Pediatric Cardiology

Pediatric Cardiology

A pediatric cardiologist consultation is typically requested by your primary physician when he or she determines that your child may have a heart condition or cardiac related illness. This may also include situations when you feel you want a second opinion or your regular physician suggests the same.

Many times a parent or family member may hear about our services and want to schedule an appointment or “Self-Refer” themselves or a family member. This is also accepted and we will assist with any needed authorizations from your insurance or primary care office.

A pediatric cardiologist is a doctor that specializes in diagnosing and treating heart conditions.  These conditions include those a infant is born with or “congenital cardiac defects: (CHD) which are fully explained in the Patient Education Library.

Your Primary Care doctor may hear a “Heart Murmur” which is very common and you should not worry.  However sometimes “murmurs” can be an undetected congenital defect or “Hole in the Heart” . 

Your Pediatric Cardiologist is also experienced at Preventive Cardiology screening and detection of early “Cardiovascular Risk Factors” which are personal health conditions that may place you at risk for more serious heart disease. These include: Obesity,  High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure or Type II Diabetes. You are also at increased CV risk if you have a family member with one of these conditions or especially someone who died before age 55 years old of a Heart Attack, Stroke or other complications of Type II Diabetes scu as Kidney Failure.

Your child, your older family member or yourself while visiting us will complete a full personal and family medical history, and have a complete initial pediatric/adult cardiology consultation.  This starts with taking “Vital Signs” including Height, Weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), Blood Pressure in two arms and sometimes a finger stick for spot labs (sugar and cholesterol). You or they will have a chance to talk to the doctor and tell him what your concerns are.  He will complete a physical examination, review your labs and personal and family history and any patient records you may have brought.  This will help the doctor decide if any other diagnostic testing is needed  such as an echocardiogram. 

After all tests are complete, your cardiologist will sit with you , explain any abnormal findings you, your child or family member may have, answer all your questions and  help you understand the treatment options, the risks involved and what preventive steps you may take to reduce your chances  of heart disease.