CARDIOLOGY CONSULTS

A heart murmur is an extra heart sound. Sometimes the sound is caused by a hole in the heart or a valve that doesnt work properly. In most children, murmurs are innocent. It is a common referral from pediatricians and our team is here to help! The doctor will obtain a detailed history, perform a physical exam , ecg and echo and you will know the souce of the murmur by the end of the visit. 

CHD is the most common birth defect. Most critical defects that would require a procedure or operation in the first year of life are diagnosed before a baby leaves the hospital after birth. 

Non critical CHD is often diagnosed in the first year of life after a murmur is heard by the pediatrician. 

Whatever the situation, our team will help guide you and your family to ensure your child recevies the best care.

Chest pain in a child or teen can be a scary symptom. Luckily, chest pain due to the heart is rare in children but it is important to rule out a heart problem. A detailed history, physical exam, ecg and echo will be performed by the doctor to evaluate the source of the chest pain. Most often, chest pain in kids and teens is musculoskeletal, related to asthma or acid reflux.  

Feeling dizzy and "passing out" or fainting can be scary symptoms. It is important to ensure that the patient does not have an underlying abnormal heart condition. The doctor will take a detailed history, perform a physical exam, obtain an ecg and decide if an echo is necessary. 

High cholesterol can sometimes be genetic but often times it is related to poor diet and lack of exercise. While high cholesterol won't cause problems in the short term, having high cholesterol increases a child's risk in adulthood of adverse cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke. It is important to screen and identify high cholesterol in children to help families build the foundation of healthy choices into adulthood. 

Hypertension or high blood pressure is when the arteries in the body have a higher pressure than normal. Sometimes it can be due to a blockage in the heart, a chronic disease or kidney problems but most often in children it is related to obesity and poor dietary choices. High blood pressure is unlikely to cause a problem in childhood but it is associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes in adulthood. The doctor will work together with you and your child to understand blood pressure and help give you tools to promote healthier choices. Sometimes medication is needed to decrease the blood pressure.

An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm. Sometimes your pediatrician can hear extra beats during exam and will refer you. Other times a child may complain of a fast heart rate or heart skipping beats. In a more serious case, it can present with fainting in the middle of physical activity. The doctor will perform a thorough history and physical exam and obtain an ecg and usually an echo. Depending on the symptoms, a holter monitor may be ordered for a period of time and/or a stress treadmill test may be completed.

Did your child have a positive screen on a sports clearance for school? We're here to help! Keeping your child safe is our priority and with a normal cardiac evaluation most kids are cleared to play after the visit is complete. Please remember to bring your clearance form. 

Prior to starting ADHD or  mental health medication, some psychiatrists request a screening ECG. Our team does an evaluation, assesses risk and obtains an ecg. Sometimes an echo is necessary too. A copy of the ecg will be given to you at the end of your visit. 

Does heart disease run in your family? Did you or your child's other parent get diagnosed with a heart condition? We're here to help! The doctor will obtain a thorough history, physical exam, ecg and echo to determine your child's risk and hopefully give you peace of mind.

Marfan syndrome is a connective tissue disease that can affect the heart, namely the aorta and the mitral valve. If your child has Marfan syndrome or your pediatrician suspects Marfan syndrome, a cardiac evaluation is recommended. 

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an inflammatory condition that can affect the heart. It is usually triggered by a virus. Its most serious complication is dilation and/or aneurysm formation of the coronary arteries. KD is diagnosed clinically, and any child suspected to have KD should be evalauted in the ER. Kids with KD need to be admitted to the hospital and have special treatment to lower the risk of coronary artery dilation/aneurysm. The child will have an echo while they are admitted in the hospital. After discharge, it is crucial you follow-up as an outpatient to ensure the treatment plan works and the heart remains stable. 

Cardiomyopathy is an abnormality of the heart muscle. It can cause the heart not to function well or have heart muscle that is too thick or too thin. The diagnosis can run in families. Often times it is due to a genetic mutation. If your child is diagnosed with a cardiomyopathy we will partner with a cardiomyopathy center for care coordination.