Novant Health Pediatric Cardiology- Ardmore

10/27/2025

10/23/2025

In continuation of Dysautonomia Month, here is some helpful information to helpful information to make you more aware.

🔹 Due to the malfunctioning of the autonomic nervous system in people with dysautonomia, symptoms can include tachycardia (a heart rate that is too fast), bradycardia (a heart rate that is too slow), poor blood flow to the heart, brain and other organs, chest pains, lightheadedness, fainting, nausea, a gastrointestinal tract that moves too fast or too slow, blood pooling in the extremities, shaking, too much or too little sweating, cognitive impairments (“brain fog”), headaches, and much more.

🔹 Some, but not all, dysautonomia symptoms can be minimized by laying the patient down. This helps restore normal blood flow to the brain and chest area. This is why it can be so difficult for dysautonomia patients to stand sometimes.
Some dysautonomia patients will get better over time, by either learning to manage their symptoms better, or by actually recovering from the illness. However, some remain sick with dysautonomia indefinitely, and some progressively get worse.

🔹 Many dysautonomia patients experience years of diagnostic delay and have difficulty finding physicians to treat their dysautonomia once they are diagnosed, because most doctors have not received training on how to diagnose and treat autonomic nervous system disorders.

10/19/2025

Congratulations on 27 YEARS of providing exceptional patient care, Angie! We are so thankful that almost 3 of those years have been spent with Pediatric Cardiology! Thank you for all that you do! 💜

10/16/2025

💜💙 Happy Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month to our wonderful echo techs! We are so thankful for you and all that you do for our patients. It's more than just a picture!

Pictured are Rebecca and Rachel, our techs that you will see on a normal basis, and Nikki who you may see from time to time to help provide support! Emily, who is not pictured, also helps from time to time! Thank you for all you do! 💜💙

10/10/2025

💜🌏 October 10th is World Mental Heath Day. 💜🌎

Mental states like chronic stress, anxiety, and depression trigger the release of "stress hormones" that raise heart rate and blood pressure.

According to the American Heart Association:
Stress may contribute to poor health behaviors linked to increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Fortunately, you can help manage stress by exercising regularly, making time for friends and family, getting enough sleep (adults should aim for seven to nine hours a night, babies and kids need more depending on their age), maintaining a positive attitude, practicing relaxation techniques (such as meditating or listening to music) and/or finding a stimulating hobby.

How do you support your mental health?

10/08/2025

Here are some helpful facts to help you become more aware:

💙 Dysautonomia is pronounced dis’-oughta-know’-me-uh. Dysautonomia is a group of neurological conditions that impact over 70 million people around the world.

💙 Dysautonomia means “dysfunction” of the “autonomic nervous system.” The autonomic nervous system controls all of your involuntary bodily functions like your heart rate, breathing, maintaining proper blood pressure, digestion, sleep cycles, body temperature control, sweating and more.

💙 There are many different types of dysautonomia, including, but not limited to, neurocardiogenic syncope, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, inappropriate sinus tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy, pure autonomic failure, and multiple system atrophy.

10/06/2025

🔹 October is Dysautonomia Month - Tune into our Facebook all month long to learn facts and bring awareness to dysautonomia! 🔹

10/03/2025

💜 We love a good sweet treat as much as anyone! However today is National Reduce Sugar Day, check out the article to learn why reducing sugar can help prevent several diseases.

“High-sugar diets are often high in saturated fat which is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, heart attacks, stroke and high blood pressure. This is because high-sugar foods are often also high in saturated fats, which increases your risk of becoming overweight and which negatively affects your cardiovascular health.
Reducing your sugar intake makes it easier to maintain a healthy weight and reduces the many disease risks associated with carrying excess weight.” 💜

Too much sugar in your diet can have a significant impact on your health, increasing your risk of serious health conditions and affecting your wellbeing too. The NHS recommends no more than 30 grams of sugar per day, which is roughly five rounded teaspoons of sugar.