Pediatrix Cardiology of Puget Sound

253-396-4868

253-396-4870

New Name, Same Great Care! NorthWest Congenital Heart Care is now Pediatrix Cardiology of Puget Sound

We want to ensure our patients that although our name has changed, our practice and providers are still offering the same comprehensive cardiac care.

About Our Practice

Pediatrix Cardiology of Puget Sound, formerly NorthWest Congenital Heart Care, is dedicated to providing the most comprehensive pediatric cardiac care in the Puget Sound Region, with clinics in Tacoma, Seattle, Issaquah, Puyallup, Renton and Olympia. We provide consultation, treatment, support and education truly spanning the life of our children, from before a baby is born through early adulthood. Our expert team of caregivers provides unsurpassed, state-of-the-art medical care with compassion and understanding for the child and family. We offer a full-range of diagnostic techniques and therapeutic procedures specifically designed to enhance the care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with congenital or acquired heart disease.

Pediatrix Cardiology of Puget Sound's Preventive Cardiology Program is specifically designed to help identify and treat children who are at a higher risk of acquiring heart disease. In addition, we have a comprehensive Fetal Heart Program to improve prenatal diagnosis and treatment, thereby ensuring the best possible outcomes for infants born with heart disease. Our practice is accredited in both pediatric transthoracic echocardiography and fetal echocardiography by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC). This voluntary accreditation recognizes our commitment to high quality patient care and provision of quality diagnostic testing. We also have the unique distinction of being the first accredited Fetal and Pediatric Echo Lab in the state of Washington and the only accredited Fetal Echo Lab and Pediatric Echo Lab in South Puget Sound.

Insurance Options
- Aetna
- Ambetter
- Cigna
- First Choice Health Network
- First Health/Coventry
- Molina
- Multiplan
- Premera Blue Cross
- Regence Blue Shield
If you have any questions about the insurances we do not accept, please call 303-784-9000 extension 215103 and leave a detailed voice message.

Featured Services

Fetal Heart Program

Pediatrix Cardiology of Puget Sound's Fetal Heart Program, is dedicated to providing comprehensive, advanced care for unborn children with a possible heart abnormality.

Pediatric Preventive Cardiology Program

Risk factors for ASCVD begin in childhood which predict the presence of risk in adulthood if no intervention occurs.

Cardiology FAQs

What can I expect at the first visit?
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.
Murmur: What is a heart murmur, and what should I expect with my 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.
Chest pain: What should I expect during the visit?
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)
Palpitations: What are palpitations, and what should I expect during my visit?
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)
Passing out (also called syncope): What should I expect during the visit?
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)
High blood pressure: What should I expect during the visit?
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)
High cholesterol: What should I expect during the visit?

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).

Services Offered

Cardiac Catheterization
Echocardiography
Electrophysiology
Event Monitoring
Exercise Testing
Fetal Echo
Holter Monitoring
Inpatient Care
Outpatient Care
Preventative Cardiology
Sports Clearance

Conditions Treated

Adults with Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a term used to describe a group of problems present at birth that affect the structure of the heart and/or the large vessels near the heart. There are many types of CHD. Some types may be detected before birth and, in some cases, may be treated before birth. Other types are not found until the baby is born, during childhood or in adulthood.
Arrhythmia
Cardiomyopathy

A disease of the heart, causing its muscles to become enlarged, thick or ridged. The heart's lessened ability to pump blood effectively can cause fluid buildup in other parts of the body. As the disease worsens, the heart becomes weaker, causing irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmias, and heart failure.
Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a term used to describe a group of problems present at birth that affect the structure of the heart and/or the large vessels near the heart. There are many types of CHD. Some types may be detected before birth and, in some cases, may be treated before birth. Other types are not found until the baby is born, during childhood or in adulthood.
Heart Murmur

Sounds heard when listening to the heart. They may be innocent (normal) or organic (caused by valve abnormalities or holes in the heart, for example). A physical examination by a pediatric cardiologist, in addition to an electrocardiogram, and in some cases an echocardiogram, will distinguish between innocent and organic murmurs.
Hyperlipidemia
Long QT Syndrome
Syncope

The most common cause of fainting, benign syncope, is when the body reacts to certain activities (such as standing up) by increasing the heart rate and/or blood pressure. The body then responds to this increase by decreasing the heart rate and/or blood pressure, sometimes causing a child to faint or feel like they are going to faint.