How long will my appointment last?
The general evaluation for most problems is 30 minutes. Depending on the studies that your physician orders, such as an echocardiogram, it may take up to one hour.
What should I bring to my appointment?
If you have papers or reports from previous physicians, you may bring these. Also you may download our routine paperwork from our "About Our Practice" page on this website.
For infants and toddlers, a favorite toy or DVD may be helpful for distraction during studies performed in the office. Bottles and pacifiers are also helpful in this regard
What do I need to do on the day of the appointment?
Since we use small stickers for many of the studies (EKG, echocardiogram), please do not use oils or lotions on your child's skin the day of the visit.
You may download our routine paperwork and complete it before your visit to expedite the visit. These are found on the "About Our Practice" tab on this website.
What should I wear to the appointment?
Since many of our patients have an echocardiogram as part of the workup, the following should be considered: Girls should wear a 2-piece outfit, rather than a dress; infants may wear outfits that provide easier access to the chest, such as front- or side-snap outfits. Older children may wish to wear appropriate shoes and clothing for running, in the event a stress treadmill test is performed.
Do I need to fast before my appointment?
Generally, you do not need to fast before an appointment. For some tests like the tilt table test, it is preferable that your child not eat in the morning.
What is a heart murmur?
A murmur is only a sound heard during examination with a stethoscope. Murmurs are very common and frequently normal. Some murmurs may be from abnormalities in the heart (holes in the heart, abnormal valves).
If your child has a normal murmur, it may be called a "flow murmur," "innocent murmur," or "benign murmur."
Presbyterian Pediatric Cardiology
