Our approach to care
Because congenital problems often require lifelong follow-up care, our team also includes adult congenital heart disease specialists. This means we help adults who were born with a heart abnormality prevent complications that can develop later in life.
Modern advances in heart care mean most congenital and acquired conditions can be diagnosed early — and treated effectively.
Congenital Heart Disease Care
For many of our congenital heart disease patients, care begins in the womb and continues through adulthood. Whether you need follow-up care for yourself or your child, you’ll find expert guidance and support right here in Central Virginia. We diagnose and manage all types of congenital heart problems, including:
- Aortic stenosis
- Atrial septal defect (ASD)
- Cardio Obstetrics
- Coarctation of the aorta
- Connective Tissue Disorder (Ehlers Danlos, Marfan, Loey-Dietz)
- Ebstein’s anomaly
- Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
- Patent foramen ovale (PFO)
- Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
- Pulmonary atresia
- Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
- Transposition of the great arteries
- Truncus arteriosus
- Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
Conditions we treat
People who were born with heart problems — or developed them during childhood — are living longer than ever. However, they are still at risk of developing complications later on. These include:
- Arrhythmias (adult & children)
- Heart failure
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Stroke
- Cardiomyopathy
- Hyperlipidemia
- Kawasaki disease
- Myocarditis
Cardiology Clinics
Pediatric Cardiology Clinic
Our pediatric cardiologists diagnose and treat heart problems in infants, children and teens. We help make sure children receive the right treatment at the right time and reach their developmental milestones. Our services include:
- Cardiac imaging tests, including pediatric echocardiograms, cardiac CT and cardiac MRI
- Extended rhythm monitoring and stress testing
- Referrals for surgery or inpatient care in partnership with children’s hospitals throughout the region
- Medical treatments for childhood obesity, high blood pressure or high cholesterol
- Education of patients and parents about safe participation in sports and other activities
- Preparing teens who were born with a heart problem for their eventual transition to an adult congenital heart disease specialist
Fetal Cardiology Clinic
Thanks to advanced imaging technology, many babies are diagnosed with congenital heart disease before birth. This gives parents and doctors time to prepare — and ensures a treatment plan is already in place at the time of delivery. Our prenatal support includes:
- Fetal echocardiograms to evaluate a baby’s heart in detail, in utero
- Genetic testing and counseling
- Care coordination with the mother’s obstetrician, high-risk pregnancy specialist and delivery hospital
Adult Congenital Cardiology Clinic
Many adults who had heart surgery as a child think they are cured. But people born with congenital heart disease have a higher risk of certain cardiovascular problems later in life, even if they were treated during childhood.
Our board-certified adult congenital heart disease specialists are here to monitor — and help you maintain — lifelong heart health. We offer:
- Cardiac imaging tests including echocardiograms, stress tests and lung perfusion studies
- Heart rhythm monitoring using Holter monitors or cardiac event recorders
- Medical management of cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Referrals for preconception counseling, genetic testing or high-risk pregnancy care if you have congenital heart disease and want to get pregnant
