Hearing your child say their heartbeat feels different can make your own heart skip a beat.
Maybe they tell you while you’re relaxing and watching a movie together. Or they mention it after two grueling hours at baseball practice. They might say their heart is racing or flip flopping in their chest. Now the worries start. What’s wrong? Is it serious? Will this keep happening?
Arrhythmias in children are often harmless and need no treatment. But some arrhythmias do need treatment and long-term monitoring to lower the risk of serious problems. Knowing the difference requires the expertise of providers like those at Cleveland Clinic Children’s. We’ll talk with you and your child about what’s going on and run tests to learn more. We can also diagnose arrhythmias in babies who can’t yet tell you something feels off. No matter your child’s age or situation, we’re here for you and will get to the bottom of what’s going on so you can spend more time making memories and less time worrying about the future.
We know how stressful it can be to take your child to appointments and tests, especially when you’re still learning how an arrhythmia is affecting their heart. We’ll explain each step of the process and take the time to answer all your questions.
Your child can receive care for one or more heart issues, all under one roof. We’re experienced in treating a wide range of complex heart conditions in children, including congenital heart diseases that cause arrhythmias.
We specialize in diagnosing and treating arrhythmias that run in families. We also offer comprehensive care for children with implantable cardiac devices, like pacemakers and defibrillators.
Experts from many specialties work together to give your child top-notch care and tailor a treatment plan to their unique needs. Your child doesn’t just have one provider, but a whole team on their side. Meet our team.
Cleveland Clinic Children’s is a trusted healthcare leader. We’re recognized throughout the U.S. for our expertise and care.
For certain questions and follow-ups, you can simply log online to connect with your child’s provider. All you need is an internet connection and a smartphone, tablet or computer. Talk with your child’s care team to see when virtual visits are an option.
Sometimes an abnormal heartbeat is temporary and harmless, perhaps a result of an illness. Some medications can also cause arrhythmias. Children with congenital heart disease may develop arrhythmias depending on the nature of their heart abnormality and treatments they’ve received for it.
While some arrhythmias go away over time, others may need treatment. We’ve seen it all, and we’re prepared to learn more about your child’s unique situation and recommend the best path forward.
There are many types of arrhythmias in children, ranging from harmless to serious. Some cause no symptoms, while others cause heart palpitations. Less often, children may feel dizzy or lightheaded, faint, have chest pain or feel short of breath. Infants and toddlers may look pale and seem fussy, uninterested in eating or breathe rapidly. What your child feels and what you notice can vary based on the type of arrhythmia.
The most common arrhythmia that affects children is supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). This abnormal heartbeat begins in the top chambers of your child’s heart (atria). There are many specific types of SVT, including:
Other arrhythmias that can affect children include:
We’re here for you and your child beginning with our first conversation. We’ll start by getting to know you and learning about your child’s symptoms. We understand you may feel nervous, and we’ll do everything we can to help you and your child feel comfortable.
We’ll spend some time talking about any symptoms your child feels, or you notice. We’ll go over your child’s medical history and their family history. It helps to know if any biological family members had arrhythmias or other heart conditions. Some types of arrhythmias can run in families.
To learn more, we’ll do a physical exam and tests, like:
If your child doesn’t have symptoms when they have their EKG, we may give you a portable monitor to use at home. It’ll record your child’s heartbeat over a period of days to weeks. We’ll explain exactly how it works and what to do with it.
If we diagnose your child with an arrhythmia, we’ll talk about what that diagnosis means and whether your child needs treatment. We’ll also let you know if they need to limit exercise or other activities. Don’t hesitate to share your questions or concerns with us at any point in this process. We know it’s important to share information with you, but we also know it’s equally important to listen.
Teamwork drives all that we do at Cleveland Clinic Children's. You can expect to work with a dedicated team of pediatric healthcare providers, like:
We offer treatment for arrhythmia in children at the following locations in Northeast Ohio.
Your child may not need any treatment. But if they do, we’ll provide the latest treatments based on their needs. Options include:
We may need to see your child on a regular basis to check up on their heart. We’ll talk with you about any follow-ups your child needs and why they’re important. We’ll also help you and your child manage any lifestyle changes that can help protect their heart, like avoiding certain types of exercise.
As a parent, you want to be able to tell your child everything will be OK. It can be hard to do that when you don’t know exactly what’s wrong. In moments like these, having a healthcare team you trust makes all the difference. We’ll find out what’s going on and what we can do to make things better. Whether the arrhythmia is a harmless, temporary nuisance or a sign of a condition that needs treatment, we’ll be here for you and your family every step of the way.
Getting an appointment with Cleveland Clinic Children’s arrhythmia experts is easy. We’ll help you get the care you need.
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