Living with Dextrocardia
A condition in which the heart sits on the right side of the chest instead of the left.
Understanding Dextrocardia
It is usually present from birth. There are several types. Some types involve defects of the heart walls, nearby blood vessels, or other organs in the abdomen. Chest X-rays and echocardiograms can show which type a person has.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Heart tip pointing to the right side
- Heart differences
- Organs on the opposite side of the body (situs inversus)
- Differences in the great arteries
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include heart and blood vessel specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Heart and blood vessel specialists (cardiologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD doesn't describe a cause for this condition yet.
Also known as: dextrocardia (disease); heart in right chest; heart predominantly in right hemithorax; heart tip and four chambers point towards right side of body; right sided heart; thoracic situs inversus
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Dextrocardia.
Explore research for Dextrocardia
Explore actively recruiting Dextrocardia studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Dextrocardia with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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