This information is sent to a computer, where it's interpreted and drawn as a graph. Many arrhythmias don't need treatment. For those that do, these options might be used:.
Many arrhythmias are minor and aren't a significant health threat. But some can indicate a more serious problem. If your child has symptoms of an arrhythmia, call your doctor. Reviewed by: Steven B. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is an Arrhythmia? What Causes an Arrhythmia? What are the Signs and Symptoms of an Arrhythmia? If the body doesn't get the supply of blood it needs to run smoothly, a person might have: dizziness fatigue lightheadedness weakness palpitations a feeling of fluttering or pounding in the chest shortness of breath chest pain fainting Arrhythmias can be constant, but most come and go at random.
Typical normal resting heart rate ranges are: babies birth to 3 months of age : — beats per minute kids 1—3 years old: 70— beats per minute kids by age 55—85 beats per minute A doctor can determine whether a heart rate is abnormally fast or slow, depending on a person's situation. What Are the Types of Arrhythmias? Tachycardias A tachycardia is an abnormally fast heartbeat. Tachycardias fall into two major categories — supraventricular and ventricular : Supraventricular tachycardia SVT is characterized by bursts of fast heartbeats that start in the upper chambers of the heart.
These can happen suddenly and last anywhere from a few seconds to several days. Treatment is usually recommended if SVTs are long-lasting or happen often. Ventricular tachycardia is a serious but uncommon condition that starts in the lower chambers of the heart and can be dangerous. Bradycardias A bradycardia is an abnormally slow heartbeat. Bradycardias can be due to: Sinus node dysfunction, when the heart's sinus node isn't working correctly, usually after surgery to correct a congenital heart defect.
Heart block, when electrical impulses can't make their way from the upper to lower chambers of the heart. The table below includes information that can help. Temperature footnote 2. Learn more about how to take your child's temperature, take a pulse, measure blood pressure, and count breaths with these topics:.
Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.
Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Measuring the pulse gives important information about your health. Any change from your normal heart rate can indicate a health problem. Fast pulse may signal an infection or dehydration. In emergency situations, the pulse rate can help determine if the person's heart is pumping. Pulse measurement has other uses as well. During or immediately after exercise, the pulse rate gives information about your fitness level and health.
Resting heart rates that are continually high tachycardia may mean a problem. Talk to your health care provider about this. Also discuss resting heart rates that are below the normal values bradycardia. A pulse that is very firm bounding pulse and that lasts for more than a few minutes should be checked by your provider as well. An irregular pulse can also indicate a problem.
A pulse that is hard to locate may mean blockages in the artery. These blockages are common in people with diabetes or hardening of the artery from high cholesterol. Less frequently, low blood pressure may also indicate a problem. Low blood pressure can also be a sign of unusual bleeding or infection. Systolic blood pressure refers to the top number of a blood pressure measurement, and this is always higher. Diastolic blood pressure is the bottom number.
Diastolic blood pressure is the reading between beats. This is when the heart muscle relaxes. Learn more about systolic and diastolic blood pressure here. For most children , normal blood pressure measurements in millimeters of mercury are as follows:. Very rapid breathing may mean that a child is having trouble getting enough oxygen. Very slow breathing might indicate a neurological problem, such as a head injury. Doctors measure breathing rate in breaths per minute.
To measure a breath, look for signs that a child has exhaled, such as air coming out of the nose. Count the total number of breaths per minute by monitoring their breathing for a minute or by counting the number of breaths in 10 seconds and multiplying the number by six.
Typical breathing rates are as follows:. These vital signs tend to go down when a child relaxes or sleeps. Likewise, a minor deviation from the norm — such as a heart rate that is 5 bpm above normal — probably does not signal a problem if there are no other symptoms. It is helpful for parents and caregivers to know what is normal for their child, so that they can keep track of vital signs and recognize when there may be a problem.
Typically, blood pressure is the last vital sign to change in a very sick child.
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