What to Expect When Your Child Visits the Heart Clinic

Being referred to a pediatric cardiologist can feel overwhelming for parents, but many of the concerns evaluated in a heart clinic are common, not life-threatening, and often don’t require surgery or major intervention. Most evaluations can be completed during your visit, often with minimal testing.

Before Your Child’s Heart Clinic Visit

Based on your pre-registration information and the referral from your primary provider, some tests may be completed before you see the cardiologist or cardiology nurse practitioner. These may include:

• Special vital signs, like blood pressure measurements in the arms and legs or oxygen level checks (pulse oximetry)
• Electrocardiogram (ECG), which measures electrical activity in the heart
• Occasionally, tests such as a chest X-ray, echocardiogram (heart ultrasound), or exercise (treadmill) testing may also be done ahead of your visit

Preparing for an ECG:

An ECG is painless and involves placing small adhesive leads on your child’s chest, arms, and legs. To ensure a good-quality tracing, please avoid using lotions, creams, or petroleum jelly on your child’s skin the day of the visit.

What to Bring:

If your child is being seen due to a family history of heart conditions, please bring any relevant medical records from family members. These can be important in the evaluation.

During Your Visit

After a brief review of your child’s medical history, vital signs and any necessary tests will be completed. A cardiology nurse will perform an initial assessment, and then your child will be seen by the pediatric cardiologist or a cardiology nurse practitioner. Medical trainees, such as medical students, pediatric residents, or cardiology fellows, may also be involved under close supervision. The care team works together to ensure the best experience and care for your child.

The cardiologist or cardiology nurse practitioner will:

• Ask questions to confirm your child’s history
• Perform a physical exam
• Review the test results
• Recommend any further testing if needed

Additional Testing May Include:

• Echocardiogram – An ultrasound to examine heart structure, valve function, and heart muscle performance. This is often done the same day.
• Heart Monitor – If rhythm issues are suspected, your child may go home with a monitor to wear for up to 14 days.
• Exercise Testing or Imaging (CT or MRI) – These are more specialized tests and may be scheduled separately if needed.

Common Reasons for a Heart Clinic Visit

Children are referred to the pediatric cardiology clinic for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common include:

• Heart murmurs – These are sounds made by blood flowing through the heart. Most murmurs in children are harmless and need no treatment or follow-up.
• Chest pain – In children, chest pain, especially non-exertional chest pain, is rarely heart-related. Sometimes, tests are done to rule out rare cardiac causes or to check for issues like exercise-induced asthma.
• Palpitations or fast heartbeats (tachycardia) – These symptoms can be evaluated and treated if needed.
• Dizziness or fainting (syncope) – These are often not caused by heart problems and may improve with simple changes like increased fluid or salt intake.
• Cyanosis (blue lips, skin, or tongue) – This can suggest low oxygen levels and may indicate a heart problem.
• Genetic syndromes – Conditions like Down syndrome or Marfan syndrome often warrant a heart evaluation due to increased risk for cardiac issues.
• Family history of heart disease – A close relative’s history of heart problems may lead to a precautionary evaluation.

Fortunately, many children have benign (non-serious) conditions or issues that are easily managed. If a more serious condition is found, the cardiologist or cardiology nurse practitioner will guide you through the next steps, including further testing, treatment, and follow-up care.

After the Visit

At the end of your appointment, the cardiologist will explain the findings and any recommended next steps. This is your opportunity to ask questions and ensure you understand your child’s condition and care plan. We encourage you to be an active partner in your child’s healthcare.

Ongoing Care:

If follow-up appointments or additional tests are recommended, it's important to complete them to ensure your child stays healthy and receives the best care possible.