Palpitation is a term used for various symptoms. The term palpitations generally refers to the feeling of abnormal heart rhythm, such as rapid heartbeat, fluttering, or skipping heartbeats.
What is Premature Beat?
The heart has its own electrical system that organizes the movement of its four chambers. The sinus node is the heart's natural stimulus focus (pacemaker) and generally sends signals to the remaining parts of the conduction system at regular intervals.
Sometimes, signals may emerge from other areas of the heart that can activate the electrical system before the sinus node. These are called premature or premature beats.
Premature beats that start from the upper chambers of the heart (atria) are called premature atrial contraction or atrial premature beat.
Sometimes premature beats originate from the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles). . These are called premature ventricular contraction or ventricular premature beats.
People with normal hearts may also have premature beats, and while others feel every extra beat, they are not aware of the existence of these beats.
Caffeine and stress affect the heart rate. Things that increase the rate can cause premature beats to occur more frequently. Some people may have premature atrial contractions (PACs) associated with mitral valve prolapse.
What is Palpitations?
Fast rhythms or tachycardias, as well as extra single beats, may also cause palpitations.
Some children, especially young adults, are aware that their heart rate increases as a natural response to exercise or stress. This is called sinus tachycardia and is normal.
In some children, there are extra connections in the heart's electrical system that cause the heart rate to increase abnormally.
What Could Happen If My Child Has Palpitations?
Premature beats are common and usually not dangerous. There are some situations where these extra beats need to be examined further.
Further examination is recommended, especially if these beats are associated with other symptoms such as fainting.
How to Detect the Cause of Palpitations? strong>
A good history and physical examination are useful in finding the cause of palpitations.
If the child faints while the heart is beating rapidly, this may be a sign of ventricular tachycardia and should be evaluated by a doctor immediately.
Most children with palpitations have a normal heart examination. If the examination is not normal, there is a possibility of a structural heart problem causing palpitations.
The examination may give clues about heart functions, which may be strongly related to palpitations.
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