When he was just 13 years old, John Gallegos had no idea he was living with a life-threatening congenital heart defect. A routine checkup with his primary care physician took a serious turn when his doctor discovered abnormally high blood pressure – spiking while John was simply sitting in the doctor’s office. This was unusual for someone his age and set off a chain of events that would ultimately change his life.
John’s doctor referred him to the Children’s Heart Institute at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, where the affiliated pediatric cardiology team conducted advanced imaging tests, including an echocardiogram and CT scan. These tests revealed the culprit: coarctation of the aorta, a congenital narrowing of the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. This narrowing typically occurs at the point in the upper chest where the aorta curves and begins to descend toward the lower body, just past the arteries that supply blood to the arms.
This severe narrowing of his main artery was forcing his heart to work harder to pump blood to the rest of his body. In John’s case, his high blood pressure was the first clear indication of how much strain the narrowing was placing on his cardiovascular system. To compensate, his body had rerouted blood through smaller vessels, creating a temporary solution that couldn’t fully address the underlying issue. Left untreated, this could have led to serious complications, such as heart failure or damage to the aorta.
“John’s condition, known as coarctation of the aorta, required immediate attention,” said Santosh Uppu, MD, a congenital cardiologist affiliated with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. “Once the diagnosis was confirmed, we knew the first step was to widen the narrowed section of his aorta as quickly as possible to reduce the stress on his heart and restore proper blood flow.”
Within weeks of his diagnosis, John underwent his first procedure: a cardiac catheterization with stent angioplasty to address the severe coarctation of the aorta. Due to the significant degree of stenosis and the risk of tear, dissection or aneurysm, a covered stent was used for added safety.
This minimally invasive intervention involved threading a catheter with a covered stent mounted atop a balloon into the narrowed section of his aorta. When inflated, the stent, deployed by the balloon, widened the artery to relieve the pressure on John’s heart and restore proper blood flow.
John’s recovery was swift, and within a week, he was back to his usual activities, following his doctors’ guidance to pace himself and avoid lifting heavy objects as his body adjusted to the reduced strain on his heart. “I felt better almost immediately after my first procedure,” John said. “It was surprising how quickly things improved. I didn’t realize how hard my heart had been working.”
The care team knew that as John grew, his cardiovascular system would continue to change, and the narrowing in his aorta would likely require further intervention. For several years, John returned for follow-up care so his doctors could monitor his growth and conduct routine imaging.
When John was in his mid-teens, a second, stronger stent was placed inside of the covered stent, and both were enlarged to account for his growth and to keep the aorta open and maintain proper blood flow. Unlike the angioplasty, the stent provided a durable, long-term solution. The decision to proceed with this step was carefully timed to coincide with a stage in his physical development where the stent would provide maximum benefit without the need for future adjustments.
“Stent placement must align with each patient’s unique anatomy, balancing immediate benefits with long-term functionality to minimize the need for repeated procedures,” said Matthew Brown, MD, a pediatric cardiologist affiliated with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. “In cases like John’s, minimally invasive cardiac catheterization avoided much more invasive open surgery. The stents used to open his aorta can be post-dilated if necessary throughout his lifetime.”
With the stents securely in place, John’s heart stabilized, allowing his care team to shift focus toward maintaining his cardiac health through proactive follow-up visits. Regular checkups confirmed the interventions continued to function as intended, while routine monitoring helped track any changes as he grew. This ongoing care not only managed his condition effectively but also laid the groundwork for his transition to adult congenital heart care.
After years of specialized pediatric care at the Children’s Heart Institute at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, John, now 18, has transitioned through the Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) Program at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular, which guides patients from pediatric to adult care. This program provides continuity while empowering young adults like John with the tools needed to manage their health independently.
The program allows specialists like Dr. Uppu, who has guided John’s care since childhood, to continue overseeing his treatment. Rather than transitioning to a new team, Dr. Uppu provides consistency and familiarity during this next phase of John’s care.
“Dr. Uppu has been with me through everything,” John shared. “From my diagnosis to my treatments and now this next stage, he’s been there the whole time. That made the transition easier and gave me confidence that I’m still in good hands.”
Accredited by the Adult Congenital Heart Association, the ACHD Program bridges the gap between pediatric and adult care, offering seamless transitions and empowering patients with resources to manage their health.
For John, this transition marks a new chapter where he feels ready to focus on his future while continuing to rely on the care that has supported him every step of the way.
John’s journey highlights the importance of precision heart care and programs that evolve with patients’ needs. “I’m so grateful for the care I’ve had throughout my life,” John reflected. “My advice to others is to listen to your body and trust your doctors. They really are here to help you get better and live your best life.”
The Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program offers comprehensive resources for individuals born with congenital heart defects, providing innovative treatments, consistent monitoring and education for patients transitioning into adulthood.
Looking ahead, John remains optimistic about his future while continuing to rely on the multidisciplinary care of the ACHD team.
Learn more about the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program »
The Children’s Heart Institute is a collaboration between the affiliated physicians at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. Typically, patients are seen on an outpatient basis at a UT Physicians clinic with all inpatient procedures performed at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital.