Table of contents:
- What are sinus arrhythmias?
- Is arrhythmia in children dangerous?
- When do arrhythmias in children need to be aware of?
- Does arrhythmia in children need to be treated?
The human heart beats with a certain regular beat. This beat is almost the same as the movement of the seconds on a watch. However, if there is a disturbance in the cardiovascular system, the rhythm of the heartbeat can change. This is known as arrhythmia. Sinus arrhythmias are a type of arrhythmia and are more common in childhood.
What are sinus arrhythmias?
Sinus arrhythmias have nothing to do with the nasal sinus cavities that are inside the face. Sinus here refers to the sinoatrial or sinus sinus node. This is the part of the heart that is located in the right heart of the heart, and acts as a natural "pacemaker" in regulating the rhythm of a person's heartbeat.
Sinus arrhythmias are divided into two, namely respiratory and non-respiratory. Respiratory sinus arrhythmias are the most common type of sinus arrhythmias, and are associated with reflex action of the lungs and vascular system, especially in children.
While non-respiratory sinus arrhythmias are more common in the elderly with heart disease, how this occurs is not certain.
Is arrhythmia in children dangerous?
Heart rhythm in children in general can vary depending on the age and activity of the child. The resting heart rate generally decreases with age. The normal limits for the heart rate in children are as follows:
- Infants (0 - 1 years): around 100 - 150 heartbeats per minute
- Children under three years: 70 - 11- heartbeats per minute
- Children 3 - 12 years old: 55 - 85 heartbeats per minute
Sinus arrhythmias in children are generally harmless because they are normal and occur when the heart rate tends to change easily according to breathing patterns. One of the causes that are thought to trigger sinus arrhythmias in children is the efficiency of the heart's work in regulating the right amount of oxygen, so that under certain circumstances it can cause symptoms such as arrhythmias.
In the case of sinus arrhythmias, changes in heart rhythm occur when the inhalation process causes the heart rate to increase, whereas the heart rate decreases when exhaling. A child can be said to have sinus arrhythmias when the interval between heartbeats is 0.16 second difference, especially when exhaling.
When do arrhythmias in children need to be aware of?
As in adults, arrhythmias can cause the heart to beat less effectively, resulting in impaired blood flow from the heart to the brain and the rest of the body. The effects of arrhythmias can be serious when the sufferer also experiences the following symptoms:
- Dizzy
- Face looks pale
- Fatigue
- Limp
- Palpitations (heartbeat so loud)
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Loss of consciousness
- Children get angry easily
- Do not want to eat
Arrhythmias in children can be constant, appear and disappear over time, but can also disappear with age. Often the causes and symptoms and arrhythmias in children are unknown.
Does arrhythmia in children need to be treated?
Generally, sinus arrhythmias in children are harmless and will go away on their own as adults. This is because at the age of children, a person's heart is still developing. Any changes in the work of the heart at that time can indeed cause sinus arrhythmias.
Changes in heart rhythm that become higher or lower can depend on the condition and activities of the child. Increased heart rate while playing or after playing is normal, if it is not accompanied by symptoms that interfere with activity.
Apart from sinus arrhythmias, the presence of other heart rhythm disorders in children is a sign of heart problems. Since the type of arrhythmia your child is experiencing is quite difficult to determine without proper testing, you need to be aware that changes in heart rhythm occur too quickly.
If the child has symptoms of arrhythmia, check for other factors such as a history of congenital heart disease, infection, imbalance in body chemistry, especially mineral salts, whether the child has a fever, or is being given certain medications.
Sinus arrhythmias do not require specific treatment, as long as the arrhythmic conditions experienced do not interfere with activity. If it is proven that there are other causes that trigger the arrhythmia, then treatment and control will focus on that.
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