Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is an arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) that is quite rare in children. It can occur in children with cardiomyopathy, following some heart surgeries, and with inherited diseases that affect the heart’s electrical system (e.g. Long QT syndrome, Brugada’s syndrome).

Why would a child have tachycardia?

Primary pathologic sinus tachycardia in children is rare. Almost always sinus tachycardia is caused by a secondary problem outside the heart. For example fever, infection, hypothyroidism, anemia, or any other problem that increases the metabolic rate can result in sinus tachycardia.

How do you detect ventricular tachycardia?

The most common test used to diagnose ventricular tachycardia is an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG). An EKG records your heart’s electrical activity. Electrodes (small sticky patches) are placed on your chest and arms to record the heart’s rhythm, and the pattern prints on graph paper.

What is considered tachycardia in a 5 year old?

The Advanced Paediatric Life Support criteria define tachycardia, by age of the child and heart beats per minute (bpm), as: age <12 months: >160 bpm. age 12–24 months: >150 bpm. age 2–5 years: >140 bpm.

Is V tach life-threatening?

Ventricular tachycardia may last for only a few seconds, or it can last for much longer. You may feel dizzy or short of breath, or have chest pain. Sometimes, ventricular tachycardia can cause your heart to stop (sudden cardiac arrest), which is a life-threatening medical emergency.

Can Vt be cured?

Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) in patients without structural heart disease. Ventricular tachycardia can also occur in patients with structurally normal hearts, unrelated to any history of coronary artery disease. It can occur in both the young and the old, and can be a benign, potentially treatable and curable condition …

Is V tach an emergency?

What are the signs and symptoms of ventricular tachycardia?

Brief episodes of ventricular tachycardia may not cause any symptoms in some people. Others may experience: Dizziness. Shortness of breath. Lightheadedness. Feeling as if your heart is racing (palpitations) Chest pain (angina) Seizures.

What are the symptoms of supraventricular tachycardia in babies?

Symptoms. In infants and very young children, signs and symptoms may be difficult to identify. Sweating, poor feeding, pale skin and infants with a pulse rate greater than 200 beats per minute may have supraventricular tachycardia.

What are the symptoms of SVT in children?

In children who are slightly grown up, SVT is accompanied with symptoms like general weakness, pain in the stomach, palpitations, nausea, dizziness and a slight discomfort in the chest region. Children can be taught to control their heart rate with a technique known as Valsalva maneuver.

Is there a cure for supraventricular tachycardia in children?

Doctors only call for treatment if the tachycardia episodes are either too common or too prolonged. Treatments often prove effective with the symptoms stopping after the first six to twelve months of treatment. Supraventricular Tachycardia can occur in children of all ages.