This measures resting heart rate and rhythm, and lasts about a minute. Exercise EKG also called a stress test. This measures heart rate and rhythm during exercising, like riding a stationary bicycle or walking on a treadmill. Signal-average EKG. This is much like a resting EKG, but monitors the heartbeat for about 15—20 minutes. Holter monitor. This EKG is done over a long period of time, usually 24 hours or more.
The electrodes are fixed to the chest, and the wires are attached to a portable EKG recorder. The child is encouraged to continue normal daily activities, but must be careful to not get the electrodes wet for example, no swimming, showering, or activities that cause a lot of sweating.
The two kinds of Holter monitoring are: continuous recording , which means the EKG is on throughout the entire monitoring period; and event monitoring , which means data is recorded only when the child feels symptoms and then turns the Holter monitor on.
How Is an Arrhythmia Treated? For those that do, these options might be used: Medicine. Doctors may prescribe anti-arrhythmic medicines depending on the type of arrhythmia and other considerations. Sometimes, these can increase symptoms and cause side effects, so the patient will be closely watched by the doctor. A pacemaker is a small battery-operated device implanted into the body near the collarbone through a surgical procedure.
Connected to the heart by a wire, a pacemaker can detect if the heart rate is too slow and send electrical signals to speed up the heartbeat. A small battery-operated implantable cardioverter defibrillator ICD is surgically placed near the left collarbone. Wires run from the defibrillator to the heart. The ICD senses if the heart has a dangerously fast or irregular rhythm and sends an electrical signal to restore a normal heartbeat.
Catheter ablation. A catheter a long, thin wire is guided through a vein in the leg to the heart. Arrhythmias often are caused by microscopic defects in the heart muscle.
Your pediatrician can give you a more accurate normal rate specifically for your child. Use this as a guide, but not a hard and fast rule. As you can see, younger children normally have faster heart rates than teenagers. On the other hand, very athletic teens can have resting pulse rates as low as 40 to 50 beats per minute.
This is because they are so fit that their heart does not have to work as hard to move blood through the body. A child's pulse rate can be normal, fast tachycardia , or slow bradycardia. In some forms of tachycardia, like supraventricular tachycardia SVT , the heart rate can rise above beats per minute.
In contrast, a child with bradycardia may have a heart rate of less than 50 beats per minute. A very fast or slow heart rate can be a medical emergency, especially if your child has any symptoms associated with it, such as:. It's also important to talk to your pediatrician if your child always seems to be at either the upper or lower limits of normal.
For example, tell your child's doctor if:. A heart rate above the upper limit of normal may be a sign of an underlying heart condition. It could also be a clue to other problems in the body, such as an infection or a metabolic condition.
In addition to the pulse rate how many times per minute the heart beats , the rhythm of the pulse can also be regular or irregular. An irregular heart rate can signal a heart problem. It's a good idea to contact your pediatrician if you think your child's pulse feels erratic or unsteady, especially if it happens often or lasts a long time.
Any type of abnormal heart rate—whether in the rate or rhythm—is called arrhythmia. Not all arrhythmias are a cause for concern. Some are harmless, but others may require medical treatment. For example, in addition to your child's pulse, your doctor may also check their blood pressure and order an electrocardiogram ECG, also called an EKG. It can also provide clues on whether the heart is enlarged or working too hard.
In addition to heart problems, your doctor may also do blood tests, such as a complete blood count or a thyroid test, to check for underlying infections and conditions like anemia or hyperthyroidism that can affect your child's heart rate. In some instances, your doctor may refer you to a pediatric cardiologist, a specialist in heart conditions for children. For example, one controllable factor is caffeine. A child may develop a high resting heart rate if they consume coffee, energy drinks, or several sodas throughout the day.
Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; chap 7. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.
Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Information developed by A. Please discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have. Medical Tests A-Z Pulse. Definition The pulse is the number of heartbeats per minute. Alternative Names Heart rate; Heart beat How the Test is Performed The pulse can be measured at areas where an artery passes close to the skin. These areas include the: Back of the knees Groin Neck Temple Top or inner side of the foot Wrist To measure the pulse at the wrist, place the index and middle finger over the underside of the opposite wrist, below the base of the thumb.
How to Prepare for the Test To determine the resting heart rate, you must have been resting for at least 10 minutes. For instance, if you feel 20 beats in 15 seconds, your child's heart rate is 80 beats per minute, a normal rate. However, you may not be able to easily find a pulse in infants or younger children who have smaller blood vessels.
A medical professional with experience in caring for children will likely need to take their pulse. If your child has a heart condition requiring heart rate monitoring, your doctor can teach you how to find their pulse and take their heart rate. Some wearable devices and smartphones can also read the heart rate with good accuracy. If you are worried about your child's heart rate, Dr. Kane recommends you call your pediatrician.
A rapid heartbeat in a child could be a cause for concern. Share the pulse you counted with them, and they will let you know the best next steps.
If your child's heart is beating too fast for you to count the beats, that could be cause for concern.
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