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What to expect at your Adolescent's First Visit


Pediatric Cardiology Center of Oregon Adolescent's First Visit

Doctor Referrals

You were referred to our office after a visit with your child’s pediatrician or family doctor for further evaluation by a pediatric cardiologist. Common reasons for referrals include:

Heart Murmurs

Syncope (fainting)

Chest Pain

Palpitations

Test Results (for example, an EKG or an echocardiogram) require further analysis and/or evaluation

Clearance for Sports Participation

Family history of congenital heart disease

The physician may order a test during the visit to be completed here at Pediatric Cardiology Center of Oregon and the results to be reviewed before you leave the office.

Heart Tests

Some of the tests your doctor may have ordered include:

Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): (EKG or ECG): An electrocardiogram checks the electrical impulses of the child’s heart. This five-minute test does not hurt; stickers are placed on the arms, legs and chest and then attached to small clips. It is best if no lotion is put on the day of the appointment as this may prevent the stickers from adhering. Note: girls wear a gown for this test and are not exposed.

Echocardiogram (or echo): This test converts sound waves from the heart into digital images – much like the ultrasound an expectant mother would endure during pregnancy. This test is done here in our office and may take up to 20 or 30 minutes. We need to obtain the clearest images possible so please advise your child that they will need to be still for this test. Note: girls wear a gown for this test and are not exposed.

Upon completion of the test the physician will sit down with you to discuss the results and answer any questions or concerns you may have. Further evaluation, if necessary, will be determined at that time.

TIP: Patients may want to wear shirts that open in the front with buttons for ease of exams and tests. Gowns are offered to all female patients and are available upon request for any patient who wants one.


Non Urgent and Follow-up Appointments

Non urgent and follow-up appointments can be made by calling our office Monday – Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. We currently do not schedule more than 6 months out for follow-up appointments. PLEASE have your insurance card available.

We do our best to accommodate our patients’ needs during an appointment. When requesting an appointment, please be as detailed as possible about your child and the reason that he/she is being referred so that we may reserve the appropriate amount of time with the most suitable cardiologist to give you and your child the best possible care. If your child has had previous cardiac testing (i.e. electrocardiogram (or EKG), echocardiogram, or cardiac monitor) please inform us when scheduling the appointment as these results are useful to our cardiologists when they evaluate your child.

If you are unable to keep an appointment, please call the office at least 24 hours in advance to cancel or reschedule. A $50 Late Cancellation/No Show fee will be charged to you directly if less than 24-hour notice is given. We do understand that emergencies occur and are willing to discuss these situations upon cancellation to avoid charging you the $50 fee.

What you will need upon check-in

On the day of your appointment, please bring the following;

Current insurance card

Co-payment (if required)

You will be asked to verify all of the information that we have taken over the phone when scheduling the appointment. If any of this information has changed (i.e. phone numbers, address, primary care physician) we ask that you update us at the time of check-in as to help ensure that payment for your care is as smooth as possible.




Patient Portal & Online Payments