COMMON CARDIAC DISEASES IN ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

Adolescent patients frequently present with symptoms potentially referable to the cardiovascular system; however, patients rarely have true cardiovascular disease. In many patients, the history is the key to determining whether additional testing or referral is necessary. Even though the history, physical examination, and preliminary laboratory data may indicate a benign cause, occasionally a referral to a cardiologist is necessary because of patient or parental anxiety. Patients with true cardiac pathology should be followed by a cardiologist in conjunction with the primary care physician.