Beacon For Kids: Cardiology
Cardiology Service
Our Beacon For Kids Cardiology Service delivers specialist care for children and young people with a wide range of cardiac conditions and symptoms.
Our team of expert Paediatric Cardiologists and specialist Paediatric Nurses work closely together to provide a thorough cardiac assessment and investigation for each child.
Common presenting complaints we see include:
- Murmurs
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Chest Pain or Palpitations
- Syncope
- Cyanosis
- Patients requiring cardiac assessment pre commencing medication for ADHD
- Patients requiring cardiac assessment due to family history of heart abnormalities
- Patients requiring further cardiac assessment due to previous abnormal cardiac investigations/tests
- Syndromes and genetic conditions frequently associated with cardiac problems
Investigations that may be completed in the clinic include:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Echocardiogram
- Blood Pressure
- Saturations
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Information on Cardiology Testing in Beacon For Kids
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Blood Pressure
- Your child’s consultant may ask for a blood pressure reading.
- This will be carried out by the Paediatric Nurse.
- This is a quick test that involves wrapping a cuff around your child’s arm; the cuff will inflate with air and squeeze for approximately 30 seconds and then will get looser.
- This should not hurt your child.
- Your Child will be asked to be remain still for this duration of the blood pressure reading.
- This can be helpful for your consultant to have this reading.
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Echocardiogram
- An Echocardiogram, which can also be called an Echo, is a very safe and painless investigation.
- This investigation is completed by your child’s consultant, and it is where they use ultrasound jelly and an ultrasound wand to examine the structure, valves and pumping of your child’s heart.
- This investigation usually takes 20-30 minutes.
- Generally, you may be recommended to have an Echo if your child may have a murmur, congenital heart abnormality, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, syncope, cyanosis or other related heart conditions.
- The consultant will discuss your concerns during the consultation and will discuss the results of the echo with you and your child.
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Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- When you arrive at the Cardiology clinic with your child, the Paediatric Nurse will read your child’s referral and will complete an ECG if required.
- This is a quick, painless test which looks at the electrical activity in your child’s heart.
- This test helps the cardiologist assess your child’s heart rhythm, heart rate, and helps detect if there are any abnormalities.
- This test involves placing a sticker which also is known as electrodes on each ankle, each wrist, and six on your child’s chest. These electrodes connect to the machine by wires to report on your child’s rhythm.
- For the most accurate reading, your child will be advised to stay still for a few seconds.
- An ECG is carried out if your child has symptoms like chest pain, palpitations, syncope which is also known as fainting or a family history of a cardiac condition.
- Your consultant will review the ECG in clinic with you and your child and discuss the results with you.
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Oxygen Saturations
- Oxygen Saturations is where the level of oxygen in your child’s blood is measured.
- This will usually be checked if there are concerns that your child is having cyanosis, which is usually where your child may have had episodes of blueness around the mouth.
- A sticky plaster may be wrapped around your child’s finger, or if your child is older, we may use a small clip.
- This test does not hurt and just takes a few seconds to complete.
Our Beacon For Kids Cardiology Consultants
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