

Childhood treatment is not a cure

Dr. Kopecky says that even if you had successful treatment as a child, you need continued care in adulthood.

For some people, this simply means scheduling regular appointments with a cardiologist to monitor heart health. Your doctor can explain how to best care for your particular condition, and tell you what red flags to watch for. He or she can recommend diet, exercise and lifestyle choices to help prevent future problems.

For some, medical interventions or surgery may be necessary to manage or repair the defect.

People who don't continue care are more likely to experience problems. So talk to your doctor about a care plan that's best for you.

Symptoms can appear later in life

Watch for shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, abnormal heart rhythms, unexplained weight loss and discomfort in your abdomen that could indicate fluid buildup. These are all signs that something could be going on.

If you do experience these signs and symptoms, or anything outside the norm, call your doctor. It's perfectly acceptable to check in just to ask, "Is this normal or is there something else going on here?"

You may need to take it easy

Even if your congenital heart condition was corrected in childhood, you still need to be aware of the things that make your heart work harder. "Your heart already beats 100,000 times a day," says Dr. Kopecky. "And little things can add up to make it work even harder."

Talk to your cardiologist about things that may put added strain on your heart, like intense exercise, lifting (especially heavy lifting) or activities that cause excess strain, like some construction jobs.

For women, it's important to talk with your cardiologist if you plan to become pregnant. Pregnancy can stress your heart — so depending on your particular condition, you may need to take some extra precautions.

It's important to adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle

People with CHD should make lifestyle choices that contribute to heart health. Dr. Kopecky recommends:

• Adopting a healthy, plant-based diet. The Mediterranean diet is a good choice.
• Staying active. Daily physical activity is a vital component for heart health.
• Managing stress. Practice stress management techniques, like deep breathing, yoga or meditation.
• Getting enough sleep. Proper sleep is as important as a healthy diet.
• Staying away from cigarettes and alcohol.