Cardiology
Your child will typically have 1-2 cardiology and/or cardiac surgery appointments in the first four to six weeks after cardiac surgery. These clinic visits will usually include chest X-rays, EKG’s, and ECHO’s. Beyond the first month of recovery from surgery, your child will require lifelong cardiology care to help manage their heart condition. The frequency of these appointments will depend on your child’s type of CHD. These visits are the best time to ask your child’s cardiologist about immediate and longterm health concerns.
General (Pediatric) Practitioner
Your child’s visits with the cardiologist do not replace the need to see a pediatrician or general practitioner on a schedule similar to other children their age. The pediatrician will manage all of the non-cardiology aspects of your child’s health and play an important role in keeping your child well. It is important for your child’s pediatrician and cardiologist to communicate with each other about the details of health management decisions. You should show this booklet to your pediatrician at your first appointment.