Any parent should be concerned when their child exhibits sinus tachycardia. It’s a disorder where a child’s heart beats more quickly than usual for a variety of reasons. Helping your child feel better requires an understanding of what causes this fast heartbeat.
Sometimes commonplace stimuli like exercise, anxiety, or even a fever can cause sinus tachycardia. On the other hand, in certain instances, it could be connected to an underlying medical condition that requires care.
Understanding sinus tachycardia symptoms and when to consult a doctor can be crucial for parents in ensuring their child’s health. You will learn the fundamentals of sinus tachycardia in children from this article, which will also help you recognize symptoms and know how to treat them.
- What is it
- Causes
- Physiological
- Pathological
- Age
- In newborns and children 2-3 years old
- For schoolchildren and adolescents
- Symptoms
- What to do
- Diagnostics
- Treatment
- Video on the topic
- HIGH PULSE IN YOUNG PEOPLE SINUS TACHYCARDIA
- Tachycardia. What is it? What to do? Advice for parents – Union of pediatricians of Russia.
- Heart rhythm disorders in children, doctor Irina Chizhevskaya
- Sinus tachycardia, what is it – cardiologist Elena Usenko. Healthy interest. Issue 334
What is it
A change in the number of heartbeats per minute, with an increase in contraction frequency but no change in rhythm (called sinus because the rhythm originates from the sinus node), is diagnosed as "sinus tachycardia." The number of heartbeats at which tachycardia is discussed will vary depending on the age because normal heart rates vary with age. Treachery is defined as a deviation of 10–20% or more from the norm.
When a child has sinus tachycardia, their heart beats more quickly than usual but their rhythm stays steady. It frequently resolves on its own and can be a reaction to a number of things, including fever, anxiety, or physical activity. Parents must be aware of this illness in order to discern whether their child’s elevated heart rate is a typical response or an indication of a more serious illness that requires medical attention.
Causes
The sinus node’s activation is the primary cause of sinus tachycardia, although diseases and both benign physiological conditions can increase the automatism of the node.
Physiological
- Physical activity.
- Excitement and worry.
- Fear.
- Staying in a stuffy room.
- Emotional stress.
- Temperature drop.
- Increased body temperature.
- Swaddling or examining a newborn.
Pathological
These extracardiac illnesses or heart damage are linked to causes of sinus tachycardia. Elevated heart rate happens when:
- CNS damage.
- Congenital heart defect.
- Myocarditis.
- Acidosis.
- Anemia.
- Dehydration.
- A drop in blood glucose levels.
- Thyroid dysfunction.
- Adrenal tumors.
- Obesity.
- Heart failure.
Age
In newborns and children 2-3 years old
Since newborns have an increased sinus node automatism, brief episodes of elevated heart rate in children under the age of one are normal as long as they resolve on their own without the need for medical attention.
Nonetheless, sinus tachycardia in a 1-year-old child may occasionally indicate issues with the heart or other organs. This could be an indication of a neurological illness or congenital abnormality.
For schoolchildren and adolescents
Sinus tachycardia can be brought on by physical or emotional overload, as well as acquired heart conditions, in people aged 6-7.
Such arrhythmias are frequently linked to active growth and hormonal changes during adolescence.
When a person is ten years of age or older, iron deficiency anemia and endocrine gland disorders are the most common pathological causes of sinus tachycardia.
Symptoms
When a child has tachycardia, which was caused by physiological factors, it frequently does not show any harmful symptoms. The mild sinus tachycardia subsides quickly, and most kids report no discomfort.
Additional symptoms of tachycardia brought on by heart conditions include dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, extreme weakness, and darkening of the eyes. There are instances when someone loses consciousness. A tachycardia attack is the term for such a clinical picture. It can impact the heart muscle’s metabolic processes if it lasts longer than ten minutes.
What to do
In most cases, tachycardia in children that has a physiological cause—such as fear, anxiety, or physical exertion—passes quickly and doesn’t need medical attention.
In order to avoid heart failure, tachycardia attacks in infants under a year of age are only treated if they persist.
Parents and medical professionals should be notified when a sinus tachycardia attack occurs in a school-age child or adolescent because this condition can lead to complications.
Diagnostics
The simplest method for identifying sinus tachycardia is to use an ECG, which makes it possible to precisely count the heartbeats and determine whether the tachycardia is sinus-like by examining changes in complexes and segments. Holter monitoring, in which a child’s ECG is continuously recorded throughout the day, is another option for helping to clarify the diagnosis.
The child may be prescribed an echocardiogram in order to identify cardiac pathologies that show up as tachycardia. The child must have an EEG, a general blood test, and a thyroid hormone assessment in order to rule out extracardiac pathologies. The child might require consultations with neurologist and endocrinologist from specialized specialists.
Treatment
Parents should administer the following first aid to their child in the event that the child experiences a tachycardia attack:
- Provide access to oxygen by unbuttoning or removing clothing from the upper part of the body, as well as opening a window.
- Wash the baby with cool water or apply a cloth soaked in water to the baby"s forehead.
- Ask the baby to take a breath and hold it for a short time.
- Call a doctor, even in a situation where the attack has already passed.
Only a doctor should prescribe medication for tachycardia because the course of treatment will vary depending on what caused the attack.
| Topic | Description |
| Definition | Sinus tachycardia is when a child"s heart beats faster than normal, originating from the sinus node, the heart"s natural pacemaker. |
| Normal Heart Rate | For children, a normal heart rate is usually between 70-100 beats per minute, depending on age. Sinus tachycardia is when this rate exceeds these normal values. |
| Causes | It can be caused by fever, dehydration, anxiety, or an underlying medical condition. |
| Symptoms | Common symptoms include a rapid heartbeat, palpitations, or feeling dizzy. Sometimes, there may be no noticeable symptoms. |
| Diagnosis | A diagnosis is made through a physical exam, review of symptoms, and possibly an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor the heart’s rhythm. |
| Treatment | Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause. This may involve managing fever, ensuring proper hydration, or treating any specific medical conditions. |
| When to See a Doctor | If a child experiences symptoms of a rapid heartbeat, especially if accompanied by dizziness or fainting, seek medical advice promptly. |
Children’s sinus tachycardia typically occurs as a reaction to exercise, stress, or disease. When the underlying cause is treated, it usually resolves on its own as a transient condition.
Nonetheless, you should seek medical attention for your child if their heartbeat is irregular and they don’t have any obvious causes. Early detection of the underlying cause can help avoid future issues and guarantee your child gets the care they need.
Gaining knowledge about sinus tachycardia and knowing when to consult a doctor will enable you to better support the general health and wellbeing of your child.
