Catherine O’Hara’s death spotlights dextrocardia, a rare mirrored-heart condition

Catherine O’Hara’s death has brought attention to dextrocardia, a rare congenital condition where the heart and sometimes other organs are mirrored. Many people have no symptoms and remain undiagnosed into adulthood; diagnosis is often incidental through imaging such as echocardiograms. Care ranges from reassurance and surveillance to medications, catheter procedures, or surgery, depending on organ orientation and associated heart defects. Advances in fetal imaging have boosted early detection, and anyone concerned should consult a primary care provider or cardiologist.