Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart. As a baby develops during pregnancy, the left side of the heart does not form correctly. Ava Weitl, now a first grader, was born with HLHS. She had her first heart surgery the day she was born. Now she is part of pioneering research at Mayo Clinic.

On this episode of Mayo Clinic Q&A, Ava and Dr. Timothy Nelson, director of the Todd and Karen Wanek Family Program for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome at Mayo Clinic, will share her story.