Pediatric Preventive Cardiology
Genetic conditions that increase LDL cholesterol, unhealthy behaviors and high blood pressure are a few of the factors that can increase the risk for future cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, studies show that starting treatment during childhood can reduce the risk of heart attack by up to 50% later in life.
Atrium Health Levine Children’s Congenital Heart Center is home to the only pediatric preventive cardiology program in Charlotte. Here, we specialize in identifying genetic risk factors early, slowing the development of heart disease, and lowering your child’s risk of heart attack and stroke now and as they enter adulthood.
Make an appointment
Call 704-373-1813 to schedule an appointment with our preventive cardiology team.
Conditions we treat
Several factors that increase the risk of heart disease and strokes are genetic, meaning they run in families. People with these genetic risk factors are born with a higher chance of developing these conditions. While a simple blood test by your child’s pediatrician can help screen for these risks, we’re here to provide a comprehensive evaluation and provide the support needed for conditions like:
- Familial hypercholesterolemia (high LDL cholesterol)
- Abnormal lipid disorders, including dyslipidemia
- Diabetes
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Hypobetalipoproteinemia (low cholesterol)
- Familial chylomicronemia syndrome (high triglycerides)
- Elevations in lipoprotein(a) (a genetic risk factor for heart disease)
Testing and treatment
If your child has a condition that puts their heart at risk, early diagnosis and treatment are not just important – they’re lifesaving. We use a combination of lifestyle changes and medications to lower your child’s risk of heart disease before it becomes a major issue.
- Lab studies, for a detailed picture of your child’s overall health.
- 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor, which tracks your child’s blood pressure for a full day.
- Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), to see how your child’s heart and lungs react to exercise.
- Echocardiogram, an ultrasound that looks at the structure of your child’s heart and how it’s working.
- Genetic testing, to analyze your child’s risk of developing heart conditions that may run in the family.
What to expect at your child’s appointment
Our clinicians and staff are here to make every appointment as seamless and easy as possible. Here’s what you can expect:
- Recent blood work (within the last 2 months) if your child has high cholesterol
- List of current medications
- Daily diet and activity information
- Log of blood pressures, if checking at home or school
Like most doctors’ visits, we’ll start by reviewing your child’s family history, medications and lifestyle habits, including diet, physical activity and sleep. We’ll also go over recent lab results, including cholesterol levels and blood pressure readings.
From there, our cardiologist will provide a plan of care, which may be a combination of non-invasive management and medication. Your child’s care plan will also include nutrition guidance and support from our on-site dietitian.
We’ll stay in close contact with your child’s pediatrician and other specialists along the way, helping them stay heart healthy in every aspect of their care.
- Pediatric cardiologist
- Dietitian
- Registered nurse
- Genetic counselor
- Psychologist
- Social worker
Why choose Levine Children's?
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Nationally awarded heart care. The pediatric heart program at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital has been consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report and was ranked among the nation’s top 10 for 2024-2025.
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A team of specialists. At Atrium Health Levine Children’s Congenital Heart Center, we care for your child’s whole heart, with all our heart. Our team includes specialists in everything from heart disease and congenital heart defects all the way to heart surgery and transplant.
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Connection to more. As part of Atrium Health Levine Children’s, we give your child easy access to any pediatric specialty care they might need, from the heart to the whole body.