heart Archives - Resource Library - Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust

This resource is information for parents and carers about patent foreamen ovale. What is a patent foramen ovale? A foramen ovale is a hole in the heart. It is necessary while babies are in the womb but should close soon after they are born. If it does not close, the condition is called patent...

What is an echo? Echocardiograms (echo) are one of the most frequently used scans for diagnosing heart problems. An echo is an ultrasound scan of the heart. An echo lets us evaluate the structure, function and blood flow through the heart. Your child will need to lie very still for the scan so it...

What is an ECG? An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a special test to look at the electrical activity in your heart, this is one through having some stickers on your chest. The results are shown on a screen and printed on a thin strip of paper. Doctors use the results to check whether your child’s...

What is a heart murmur? A heart murmur is an additional noise made by the heart. It is usually a whooshing noise and can be picked up by a doctor when they listen to your child’s heart with a stethoscope. It is usually the sound of the blood finding its way around the tight bends… Continue...