Bridgett e Porter plays with her daughter, Brynn, who was born with a hole in her heart. The Porters were thankful to get Brynn’s heart care at Western Baptist without having to travel to a larger city.

Their daughter, Brynn, was born with a hole in her heart, one of the most common congenital heart defects. Brynn’s pediatrician, David Schell, M.D., discovered the problem before she left the hospital.

“We were scared and confused at first,” said Bridgette, “but Dr. Schell explained the problem to us and told us Brynn’s prognosis was great.”

Brynn had a hole between the right and left ventricles of her heart. The abnormality, called a ventricular septal defect, usually develops before birth and is most often found in infants.

Treatment varies. In 20 to 25 percent of all ventricular septal defect cases, the defect closes on its own—without medical intervention—by age 3. During a recent appointment, the Porters were thankful to learn that Brynn was part of that statistic.

Keeping appointments with a pediatric cardiologist to monitor the child’s heart is especially important. Western Baptist Hospital partners with Pediatric Cardiology Associates of Louisville to provide monthly clinics at Western Baptist, so parents do not have to travel great distances for medical care.

“When we learned that we wouldn’t have to travel to a larger city like Louisville or Nashville for Brynn’s care, we were relieved and comforted,” said Bridgette. “During a time when your child’s health is your main priority, you don’t want or need the added stress of a long commute to an unfamiliar facility.”

Today, Brynn is busy being a toddler while her parents try to keep up with her. They’re thankful that Western Baptist keeps up with the needs of the region’s patients and brings the healthcare they need home to them.

Western Baptist features heart-healthy information just for kids on its new Online Heart Care Center at westernbaptist.com/heart. Click on the “Caring for Our Kids” link for tips on talking to your kids about not smoking, making exercise part of their daily routine and eating healthy.