subject: Finding A Cardiologist For Your Teenager [print this page] Because hospitals do not routinely do heart ultrasounds, some congenital heart defects can be missed until your child goes through puberty. Some congenital defects may necessitate heart surgery for your teenager. It will depend on the extent of the problem. Whatever the case, it is important that you go to your primary care physician if your teenager is having chest pains. You should insist on getting a referral to a pediatric cardiologist.
Some doctors are not worriers. Some try to assume the least case scenario rather than the worst. This is not necessarily a bad thing because most of the time it probably will not be the worst. When it comes to the heart however, it is important to get things checked out. Puberty is a time when problems can come up with congenital defects. Growth spurts happen at this time and can cause pain, but they can also affect the heart a great deal. If your doctor says there is nothing to worry about, you should at the very least ask him or her to order an ultrasound to be done there in the office or at the hospital. It would be better however, to be referred to a pediatric cardiologist.
There are traits that you should consider if you are looking at having your child go to a cardiologist. Teenagers can be a strange breed. It is important that the specialist you choose knows how to deal with them. A good specialist should be able to put them at ease and be able to knowledgeably tell them as well as you what is going on.
An ultra-serious cardiologist might not be the best option for a teenager. A lot will depend on your specific child. You know him or her best, so you should be able to best figure out who would be good for your child. If you have the time, take it to meet with a couple of pediatric specialists before making a final decision.
This can be a serious situation. If your teenager continues to have chest pains, discomfort or shortness of breath, do not put it off calling it growing pains. Insist on a getting a referral immediately. At that point, the situation may be serious enough to not be concerned about good and bad traits in a specialist. The main thing will be getting your child the help he or she needs. After an initial diagnosis is made, you can begin looking at other specialists to see if there is one you would prefer for your child.
