Do the palpitations start and then go away all of a sudden (like flipping a light switch), or do they seem to start out or ease off more gradually?.Are there certain circumstances when these symptoms usually occur (for example, only with a fever or prolonged exercise, or happening completely randomly)?.How often (for example, once a week or twice in six months, etc.) and for how long (for example, seconds, minutes or longer) do these episodes seem to last?.When was the first time the child’s heart beating fast or irregularly was noticed?.To help the primary care provider or cardiologist sort out a child’s heart beating fast, consider these questions: If the provider suspects the palpitations possibly are caused by an underlying heart issue, you may be referred to a pediatric cardiologist or arrhythmia specialist. The provider likely will ask you for more details about the symptoms and do a thorough physical examination. If it doesn’t seem like an emergency, start with your pediatrician or other primary care provider. A child may notice that their heart is beating fast if they are nervous or scared, they have a fever, they have had too much caffeine, they have taken a stimulant medication, they have been running or exercising, or if they have another medical condition such as low blood sugar or a low blood count.” Many times their heart is normal and healthy, and it is just beating faster than usual because of something else that is happening in their body. “Sometimes when a child feels like their heart is beating fast, it may not be due to a heart problem at all. Holland, M.D., pediatric cardiologist with Norton Children’s Heart Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine. “Abnormal heartbeats or arrhythmias can happen in children with a known history of a heart problem, but also can occur in children previously thought to be healthy,” said Brian J. Little babies may be irritable for no reason, have trouble breathing, refuse to eat or vomit after eating. Toddlers may just grab their chest, appear uncomfortable or cry without an obvious cause, or just seem pale or upset. They may say, “My heart is beating out of my chest,” or “My heart is beeping really fast.” While an adult may be able to say “I am having palpitations”, children may describe vague chest symptoms, a fluttering or racing heart or skipped heartbeats. A child whose heart is beating fast or irregularly often won’t have the vocabulary to describe what’s happening.
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