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Normal Heart
Beat in Children: |
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What is Heart Beat?
If you bring your ear close to the left side of your child chest,
you will hear a Lub-Dub, Lub-Dub, Lub Dub sound that is
regularly repeating itself in less than a second. Each Lub-Dub
sound marks one heart beat.
What is Heart Rhythm?
The time from one Lub-Dub (Heart beat) to the next Lub-Dub
(Heartbeat) is the same, making a regular heart rhythm. |
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What is Heart Rate?
The number of times the heart beats per minute.
Heart rate varies
with age:
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Newborn |
130-160
beats/minute |
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6 Months |
100
beats/minute |
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Toddler |
70-80
beats/minute |
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Terms you should know:
Tachycardia=Fast Heart Rate
When the heart beats fast this is called Tachycardia.
Bradycardia=Low Heart Rate
When the heart beats slower this is called Bradycardia. You have
a low heart rate when you are relaxing or sleeping. |
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Terms you should know:
Physiologic Tachycardia:
When the heart normally beats fast this called Physiologic Tachycardia.
The heart is beating fast to supply the blood with more oxygen
and nutrients that is needed during high energy need. |
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The following conditions make
the heart NORMALLY beat faster: |
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Fever
 The
body organs have higher energy needs, so the heart has to beat
faster to supply them with oxygen.
Exercise
The body muscles are working hard. They need more oxygen and
need to get rid of the acid which is accumulating in them.
Fear and Anxiety
Not enough oxygen in the air. |
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Anemia
 The
amount of oxygen that each red cell can carry is reduced, so
the heart has to beat faster to keep enough supply of oxygen
to the brain.
Difficulty Breathing
Such as with Asthma. |
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Abnormal Heart
Beat in Children
Parents usually become concerned
about their child's heartbeat: |
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When they notice that their child's
heart is beating very fast as if it is jumping out of his chest
even when he was just sitting around. |
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When an 8 year old complains
that his heart was beating fast when he was sitting in class.
When a teen is complaining
of her heart skipping a beat or making an extra beat. |
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