Meet Aria

When Aria was born, as shared by her mom, she was tiny but mighty. A twin, she weighed just 3 pounds, 6 ounces at birth, while her sister weighed 6 pounds, 1 ounce. After a difficult pregnancy, her family was reassured that she was healthy—just small.

But at three months old, everything changed.

After contracting the flu, Aria went into heart failure. What her family didn’t yet know was that her patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) had never closed. She was also diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve, a congenital heart defect in which the aortic valve has two leaflets instead of the usual three.

At five months old, Aria underwent surgery to close her PDA. Doctors later told her family they had gotten to it just in time. The defect was so severe that waiting much longer could have cost her life.

Today, Aria is 11 years old and thriving.

She continues to be closely monitored every six months due to a severely dilated ascending aorta and aortic root. Despite the dilation, she remains asymptomatic and full of life. Her only restrictions are avoiding contact sports and roller coasters.

Otherwise, she is simply Aria: strong, resilient, and determined.

Her journey has shaped her family’s perspective in profound ways. Through the fear and uncertainty, they have learned an important lesson to share with other heart families:

“Whenever possible, let them be kids. Don’t let this hold them back from doing what they love. Obviously listen to the doctors, but they are so strong and so resilient.”

Aria’s story is one of vigilance, gratitude, and hope. It is a reminder of how quickly life can change and how powerful early intervention can be. Most of all, it is a testament to the strength of children living with congenital heart disease and the importance of allowing them to grow, explore, and embrace childhood whenever possible.

From a fragile three-pound newborn to a fearless 11-year-old, Aria’s heart has proven stronger than anyone could have imagined.