If your child has a heart-related problem, he or she will be seen by one of our Pediatric Cardiologists. A Pediatric Cardiologist is a physician who has been specially trained to detect and treat heart disease in children.

There are two types of pediatric heart disorders:

• Congenital heart disorders, which are disorders that are present at birth and have been caused by a problem with the baby's heart during development
• Acquired heart disease, which can develop at any stage of life and can be caused by such conditions as hypertension, infections, or abnormal heartbeats

Children can be referred to a Pediatric Cardiologist when they experience a heart murmur, palpitations (awareness of his or her heartbeat), or fainting. If your child needs to see one of our Pediatric Cardiologists, you can rest assured that he or she is in good hands. The Pediatric Cardiologist will evaluate your child, which could include tests such as an:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG), which looks at the heart's electrical system
• Echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to create an image of the heart

After the evaluation, the Pediatric Cardiologist will fully explain your child's condition and recommend a course of treatment. Treatment can include monitoring, medication, or surgical procedures.

Heart disease can be scary, especially when your child is involved. Our Pediatric Cardiologists will be with you every step of the way, working to make sure that your child receives the best care, in a compassionate environment.

For a list of Bon Secours pediatric subspecialists click here.