Heart palpitations in children?

Question

My 4 year old daughter last week mentioned that her heart was racing and when i felt her chest her heart was beating really fast. She has said this every couple of days since. For instance today it was when when we were stood in a queue at the supermarket. I know that I will have to take her to the doctors but just wondered if anyone could shed some light on why this might happen.

She is a happy child from a happy family no stresses at home.

She eats a varied and healthy diet and is the correct weight for her age and she gets plenty of exercise.

Any advise would be great.

Thanks

Answer 1

When children or anybody else is having a rapid heart beat, we label them as palpitations.  

Palpitations are the feeling of racing, flip-flopping, skipping, or any other odd sensation related to the beating your heart that you can feel.

Everyone in their lifetime will experience palpitations at least once.  

When children describe it as "my heart is racing/pounding" and then it suddenly stops, this is most likely supraventricular tachycardia.

However, most children who have palpitations are having what is known as either premature atrial contractions (PACs) or premature ventricular contractions (PVCs).

Sometimes, but not very often, it can mean an actual congenital heart defect which is a problem with the heart that they were born with.

Have your daughter see her local Pediatrician and good luck!

Answer 2

Hi, I started getting this problem at about age 8, i saw doctor and he referred me to hospital they checked my heart and said it all seemed normal, they did advise me it could be something to do with the electrical side of the heart and they could poss put me on tablets. At the time my mum said no as she didnt think putting me on meds so young would be good.

The hospital also advised they could put a machine on me which would monitor my heart but because i had them here and there at any time any day or week it wouldnt be worth it.

Im 21 now and have been to see doctor and they are still not concerned about it!

Is she asthmatic? I have heard using an inhaler can cause palpatations.

Im also healthy, not over weight! I think some people do just suffer with palpatations all their lives.

Good luck!

Try googling it!

Answer 3

as one of the other contributors suggested it could be an abnormal electrical activity of the heart. these are not always easy to catch on an ecg but it is important to go and see your gp a simple 12 lead ecg can indicate if there is a predispostion for a condition which causes fast heart rates. If she has it again take her to your local A&E and hopefully they will catch it on the ecg and then they can refer you to a specialist.

I am a paediatric cardiac nurse in the uk