Pediatric cardiologists are medical professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions in children. Here are some common issues that pediatric cardiologists may treat:
- Congenital heart defects: Pediatric cardiologists can diagnose and treat children with congenital heart defects, which are heart abnormalities present at birth.
- Arrhythmias: Pediatric cardiologists can help children with arrhythmias, which are irregular heart rhythms that can cause symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, and fainting.
- Hypertension: Pediatric cardiologists can diagnose and treat children with hypertension, or high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of heart disease later in life.
- Kawasaki disease: Pediatric cardiologists can diagnose and treat children with Kawasaki disease, a condition that causes inflammation in blood vessels throughout the body.
- Cardiomyopathy: Pediatric cardiologists can help children with cardiomyopathy, a condition that causes the heart muscle to become weak and enlarged.
- Pulmonary hypertension: Pediatric cardiologists can diagnose and treat children with pulmonary hypertension, a condition that affects the blood vessels in the lungs and can cause breathing difficulties and other symptoms.
- Syncope: Pediatric cardiologists can evaluate and treat children with syncope, or fainting, which can be caused by a variety of underlying heart conditions.
- Heart murmurs: Pediatric cardiologists can evaluate and treat children with heart murmurs, which are abnormal sounds heard during a heart exam that can indicate an underlying heart condition.
- Rheumatic heart disease: Pediatric cardiologists can diagnose and treat children with rheumatic heart disease, a complication of untreated strep throat that can cause damage to the heart valves.
- Cholesterol disorders: Pediatric cardiologists can diagnose and treat children with cholesterol disorders, which can increase the risk of heart disease later in life.