Preventive Cardiology for Children

The goal of the Preventive Cardiology Program at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is to reduce premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) in select high-risk children.

We aim to help kids with:

• Common CVD risk factors.
• High-risk health conditions. 
• Congenital or acquired heart and vascular anomalies that make the young heart’s artery walls more at risk for rapid hardening. 

How Do I Know if My Child is at Risk for Heart Disease?

Risk factors for CVD:

• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol or fats (lipids) in the blood

High-risk conditions

• Diabetes
• Chronic kidney disease
• Chronic inflammatory conditions

Lipids

Kids with:

• Inherited high levels of blood cholesterol (theFHfoundation.org)
• Obesity-related dyslipidemias (Combined Dyslipidemia of Obesity)
• High levels of lipoprotein(a) 

Hypertension (HTN)

• White coat HTN
• Essential HTN

We take a team approach to diagnose and treat your child’s heart disease, working with other experts at UPMC Children's Hospital, including:

• Endocrine Wellness
• Nutrition Counseling
• The HTN Clinic
• Hepatology
• Child and Family Counseling Center

Research

• Center for Pediatric Research in Obesity and Metabolism (CPROM)

Referral Requirements for Preventive Heart Care

We require referrals from primary care doctors or other UPMC Children’s Hospital specialists for preventive heart care. If you're enrolled in a managed care insurance plan, you may need approval from both your insurer and doctor.

We must receive all required forms before your child's visit.

Telemedicine Visits

The Preventive Cardiology Program offers telemedicine visits for new and returning patients. These video visits can be scheduled through the MyCHP portal.

Contact us

For up-to-date provider numbers, appointments, or more details, call one of our locations.