Pediatric Heart Care

UNM Children's Hospital offers New Mexico's most advanced technology and care for pediatric heart conditions. Our board-certified cardiologists care for children from before birth through young adulthood.

UNM Children's Hospital Heart Center is accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission in fetal echocardiography and pediatric transthoracic echocardiography (heart imaging). From monitoring to testing, UNM Children's is your destination for expert pediatric heart care.

You will need a referral from your child’s primary care provider to schedule an appointment. Once you have a referral, call us at 505-272-3864 or 888-543-2237 (toll-free).

Services & Treatments

  • Cardiac MRI
  • Catheter-based procedures
  • Device evaluations
  • Electrophysiology/ablation
  • Fetal echocardiography
  • Heart failure management
  • Heart imaging
  • Stress testing
  • Transplant assessment

Conditions We Treat

  • Abnormal heart rhythm
  • Blood clots
  • Blood lipid disorders
  • Congenital conditions (birth defects)
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • Hyperplastic left heart syndrome
  • Pediatric heart failure
  • Structural heart conditions
  • Vein and artery problems

Pediatric Cardiac Tests & Diagnostics

Your child's care begins with a review of medical history and a physical exam. We will also request a few tests to learn more about your child's condition. We may recommend tests such as these:

  • Diagnostic cardiac catheterization: Takes detailed pictures of the heart and vessels.
  • Echocardiography: Uses sound waves to take pictures of the heart of a child or fetus.
  • Electrocardiogram: Places small electrodes on the chest to reveal the heart's functioning and rhythm.
  • Exercise stress testing: Measures the heart's response to physical activity.
  • Holter, wrist and event recording: Uses noninvasive devices that record the heart's rhythm for 24 hours or longer.
  • Oxygen saturation: Determines the amount of oxygen in the blood without a blood sample.
  • Pacemaker/implantable cardioverter defibrillator evaluation: Checks your child's device from outside the body.

Once we have your child's results, we will work with you to create the least invasive, most effective care plan to improve your child's quality of life. Our Child Life team will be by your side with support and education services through your child's heart care journey.

Our Locations

We offer heart care clinics throughout the state, in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Health. Find a location near you.