When it comes to treating rhythm abnormalities in children,
there are many options available. Arrhythmias, or abnormal heartbeats in adults
can also affect children. Before going ahead, here’s information on the
life-threatening Ventricular Fibrillation (V-fib).
V-fib is a heart rhythm problem that occurs when the ticker
beats with rapid, erratic, electrical impulses that causes pumping chambers in
the ticker (ventricles) to quiver uselessly, instead of pumping blood. It is
the most common cause of sudden cardiac death. It is an emergency that requires
immediate medical attention, causing the person to collapse within seconds.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and shocks to the ticker with a device
called an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) are the emergency treatment
options. CPR comprises chest compressions and rescue breaths. Proper
application of the procedure can revive the life of a cardiac arrest victim.
Undergo training in a certified training site, such as
Tampa’s AHA certified CPR Tampa. Courses for healthcare as well as
non-healthcare providers are offered. Here’s information on Basic Life Support Tampa classes:
Basic Life
Support Classes- This course is the CPR certification required by all
healthcare and medical professionals, the class satisfies all healthcare and
medical related school programs, such as nursing, dental, medical,
therapy, chiropractic, etc. This AHA CPR class covers infant, child and adult
CPR and AED training.
The other CPR courses for healthcare providers include
Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. Sign up for
a course after going through the course curriculum.
Tips to Treating Abnormal Heart Rhythms in children:
Medications- Rhythm
disorders like tachycardias respond to medications with there being several drugs,
and development of more drugs in the pipeline. The drugs do not cure the
arrhythmia, but can improve symptoms by preventing the episodes from starting,
decreasing the rate of heart during the episode or reducing how long the
episode lasts. When it comes to a child, it can be hard sometimes to find the
best medication. It is required for some children to take medication every day
whereas for others medications are required only when they have a tachycardia
episode. It is important to take medications as prescribed.
Every medication has side effects, including drugs to treat
arrhythmias. The side-effects mostly aren’t serious and disappear when the dose
is changed or the medication is stopped. Some side effects can be very serious,
that’s why some children are admitted to the hospital to begin the medication.
It is important that your child take the medication just the way the doctors
prescribe it.
Monitoring how much drug is in your child’s blood is often
necessary where the main objective is to make sure there’s enough of the drug
to be effective, but not so much that damaging side effects occur.
Surgery- Surgery
that interrupts the abnormal connection in the heart is required sometimes to
permanently stop the tachycardia.
Pacemaker- Pacemaker
can help control a variety of rhythm disorders with the most common reason to
use a pacemaker being slow heart rates, such as heart block. A pacemaker is a
small device that is put inside the body and connected to the heart with a thin
wire, it works by sending small, painless amounts of electricity to the ticker to
make it beat.
There are many different models and brands of pacemakers that
exist, and inserting the device is a simple operation. Some device can sense when
your child is active and increase the heart's beating to keep up with exercise.
Your child will need regular checkups if he or she has a pacemaker. Checking the
pacemaker's battery and making sure the wires are working properly are of vital
importance. Although the batteries last for years, still the device will need
to be replaced periodically throughout the user’s lifetime. Most children with
the device can engage in normal activities, the doctor may advise against
participating in some contact sports though.
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