Preventive Heart Tests

We may refer patients to our UT Southwestern pediatric sports cardiologist, who will do a more comprehensive evaluation to determine the risk of a potential heart problem. These cardiac specialists have expert experience managing rarer, more complex cardiac cases in children and adolescents.

A full cardiac evaluation may include an:

• EKG, or electrocardiogram: This test uses electrodes attached to the body to provide insight into the heart’s rhythms.
• Echocardiogram: This test measures how well the heart works using ultrasound waves.
• Treadmill test: As your child walks on a treadmill, this test measures how the heart reacts to stress or activity.

Managing Heart Defects in Young Athletes

If testing points to a potential heart condition, our team will walk you through what that means for you and your child. This includes:

• Helping you understand the risks, as every child and condition is unique
• Educating you on the signs and symptoms to watch out for
• Ensuring you’re prepared for an unlikely cardiac event, such as getting CPR training
• Making recommendations on physical activity, if applicable