Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Faculty Profiles
Amanda Marma Perak, MD

Amanda Marma Perak, MD

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Cardiology) and Preventive Medicine

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Focus of Work

Bio

I am a pediatric cardiologist and researcher who aims to prevent cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke by promoting optimal cardiovascular health from the beginning of life. My clinical expertise is in childhood cardiovascular health factors (such as blood pressure, cholesterol, diet, and exercise) and in echocardiography.

Academic Focus

I devote much of my effort to research. I aim to identify the early-life determinants of cardiovascular health, understand their mechanisms, and design interventions to preserve and restore optimal cardiovascular heath across the life course. Some examples of current work include the Keeping Ideal Cardiovascular Health Family Intervention Trial (KIDFIT), which tests a DASH diet and lifestyle intervention to promote cardiovascular health in preschool-age children, and an investigation of the rela...[Read full text]I devote much of my effort to research. I aim to identify the early-life determinants of cardiovascular health, understand their mechanisms, and design interventions to preserve and restore optimal cardiovascular heath across the life course. Some examples of current work include the Keeping Ideal Cardiovascular Health Family Intervention Trial (KIDFIT), which tests a DASH diet and lifestyle intervention to promote cardiovascular health in preschool-age children, and an investigation of the relationship between maternal cardiovascular health in pregnancy and offspring outcomes.[Shorten text]

Clinical Focus

Clinically, I split my time between two major areas. First, I work with children and their families in the Preventive Cardiology Clinic to restore cardiovascular health and improve cardiovascular risk factors (such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure) primarily through optimal diet, physical activity, and sleep. In this clinic I also see families with genetic cholesterol problems, and we work on the same lifestyle factors and sometimes use medications to help. Second, I work in the echoc...[Read full text]Clinically, I split my time between two major areas. First, I work with children and their families in the Preventive Cardiology Clinic to restore cardiovascular health and improve cardiovascular risk factors (such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure) primarily through optimal diet, physical activity, and sleep. In this clinic I also see families with genetic cholesterol problems, and we work on the same lifestyle factors and sometimes use medications to help. Second, I work in the echocardiography lab, where I interpret ultrasounds of the heart and blood vessels to help other cardiologists and pediatricians to take good care of their patients.[Shorten text]

Keywords

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Pediatric CardiologyPreventive MedicineCardiovascular ImagingClinical ResearchNutrition and Cardiovascular epidemiologyDiet and Behavioral MedicineBlood PressureCholesterolWeight management and obesityCardiovascular Diseases

Education and Certification

  • MD: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (2009)
  • Residency: Boston Children's Hospital, Pediatrics (2012)
  • Fellowship: Boston Children's Hospital, Cardiology (2015)
  • Fellowship: Northwestern University, McGaw Medical Center (Lurie Children's Hospital), Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging (2016)
  • Board Certification: Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatrics

Contact

312/227-4100

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Box 21
225 E Chicago Avenue
Chicago IL 60611

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