Your visit
The Children’s Heart Centre clinic completes assessments and routine testing.
The cardiac team will review your child's medical history, discuss your concerns and complete a full physical assessment which may include:
- assessing the pulses in your child's hands and feet
- determining oxygen saturation with a sensor that wraps around a finger or toe
- listening to the chest with a stethoscope
- measuring height and weight
Please bring the following to your appointment:
- appointment itinerary information (doctor's name, department, appointment time and location)
- BC Services Card (Care Card)
- information about current medications and dosages, including herbal supplements and vitamin supplements
- toys, books, games, music, snacks, drinks and diapers to help your children pass the time
Your visit will last two to three hours to allow us to provide a complete assessment. Younger siblings may find this tiring. Alternative babysitting arrangements may make your visit more comfortable, or consider attending with another guardian.
Please tell us as soon as possible if you are unable to attend – at least 48 hours ahead, if you can, so that your appointment time can be used by another patient.
Please let us know if your child has been in contact with any infectious diseases (such as chickenpox or measles) during the three weeks before your appointment. We might need to reschedule.
Please let us know, as early as possible, if an interpreter would be helpful.
Patients may be required to complete a series of tests based upon the nature of their clinical visit.
Diagnostic procedures take anywhere from 15-60 minutes.
An
electrocardiogram (ECG) checks the heart’s electrical activity, including heart rate (beats per minute) and heart rhythm (synchronized pumping). An ECG shows this electrical activity as line tracings on paper, called waves.
This procedure only takes a few minutes and consists of placing "stickers" on your child's arms, chest and legs.
This test does not cause any pain for your child.
An
echocardiogram (echo test) is a type of ultrasound in which high-pitched sound waves are used to create moving pictures of your child’s heart on a monitor screen.
This procedure can take up to 60 minutes and requires your child to lie down and remain still while the technician operates the scan. You may bring in items (music, smartphone or tablet) to help keep your child still for as long as possible.
Some children (usually those who are less than three years old) may require a mild sedative. Parents are informed in advance if this will be the case. To make the sedative more effective, we ask that children fast prior to the procedure: five hours from solids, four hours from formula, three hours from breast milk and two hours from clear fluids.
This test does not cause any pain for your child.
An exercise
electrocardiogram (ECG) checks for changes in your child’s heart rate and rhythm while they exercise.
A resting ECG is completed before the exercise ECG. This indicates that it’s safe to commence exercise testing.
This procedure takes around 30 minutes and your child will be asked to walk, speed walk and jog on a treadmill while being closely monitored.
You will be informed ahead of time if a stress test is needed. Your child should wear appropriate clothes for physical activity and running shoes. Please ensure your child has had breakfast or lunch at least one hour prior to the test.
This test does not cause any pain for your child.
Pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) require routine check-ups to ensure they are operating at maximum efficiency and to confirm battery life.
Also, cardiac devices will keep a record of your child’s heart rate and heart rhythm, which can let staff know about their health and whether treatment changes are required.
This procedure takes 20 minutes and consists of placing four 'stickers' and a magnet over the skin of the pacemaker site.
This test does not cause any pain for your child.
