Tachycardia is a condition characterized by a heart rate that is too rapid. This condition is caused by problems with the electrical signals that tell the ventricles in the heart to contract. Some children are born with tachycardia, and it can even be diagnosed in the womb, according to the American Heart Association.
Types
Tachycardia comes in two general types. The most common variety found in children is superventricular tachycardia. This kind of tachycardia is characterized by abnormally fast contractions in both the upper and the lower chambers of the heart. This type of tachycardia is not usually life-threatening and it might even go away on its own for some young children. The second kind of tachycardia is ventricular tachycardia, which is when the lower chambers, or ventricles, of the heart pump too rapidly. Ventricular tachycardia is rare in children and can be life threatening if left untreated.
Symptoms
The symptoms of tachycardia in children are similar to those of adults. Children can experience chest pain, heart palpitations, fainting, dizziness, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, weakness or paleness. Infants with tachycardia might breathe more rapidly than normal, might be abnormally fussy or sleepier than normal. Tachycardia can be difficult to diagnose in younger children and infants because they may not be able to describe their feelings. In addition, some of these symptoms, such as shortness of breath and dizziness, may be characteristic of other illnesses such as asthma.
Treatments
The treatment depends on the child's age, the severity of the tachycardia and the type of tachycardia. Superventricular tachycardia is typically treated by medications or, if the child is old enough, straining as if making a bowel movement or using the Valsalva maneuver, which is closing the nose and mouth and trying to breathe out. Children with ventricular tachycardia might require surgery or other more invasive interventions such as radio-frequency ablation in which a catheter is inserted into the heart and transmits a radio frequency that destroys the area of the heart responsible for the problem.
Prognosis
The prognosis for children with either type of tachycardia is generally good. Most children can lead normal lives and their activities do not need to be restricted. Older children with tachycardia might have it all of their lives and might need to take medicine such as beta blockers their entire lives. As adults, your child might be encouraged to maintain a healthful weight and to exercise often because having an unhealthy weight can put an adult at risk for heart disease. In addition, an adult with tachycardia should avoid caffeine, smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol or using recreational drugs because these might make the symptoms worse.
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