Dextrocardia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Dextrocardia?
A pediatric cardiologist, a children's heart doctor, usually cares for babies and children with dextrocardia. Adults may see a cardiologist, a doctor who treats heart disease. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is dextrocardia?
Dextrocardia is a condition in which the heart is pointed toward the right side of the chest. Normally, the heart points toward the left. People are born with it, so doctors call it congenital.
There are several types of dextrocardia. In the simplest type, the heart is a mirror image of the normal heart and there are no other problems. This type is rare. In the more common types, other heart defects are also present.
Symptoms
There are no symptoms of dextrocardia if the heart is normal. Conditions that may include dextrocardia can cause these symptoms:
- Bluish skin, called cyanosis.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Faltering weight, or poor weight gain.
- Fatigue, or feeling very tired.
- Yellow skin and eyes, called jaundice.
- Repeated sinus or lung infections.
Complications depend on whether dextrocardia is part of a larger syndrome.
Causes and who gets it
During the early weeks of pregnancy, the baby's heart develops. Sometimes, it turns so that it points to the right side of the chest instead of the left side. The reasons for this are unclear. A family history of the condition is a possible risk factor.
Many types of dextrocardia involve other defects of the heart and the belly area. The most common defects include these:
- Single ventricle, where there is one pumping chamber instead of two.
- Transposition of the great vessels, where the aorta and pulmonary artery are switched.
- Ventricular septal defect, a hole in the wall between the two lower chambers.
Some people with mirror-image dextrocardia have a problem with the cilia. These are fine hairs that filter the air going into the nose. This is called Kartagener syndrome.
A very serious syndrome that can appear with dextrocardia is called heterotaxy. In this condition, many of the organs are not in their usual places and may not work properly. For example, the spleen may be completely missing. The spleen helps fight germs, and babies born without it are in danger of severe bacterial infections.
How doctors diagnose it
Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask about symptoms. Tests that help diagnose dextrocardia include:
- A chest x-ray.
- A CT scan of the heart.
- An electrocardiogram, a test of the heart's electrical activity.
- An MRI of the heart.
- An echocardiogram, which shows the heart and its blood flow.
Treatment
A complete mirror image dextrocardia with no heart defects requires no treatment.
The type of treatment depends on the heart or physical problems the infant has in addition to dextrocardia. If heart defects are present with dextrocardia, the baby will most likely need surgery. The baby might also need surgery to correct problems in the organs of the belly.
Babies who are very ill may need to take medicines before they can have surgery. These medicines help the baby grow larger so surgery is easier to perform. They include water pills, called diuretics.
Children with Kartagener syndrome will need repeated treatment with antibiotics for sinus and lung infections. Children with a missing or abnormal spleen need long-term antibiotics. People with congenital heart defects need regular care from a cardiologist, a heart doctor, for life. This is true even after a repair.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if your baby gets frequent infections, does not gain weight, or tires easily. Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away if your baby has trouble breathing, a bluish color to the skin, or yellow skin.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Such a doctor can review symptoms, arrange first tests, and help you keep track of visits with heart specialists. They can also help with follow-up care over time.
Common questions
Is dextrocardia dangerous?
It depends on whether other problems are present. Babies with simple dextrocardia have a normal life expectancy and should have no problems related to the location of the heart. If other defects are present, how well the baby does depends on how severe they are.
Does dextrocardia always need treatment?
No, not always. A complete mirror image dextrocardia with no heart defects requires no treatment. If heart defects are present, the baby will most likely need surgery.
Can dextrocardia be prevented?
No, there are no known ways to prevent dextrocardia. However, avoiding the use of illegal drugs, especially cocaine, before and during pregnancy may lower the risk of this problem. Talk to your provider if you have diabetes, because it may add to the risk of certain forms of dextrocardia.
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Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
