Cardiac Exercise Program
Improving a Child’s Heart Health Through Exercise
The pediatric cardiac exercise program at Nemours Children’s is part of our complete, award-winning care at heart centers in Delaware and Florida. Our team uses exercise to improve the health and quality of life in children with heart and blood vessel conditions.
We assess children with symptoms like chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath or fainting (syncope). We design exercise programs for kids and young adults with congenital (present at birth) heart defects, exercise intolerance and other conditions that affect the heart and vascular system. We also monitor progress after heart procedures and surgery.
Our labs are equipped for the full range of exercise stress testing, like cardiopulmonary exercise tests, stress echocardiograms and more. We work with expert pediatric cardiologists, electrophysiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, preventive cardiologists, cardiac oncologists, cardiac rehabilitation specialists and others to plan care.
At Nemours, your child gets personalized services from recognized leaders in their field. In fact, members of our team are researching the effects of exercise on heart disease and are part of national organizations that create training programs for future doctors.
Our Services
We offer exercise testing and treatment planning for kids, from age four through adulthood.
Pediatric Exercise Stress Tests
Exercise stress tests measure heart and lung function before, during and after exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike. What we find often directly informs treatment. For some children, especially those with severe limitations, we may use medicines to mimic the effects of exercise.
During exercise testing, we can assess things like:
- Blood flow through the heart and lungs
- Blood pressure
- Carbon dioxide production
- Electrical activity in the heart
- Fitness level
- Heart rate
- Oxygen consumption
We may use a variety of equipment and advanced heart imaging, including:
- Blood pressure cuffs on the arm
- Pulse oximeter placed on the finger
- Electrocardiogram (EKG) to record electrical activity
- Echocardiogram, or ultrasound that uses soundwaves to create images of the heart and blood vessels
- Spirometry and masks or mouthpieces to test pulmonary (lung) function
- Heart MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), in Delaware
We also use other diagnostics, like Holter monitors to track heart rhythm during daily activity or tilt table testing to look for causes of fainting.
Exercise Programs for Children With Heart Conditions
Based on our assessments, we can design safe, effective exercise programs to improve your child’s heart health. Plans may include aerobic exercise, strength training and flexibility exercises.
Some exercise plans are done on your own, while others are carried out under careful medical supervision at our rehabilitation facilities.
Specialized Care for Athletes
We work with our sports cardiology team to help student athletes with heart problems, or at risk for heart problems, stay active. We monitor your child’s condition and customize exercise programs to your child’s needs.
Two Leading Pediatric Heart Centers
Our heart centers offer highly advanced, integrated care just for kids and young adults with congenital heart disease. Learn about our focused programs, innovative research and exceptional outcomes.
Cardiac Conditions & Treatments
We see many conditions — far too many to list here. The conditions we treat vary depending on the location and providers selected. Don’t see a condition listed? Call us.
Related Specialties & Programs
An echocardiogram may be part of your child’s exercise test. Learn what it is and how it’s performed from the experts at Nemours KidsHealth®.
Congenital heart defects are conditions kids are born with. See how they’re diagnosed and managed.
Exercise can be an important part of your child’s care. Find information about the benefits of exercise and the elements of fitness.
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Deep Experience, Personal Touch
We work closely with you and your child’s care providers to use the best methods to detect, treat and prevent heart conditions. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced team.
1998
Year we opened the Nemours exercise physiology lab in Delaware
500+
Exercise tests performed each year
4
Youngest age, in years, we can do exercise testing
2
Nationally known pediatric heart centers, in Delaware and Florida
Our on-site pediatric exercise physiology lab is established and well-equipped for kids.
We’re members of the Pediatric Cardiology Exercise Medicine Curriculum Committee, responsible for what future doctors learn.
We have vast expertise working with kids with heart failure and other highly complex conditions. We personalize our tests to their abilities.
Our care is safe. Kids who receive exercise testing and exercise therapies are under careful monitoring and do very well.
Nemours is researching heart disease in children and sharing what we know so kids everywhere can thrive.
Deep Experience, Personal Touch
We work closely with you and your child’s care providers to use the best methods to detect, treat and prevent heart conditions. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced team.
1998
Year we opened the Nemours exercise physiology lab in Delaware
500+
Exercise tests performed each year
4
Youngest age, in years, we can do exercise testing
2
Nationally known pediatric heart centers, in Delaware and Florida
We created an on-site pediatric exercise physiology lab more than two decades ago. Our program is well-established and recognized.
We’re members of the Pediatric Cardiology Exercise Medicine Curriculum Committee, responsible for what future doctors learn.
We have vast expertise working with kids with heart failure and other highly complex conditions. We personalize our tests to their abilities.
Our team is researching heart disease in children and sharing what we know so kids everywhere can thrive.
Our care is safe. Kids who receive exercise testing and exercise therapies are under careful monitoring and do very well.
Meet the Team
Nemours cardiac exercise teams are experienced and focused on your child's healthiest future. Meet them now.
-
Bradley W. Robinson, MD
Cardiology Director, Cardiopulmonary Exercise Lab Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Takeshi Tsuda, MD
Cardiology Director, Cardiac Rehabilitation & Fitness, Director, Cardio-Oncology Professor of Pediatrics at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE
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Alejandro Redaelli Arevalo, MD
Cardiology Director, Cardiopulmonary Exercise Lab-PensacolaPrimary Office
Pensacola, FL -
Katherine T. Braley, MD
Cardiology Medical Director, Fetal Heart Program, Director of Fetal EchocardiographyPrimary Office
Orlando, FL -
Bahram Kakavand, MD
Cardiology Director, Cardiopulmonary Exercise Lab-OrlandoPrimary Office
Orlando, FL
What to Expect With Exercise Stress Testing
Before your child’s exercise stress test, we go over everything and answer all your questions.
For the test, have your child wear comfortable exercise clothing with tennis shoes and remove jewelry.
Exercise stress tests can vary depending on a child’s needs. Generally, you can expect the following:
- We’ll place electrodes, or small sticky patches, on your child’s chest, arms and legs to monitor heart rate.
- Other devices are secured, like a blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter on the finger and/or mask or mouthpiece if needed. We’ll take readings at rest.
- We’ll ask your child to start walking on the treadmill or pedaling the stationary bike.
- We’ll begin at a low intensity and slowly increase until your child’s maximum heart rate is reached.
- During the test, we monitor your child’s heart rate, blood pressure and other body signs.
- Depending on the type of test, we may perform an echocardiogram or other heart imaging before and after exercise to see how the heart is working.
- When the test is over, we’ll have your child rest until their heart rate and blood pressure return to normal.
- Most tests take about an hour from start to finish.
- After testing, we report results to your child’s referring cardiologist or other physician. They’ll go over the results and next steps with you.
Convenient Follow-Up Appointments by Video
We offer follow-up appointments through scheduled, live video visits. You can avoid waiting rooms and save travel time. Ask your doctor if this is an option for your family.