What does an abnormal EKG mean for a child?

What does an abnormal EKG mean for a child?

Electrocardiography (ECG, sometimes called EKG) is a simple, fast test to check the electrical activity of your child’s heart as it beats and blood moves through it. Abnormal ECG results may mean there is a problem with your child’s heart.

What does it mean when your EKG is high?

Defects or abnormalities in the heart’s shape and size: An abnormal EKG can signal that one or more aspects of the heart’s walls are larger than another. This can signal that the heart is working harder than normal to pump blood.

What does an EKG show in child?

Getting a pediatric electrocardiogram This test gives doctors information about the rhythm of the heart and whether the electrical activity is too fast, slow or irregular and if the heart’s chambers are too large or overworked. The pediatric electrocardiogram is painless and takes just a few minutes to complete.

What should I do if my child’s heart rate is high?

If your child’s heartbeat is too fast, you should call your pediatrician. Share the pulse you counted with them, and they will let you know the best next steps. If your child’s heart is beating too fast for you to count the beats, that could be cause for concern.

Is an abnormal EKG always bad?

An abnormal EKG does not necessarily indicate life-threatening heart disease or any heart disease at all, for that matter. In fact, EKGs can be abnormal for many reasons, and a cardiologist is most qualified to figure out why.

Why would a child have an ECG?

Why might my child need an exercise ECG? Your child’s healthcare provider may want to do an exercise ECG if your child was born with or has symptoms of a heart problem. It may also be advised if your child has an irregular heart rhythm or changes in a resting ECG.

What happens if an ECG is abnormal?

An abnormal ECG can mean many things. Sometimes an ECG abnormality is a normal variation of a heart’s rhythm, which does not affect your health. Other times, an abnormal ECG can signal a medical emergency, such as a myocardial infarction /heart attack or a dangerous arrhythmia.

Can abnormal EKG be wrong?

Most of the time severe abnormalities that pop up without any other symptoms are a sign of improper lead placement or an incorrect ECG procedure. However, markedly abnormal ECGs with symptoms are considered a medical emergency that requires treatment or surgery.

What does it mean when your child has an EKG?

Electrocardiography (ECG, sometimes called EKG) is a simple, fast test to check the electrical activity of your child’s heart as it beats and blood moves through it. Abnormal ECG results may mean there is a problem with your child’s heart.

What causes an abnormal heart rate on an EKG?

This tissue will not conduct electricity as well, which can cause an abnormal EKG. Ischemia, or lack of blood flow, may also cause an abnormal EKG. Heart rate abnormalities: A typical human heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm). An EKG can determine if the heart is beating too fast or too slow.

What causes a child’s heart rate to increase?

Kids can get abnormal heart rhythms, called dysrhythmias (diss- rith -mee-uhs…25 cents!) that cause the heart rate to increase. These are typically quite dramatic; I’ve had families say that they could see their child’s heart beating rapidly underneath their shirt from across the room!

What should the sampling rate be for an ECG?

This sampling rate is probably inadequate for the high frequency content of the ECG in young children. Most modern ECG recorders will sample at > 500 Hz or greater and observers should be aware of this fact when interpreting an ECG generated by such equipment. The more recent studies 2,3 used sampling rates of 500 or 1200 Hz.