Living with Tetralogy of Fallot
A heart defect present at birth that combines four heart differences and can lower oxygen levels in the blood.
Understanding Tetralogy of Fallot
The four features are a large hole between the lower heart chambers (ventricular septal defect), a narrowed valve and artery to the lungs (pulmonary stenosis), an aorta that sits over both lower chambers (overriding aorta), and a thicker than usual right ventricle muscle. The condition lowers oxygen in the blood and can cause a bluish-purple skin color (cyanosis). It may be found during pregnancy or after birth.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD describes these features:
- Bluish-purple skin color (cyanosis)
- Low oxygen levels in the blood
- Hole between the lower heart chambers
- Narrowed valve and artery to the lungs
- Aorta shifted over both lower chambers
- Thicker muscle in the right lower chamber
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.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Adult Congenital Heart Association may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Heart and blood vessel specialists (cardiologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Adult Congenital Heart Association
- 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 Adult Congenital Heart Association and other patient organizations
- 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 says the cause of this condition is unknown.
Also known as: fallot's tetralogy; subpulmonic stenosis, ventricular septal defect, overriding aorta, and right ventricular hypertrophy; tetrology of fallot; tof; tof - tetralogy of fallot; ventricular septal defect with pulmonary stenosis or atresia, dextraposition of aorta, and hypertrophy of right ventricle
Patient organizations
- Adult Congenital Heart AssociationTetralogy of Fallot · United States
- Mended HeartsTetralogy of Fallot · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Tetralogy of Fallot.
Explore research for Tetralogy of Fallot
Explore actively recruiting Tetralogy of Fallot studies with HealthSpark.
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- 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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