Pediatrix Cardiology of the Rocky Mountains

• Aetna
• Anthem (BCBS of Colorado
• Pathway Products and HMO Colorado (excluding HMO Select)
• Banner - May need authorization
• Beechstreet
• Cigna
• Cofinity
• First Health/Coventry
• Kaiser - HMO will require referral from a contracted Kaiser physician
• Multi Plan
• Private Health Care Systems (PHCS)
• Rocky Mountain HMO (excluding EPO w/New West Physician Group as the network)
• Tricare - Prime still requires an authorization from referring physician
• United HealthCare - (excluding AARP Medicare Complete)
• Win Health (Northern Colorado and Wyoming product)

Government

• Colorado Medicaid
• Kansas Medicaid - requires authorization from referring physician
• Novitas (Medicare)
• Wyoming Medicaid (Title 19)
• New Mexico Medicaid requires authorization from ref physician

Dr. Garnreiter promotes heart screening for all children

Pediatric cardiologist and electrophysiologist Jason Garnreiter, M.D., shares why it’s important for all children to be screened for heart conditions. Learn more.

The pediatric cardiology team will conduct a comprehensive evaluation, which will include:

• A physical examination
• Height, weight and blood pressure measurements
• Family history
• Medical history

As part of the evaluation, the pediatric cardiologist may also conduct additional tests to reach a diagnosis. Two of the more commonly performed tests include an electrocardiogram (ECG) and an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). The tests that are recommended and the questions the pediatric cardiologist will ask during the medical and family history will depend on the reason for the visit.

A murmur is a sound heard by the stethoscope. Sometimes, murmurs represent the normal working of the heart, but sometimes they can represent a problem like a hole or valve narrowing. The pediatric cardiologist may order testing based on the patient’s age, history or exam.

Your cardiologist will perform a careful examination and likely an (ECG). Additional testing, such as an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart), may be performed based on the patient’s symptoms, history, the exam or the ECG results.

You will be asked several questions about your chest pain. Does it occur during exercise? Does it occur while eating or when laying down? How often does it happen? Is there anything that makes it better? They may do testing, such as:

• An electrocardiogram (ECG)
• An echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart)
• A cardiac stress test (an exercise test done on a treadmill or stationary bicycle)

If your child's heart is pounding or racing, he or she may be experiencing palpitations. This sensation can be felt in the chest, throat or neck. The team will ask about when the palpitations happen and how often they occur. They will ask whether the symptoms are with exercise, without exercise or both.

They may do testing, such as:

• An electrocardiogram (ECG)
• An echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart)
• A holter monitor (a continuous rhythm recorder worn for one to seven days)
• An event monitor (a rhythm recorder worn for a month that is activated by the patient during symptoms)
• A cardiac stress test (an exercise test done on a treadmill or stationary bicycle)

There are many reasons for passing out. Your cardiologist will ask about what the patient was doing when they passed out and consider some common causes (e.g., dehydration, illness, seeing blood, standing up too quickly ). They will ask about how the patient felt before passing out and whether the child has passed out during or after exercise. They will ask about your family history. They may do testing, such as:

• An electrocardiogram (ECG)
• An echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart)
• A cardiac stress test (an exercise test done on a treadmill or stationary bicycle)

The team will check height, weight and blood pressure. They may do testing, such as:

• An electrocardiogram (ECG)
• An echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart)

The team will check height, weight and blood pressure. They will ask about family history and the patient's diet and exercise habits. They will review the laboratory results and make recommendations based on age, the exam, family history and medical history. It would be helpful to know about close relatives with early-onset heart disease (before age 55 in males and 65 in females).