Sinus tachycardia in a child: symptoms and treatment

In children, the heart pulse is much higher than in an adult. This is due to the high body requirement for oxygen and the rapid flow of metabolism. In addition, the kids are constantly in motion. But sometimes the rhythm of the heart begins to exceed the norm. And after the examination, sinus tachycardia is diagnosed in the child. What is this pathology and how to treat it?

Characteristics of pathology

Let's consider what a sinus tachycardia is in a child. As mentioned above, this disease is associated with an increase in the frequency of heart contractions. Pulse may significantly exceed the age norm. Such a rhythm is formed from the sinus node, which is the pulse generator, which determines the frequency of the contractions. A wave of excitement appears in it. It extends to the entire heart muscle and promotes its synchronous functioning.

Sinus tachycardia in a child can be prolonged or transient (situational).

Increasing the pulse is, as a rule, the body's response to the impact of internal and external factors:

• Mental stress;
• physical exercise;
• Emotions;
• Prolonged hypoxia;
• Pathology of the heart, lungs.

Causes

Initially, it should be said that sinus tachycardia in a child 6 years old and at a young age is often considered the norm. Such children do not need any treatment. These violations are of a periodic nature. Over time, they pass by themselves. An increase in the pulse to 100-160 beats per minute, which resulted from stress, physical exertion, hyperthermia, prolonged exposure in a stuffy room, is not a sign of pathology. But if this condition is accompanied by additional symptoms (we'll talk about it below), the baby will need treatment of professionals. And special attention should be paid to pathology in the event that the violation is found in a perfectly healthy crumb, which was in a calm state.

What can lead to the development of such a violation? Doctors say that sinus tachycardia appears, as a rule, as a result of the following reasons:

• Heart failure (congenital);
• myocarditis;
• Anemia or hypoglycaemia;
• Defeat of the central nervous system.

In older ages, the sources of the disease in children can be:

• Unevenly developing bodies, leading to a malfunction;
• Stressful situations;
• Diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous systems;
• Too high physical exertion;
• Violation of the thyroid gland.

Characteristic symptomatology

To determine which pulse is considered a symptom of tachycardia, you should familiarize yourself with the age norms. Physicians give the following indicators:

• Babies up to 5 months - 140-160;
• Children 6 months - 130-135;
• Crumbs of 1 year - 120-125;
• Children 2 years old - 110-115;
• Children in 3-4 years - 105-110;
• Children 5-7 years - 100-105;
• Schoolchildren 8-9 years - 90-100;
• Children 10-12 years old - 80-85;
• Adolescents with 12 years old - 70-75.

Pathology is diagnosed if the pulse rate exceeds by 10-60% the specified age norms. Thus, sinus tachycardia is suspected in the child for 1 year with rates above 140 strokes.

However, the development of pathology is indicated not only by the number of cardiac contractions. Additional symptoms characterizing the ailment are:

• Pain in the region of the heart;
• Sudden dizziness;
• Shortness of breath for no reason;
• weakness;
• Darkening in the eyes with sudden movements;
• Fainting condition.

This is manifested pronounced sinus tachycardia in a child.

Methods of diagnosis

To identify this disease, the doctor prescribes special examinations:

• Electrocardiogram. Sinus tachycardia in children on the ECG is quite clearly manifested. The results show a violation of the periodicity and intensity of heart contractions. The teeth on the cardiogram, as well as the intervals between them, allow the doctor to quickly diagnose.
• Ultrasound. The study evaluates the functioning of the heart and the condition of the valves.
• A blood test for the number of thyroid hormones gives an idea of the possible causes of tachycardia.
• MRI allows you to identify the pathology of the heart, provoking the disease.
• Electrocardiogram according to Holter. Such a study makes it possible to record the functioning of the heart for 1 day. With the help of this survey, the work of the organ is determined under various loads.
• Electrophysiological research allows studying the mechanisms of pathology by the method of pulse distribution over the heart.

Methods of treatment

Methods to combat pathology are rather ambiguous. If the symptoms of tachycardia are absent, and the baby is well, then he can do without medication. However, such children are advised to systematically undergo repeated examinations and visit a cardiologist. If the sinus tachycardia of the heart in a child occurs with unpleasant symptoms, then medication is prescribed necessarily. In this case, children are recommended to take drugs, developed mainly for adults. That's why doctors prescribe them very carefully, choosing the right dosages and treatment regimens.

As a rule, the therapy consists of the following groups of drugs:

• Sedatives;
• Medicines taking part in hematopoiesis;
• Vitamin complexes;
• Cardiac glycosides (if the problem is in the heart).

It is extremely dangerous and it is contraindicated to experiment with medicines on your own! With such a pathology, the medicine should be prescribed exclusively by the cardiologist. When a disease provoked by stressful situations, decoctions of soothing herbs are prescribed: motherwort, valerian, mint.

Coping with an attack

Parents should be prepared for the fact that at any time the child may have a sharp manifestation of negative symptoms. If an attack occurs, you need to proceed as follows:

• Be sure to provide air access. Unbutton the collar, bring it or bring the baby to the window.
• Put a cool towel on your forehead.
• Ask the child to take a deep breath and hold his breath for a few seconds. Such a simple procedure allows you to lower your heart rate.

If these actions were not enough, and the condition of the baby does not improve, then immediately call the doctors.

Preventive actions

To avoid the occurrence of such a disease as sinus tachycardia in a child, carefully monitor the health of the crumbs.

It is very important to ensure the following prevention:

• The child should normally rest.
• It is necessary to provide adequate nutrition.
• It is important to protect the baby from stress.
• Ensure a daily stay in the fresh air.
• Properly dose physical exercises, especially if the child is engaged in sports or is a lover of outdoor games.
• Parents need to exclude all bad habits from themselves. After all, they negatively affect the health of children.

Sinus tachycardia is not considered a serious disease. However, monitoring the condition of the child is very important. And if the doctor has prescribed medications, then you must comply with such therapy to the fullest.