Preventive cardiology program

Heart disease can develop over a lifetime. That’s why our preventive cardiology program is designed to help improve the lives of children who are at an increased risk for heart disease.

What is preventive cardiology?

Our preventive cardiology clinic focuses on steps to help prevent the development of heart problems by minimizing the risks from abnormal cholesterol levels, high blood pressure or a significant family history of heart disease. Improving cholesterol and reducing high blood pressure during childhood helps reduce the risk for heart disease later in life.

The preventive cardiology clinic evaluates and treats children up to age 18 who have any of the following:

• Hypercholesterolemia, abnormally high levels of cholesterol in the blood
• Family history or inherited risk of heart disease or stroke
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)

What to expect from our preventive cardiology clinic

When your child comes to us, they’ll be cared for by our clinicians who specialize in pediatric cardiology and heart disease prevention.

After a thorough health evaluation, we’ll develop a personalized and comprehensive plan for your child. This can include a weight-loss component that incorporates heart-healthy eating and exercise. In many children, when weight improves, cholesterol and blood pressure also improve. We may recommend participating in the Healthy Active Living Program or counseling with a dietician.

For some children, genetic factors may play an important role and lifestyle behaviors are less of a factor. In this case, treatment with medication may be considered.