Pediatric Cardiology

When your child may need a pediatric cardiologist

Your child may be referred to our pediatric cardiology experts for a symptom, concerning exam finding, abnormal test result or known heart condition. Our cardiologists can assess the concern and determine what kind of follow-up your child needs.

Pediatric cardiology is a key part of our comprehensive Pediatric Heart Center, where heart specialists work together to provide your child with tailored, expert care.

Common reasons families come to us include:

• Abnormal results from ECG or other heart test. Our specialists interpret results alongside your child's symptoms, history and exam.

• Heart murmur. Your cardiologist can determine whether it needs further evaluation or follow-up.

• Chest pain, fainting or shortness of breath. These symptoms can have many causes, and we assess whether the heart may be involved.

• Palpitations or suspected rhythm changes. Dizziness or unusual heartbeat sensations may prompt an evaluation for a rhythm problem.

• High blood pressure or cholesterol concerns. These findings may need medical management or continued monitoring.

• Known or suspected heart condition. Our cardiologists diagnose and medically manage congenital and acquired heart disease.

• Family history or genetic risk. Heart disease in relatives or certain genetic conditions may warrant a cardiac evaluation.

Your child's cardiology care plan

Your child's cardiologist reviews symptoms, medical and family history, previous test results and other health information. After this review and an exam, we determine whether your child needs testing, treatment or continued monitoring.

The care plan may include:

• Clarifying the diagnosis. Your cardiologist determines whether further testing could help explain the concern and what the results mean.

• Medical treatment. Medication may help manage blood pressure, heart function or other conditions that don't require a procedure.

• Monitoring over time. Follow-up can track symptoms, heart function or changes related to a known condition. Monitoring enables us to detect problems early and switch to more active treatment if necessary.

• Guidance for daily life. Our recommendations address sports, exercise and other activities when symptoms or a heart condition raise questions about your child's participation.

• Specialized heart care. If your child needs focused heart expertise, their cardiologist coordinates the next steps with the appropriate pediatric heart specialists, such as a heart rhythm specialist or a heart failure and transplant specialist.