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 combined with high lipids
  • 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:

Research

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.

Contact us

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