Pediatric Cardiology
The heart is one of the most important organs– pumping blood and oxygen throughout the body. Caring for a child’s heart is different from caring for an adult. Congenital (present at birth) heart disease can affect young children, adolescents or baby in the womb. At MercyOne, we have the experts that recognize that pediatric care must embrace the extended family to lessen the anxiety on both the child and their support system as well as providing the most comprehensive health care for your child.
Pediatric cardiologists at MercyOne work collaboratively with our experts across the system with services in Des Moines, Waterloo and Dubuque. They provide personalized care for your child to keep them living their best life.
When to see a pediatric cardiologist
The heart is complex. Symptoms can vary depending on what disease or defect is affecting the heart, but there are some red flags parents should be aware of and how to know when it’s time to see a provider.
Infants
- Issues gaining weight
- Sweating during feeding
- Unable to finish bottle or taking longer than normal to finish
Children/Adolescents
- Chest pain while exercising
- Fainting while exercising or at rest
If you notice any of these signs, you should contact your child’s provider to schedule an appointment.
Conditions
Our experts diagnose and treat all types of heart diseases and related conditions in children such as:
- Comprehensive assessment of murmurs
- Congenital heart defects
- Fetal heart disease
- Acquired heart disease (such as cardiomyopathies, Kawasaki disease, etc.)
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Adolescent cardiology
