Your Childrens Health

Arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm.  There are many different kinds of abnormal heart rhythms. Treatment recommendations depend on the type. 

Fast rhythms are called tachycardia, while slow ones are called bradycardia.  Premature or extra beats often cause irregular heart rhythms.  The ones that start in the upper chambers are called atrial contractions.  Premature ventricle contractions start in the ventricles.  If you have ever felt your heart skip a beat it was probably associated with this type of arrhythmia.  The heart doesn’t really skip a beat, but instead an extra beat comes sooner than normal.  There is a pause then the next beat comes more forceful. 

Premature beats are more common in children and teenagers.  Occasionally premature beats can be caused by injury or disease.  Sinus tachycardia is a normal heart rate increase.  It can occur with fevers, excitement and exercise.  Treatment is not needed.  Rarely, a disease like anemia or increased thyroid activity can cause this fast heart rate.  In these cases, when treated, the tachycardia goes away. 

The most common abnormal tachycardia in children is supraventricular tachcardria.  This fast heart rate includes the upper and lower chambers of the heart.  This isn’t a life-threatening problem for most children.  Treatment is only considered if the episodes are prolonged or frequent. 

There are many options available to treat abnormal heart rhythms.  There are several drugs available and more being developed. Drugs can’t cure arrhythmia, but can improve symptoms.  All medications have side effects. 

Some other treatments include:

·       Radio frequency ablation- This is done with several catheters in the heart.  One is placed over the area causing the tachycardia. Its tip is heated and a small area of the heart is altered.

·       Surgery- Sometimes, surgery is necessary to interrupt the abnormal connection in the heart.

·       Artificial Pacemaker- A variety of heart rhythm disorders can be controlled with a pacemaker.  It is put inside the body and connected to the heart with a thin wire.  It sends a small painless amounts of electricity to the heart to help it make it beat. 

      If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s heart health, call your family doctor.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 21st, 2006 at 12:40 am and is filed under Uncategorized, Medical Care, Adolescence. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.