The Scarcity of ACHD Specialists
Finding an adult congenital heart disease specialist near you can be challenging because there are fewer than 500 board-certified ACHD cardiologists in the entire United States. The majority are concentrated at large academic medical centers in major metropolitan areas — meaning that millions of adults with congenital heart disease live in regions where access to subspecialty ACHD care requires long-distance travel. This access gap is one of the key reasons telemedicine has become increasingly important in the delivery of ACHD care.
How to Locate ACHD Specialists
The Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) Clinic Directory at achaheart.org is the most reliable tool for locating ACHD-board-certified physicians and ACHA-accredited ACHD programs by state or region. The ACHA directory distinguishes between accredited comprehensive ACHD programs (with full surgical, catheterization, and imaging capabilities) and individual ACHD-trained cardiologists who provide outpatient care. Congenital Heart Compass Medical PLLC provides expert ACHD telemedicine care for adults across Upstate and Western New York and coordinates with regional imaging facilities and tertiary ACHD programs when in-person procedures are needed — bringing subspecialty expertise closer to where patients live.
Reviewed by Dr. Pradeepkumar Charla, MD, MBA, FAAP, FACC
Pediatric & Adult Congenital Cardiologist — Congenital Heart Compass Medical PLLC
Last reviewed:
Medical disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified cardiologist for decisions about your congenital heart disease care.