How fast should a child heart beat

Normal Heart Rates for Children

Your child's heart rate (also called pulse) can vary wildly throughout the day. Heart rate is the number of times the heart beats each minute. Daily activities can change how fast or slow the rate fluctuates – from a slow, steady beat while resting or sleeping to a higher rate during exercise.

"There's a wide variation in what a normal heart rate can be depending on the age of the child as well as the biological make-up of that individual child," says Colin Kane, M.D., pediatric cardiologist at Children's Health℠ and Director of the Cardiology Outreach Program. "Even kids who are the same age can have different resting heart rates."

What is a healthy heart rate for a child?

When your child is sitting quietly, their heart rate is considered a resting heart rate. A healthy resting heart rate can vary by age.

Newborns 0 to 1 month old: 70 to 190 beats per minute
Infants 1 to 11 months old: 80 to 160 beats per minute
Children 1 to 2 years old: 80 to 130 beats per minute
Children 3 to 4 years old: 80 to 120 beats per minute
Children 5 to 6 years old: 75 to 115 beats per minute
Children 7 to 9 years old: 70 to 110 beats per minute
Children 10 years and older: 60 to 100 beats per minute

It's likely that your child's pulse stays within these healthy ranges, even if the pulse feels very fast. Understanding the variations in heart rates and how to properly check your child's rate can help keep track and prevent unnecessary concern.

What can change a child's heart rate?

Just as in adults, a child's heart rate will vary depending on the activity level, whether asleep or awake, and whether your child is healthy or ill, calm or stressed.

"Your child's heart rate is typically not linked to an intrinsic heart problem," says Dr. Kane. "Their heart rate can go up with anything that makes them excited or uncomfortable. When this happens, it's just a natural response to stress."

A child might have a fast heart rate if they are:

Playing or exercising vigorously
Experiencing pain
Feeling anxious or stressed
Experiencing a fever or illness
Drinking a lot of caffeine or energy drinks
Dehydrated

If your child is experiencing any of the above, a fast heart rate is typically not a cause for concern, though drinking a lot of caffeine can cause problems in some children. Also, remember that your child's heart naturally beats faster than an adult heart and can get much faster during exercise than an adult heart rate.

However, if your child is experiencing symptoms such as chest pain or trouble breathing along with a fast heart rate, they may need medical attention. Dr. Kane says a good rule of thumb is if your child's heart is beating too fast for you to count the beats, then medical help may be needed.

A child typically experiences a slower heart rate when sleeping. However, if their heart rate is slow in the middle of the day and they show symptoms of lethargy or experience fainting, they may need medical help.

How can I check my child's heart rate?

Measuring your child's pulse is easy. There are several places on the body where you can check the pulse including the wrist, inside the elbow or the side of the neck. For most parents, the wrist is the easiest, most accessible place. To check your child's heart rate, place two fingers on their wrist, below their thumb. Apply gentle pressure until you can feel a slight beat against your fingertips. Count how many beats you feel in 15 seconds. Then multiply that number by 4 to determine your child's heart rate, which is measured in beats per minute.

For instance, if you feel 20 beats in 15 seconds, your child's heart rate is 80 beats per minute, a normal rate.

However, you may not be able to easily find a pulse in infants or younger children who have smaller blood vessels. A medical professional with experience in caring for children will likely need to take their pulse.

"If you're not familiar with taking a pulse, it may take a few tries until you become more comfortable and confident," says Dr. Kane. "The best thing to do if you are concerned is to have a person with medical training check it for you."

If your child has a heart condition requiring heart rate monitoring, your doctor can teach you how to find their pulse and take their heart rate. Some wearable devices and smartphones can also read the heart rate with good accuracy.

If you are worried about your child's heart rate, Dr. Kane recommends you call your pediatrician. "There are very normal and benign conditions that can give your child an irregular heartbeat," he says. "That's why it's best to be evaluated by a medical professional."

What do I do if my child has a rapid heartbeat?

A rapid heartbeat in a child could be a cause for concern. 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. Learn how to check pulse and what a healthy heart rate is via @Childrens.

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The experts at the Heart Center at Children's Health care for all children's heart conditions, from congenital heart defects to heart disease. Find out how they can help keep your child's heart healthy.

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What Your Child’s Heart Rate and Other Vital Signs Tell You

Written by Paige Fowler

How to Read Your Child’s Vital Signs

Your child’s vital signs can give you important health clues. Many things can affect the numbers. But if they’re outside the normal range, it could be a sign of possible health issues.

Note that normal vital sign values for children are different than they are for adults. They also vary depending on age, sex, and weight.

The four vital signs are:

Body temperature
Heart rate
Respiration, or breathing, rate
Blood pressure

Temperature

A fever means your child’s temperature is higher than usual. It’s the main way their body fights an infection.

How to check

Use a digital thermometer to take your child’s temperature in the mouth, or rectally in the bottom. A rectal temperature gives the more accurate reading. That’s the way you should do it if your baby is younger than 3 months. With older infants and children, an oral reading is fine unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Always clean the thermometer in soapy water and rinse with cool water before you use it. Never use the same thermometer to take an oral and rectal temperature.

To take a rectal temperature:

Place your child on their belly across your lap.
Put a small amount of petroleum jelly on the end of a thermometer.
Insert it half an inch into the anal opening.
Remove the thermometer when it beeps and read the temperature. (It’s normal for the baby to poop after the thermometer is removed.)

To take an oral temperature:

Slip the end of the thermometer under your child’s tongue.
Have your child close their lips around the thermometer.
Remove it when it beeps and check the temperature.

Normal temperature

A normal temperature is 98.6 F if taken in the mouth, and 99.6 F if taken in the bottom. If the oral temperature is above 99.5 F or the rectal reading is 100.4 F or higher, your child has a fever.

Call your doctor ASAP if your baby is younger than 3 months and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 F or higher. Even if your baby doesn’t have any other symptoms, a fever in infants can be serious.

Heart Rate

Also called a pulse, this is how many times the heart beats each minute. It’s faster when your child is active and slower when they’re seated or asleep. Your doctor will check the heart rate during well-child visits. If you need to monitor your child’s heart rate because of a medical condition, your doctor will tell you how and how often to check it.

You should also check your child’s pulse if they:

Complain of chest pain or things like a “racing” feeling or a “skipped” heartbeat
Faint
Have trouble breathing (not because of asthma)
Become pale or their lips turn blue

How to check

Make sure your child has been seated for at least 5 minutes before you start. Place your first two fingers on the front of their neck or the inside of the wrist, armpit, or elbow crease. You should feel thumps against your fingers. Set a timer for 30 seconds and count the beats. Double that number, and that’s your child’s heart rate.

Normal heart rate:

Infant (to 12 months): 100-160 beats per minute (bpm)
Toddler (1-3 years): 90-150 bpm
Preschooler (3-5 years): 80-140 bpm
School-aged child (5-12 years): 70-120 bpm
Adolescent (12-18 years): 60-100 bpm

A heart rate that’s slower than usual can signal a problem. For infants, it can mean:

Exposure to certain medications before birth
Breathing problems
A drop in body temperature (hypothermia)

A slower than usual heart rate in kids can also mean there’s an issue in the structure of their heart.

Respiratory Rate

This is how many breaths your child takes per minute. This number may go up when they’re excited, nervous, in pain, or have a high fever. A fast or slow respiratory rate means your child may have trouble breathing. Call your pediatrician if you have any concerns.

How to check

Set a timer for 30 seconds and count the number of times your child’s chest rises. Double that number to get their respiratory rate.

Normal rate (breaths per minute):

Infant (0-12 months): 30-60
Toddler (1-3 years): 24-40
Preschooler (3-5 years): 22-34
School-aged child (5-12 years): 18-30
Adolescent (12-18 years): 12-16

If your baby or child’s pulse is fast or they have any of the following symptoms, it could mean they’re having trouble breathing:

Bluish color around the mouth
Pale or gray skin
A grunting sound with each breath out
Nose flares
Wheezing
Sweating
Tiredness
Upper chest sinks in with each breath
Not eating or drinking well
Vocalizing less

Respiratory distress is serious. It means your child isn’t getting enough oxygen. This might be because of:

An infection
Chronic illness
A blocked airway

Call your doctor or 911, or get to the emergency room right away. Stay calm and try to keep your child calm while keeping them in a comfortable position.

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force of blood as it flows through the vessels that move blood from the heart to the body. Children can get high blood pressure just as adults do. If your child grows up with high blood pressure, or hypertension, it could make them more likely to have a stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and kidney disease.

Blood pressure is measured using two numbers:

Systolic is the first number. It measures how much pressure is on your artery walls each time your heart beats.
Diastolic is the second number. It measures how much pressure is on your artery walls between heartbeats, when your heart is at rest.

Your child might have high blood pressure because of:

A heart defect
Kidney disease
A genetic condition
A hormone disorder
Being overweight

Hypotension is blood pressure that’s too low. It can make your child feel nauseated, dizzy, or faint.

Your child may have low blood pressure because of:

Medication they’re taking
Dehydration
Blood loss
Heart problems
Infection
Allergies
Endocrine problems
Nutrition issues

How to check

Your child’s doctor will start to check blood pressure at age 3. Your child may need to have it checked sooner if they:

Were born prematurely or had low birth weight
Have congenital heart disease
Take medicine that can make blood pressure rise
Have other medical conditions that can lead to high blood pressure

If your doctor tells you to check your child’s blood pressure at home, use an automatic monitor with a cuff that fits on the upper arm. Take the monitor with you to your next appointment so your doctor can check that you use it correctly.

Normal levels

These numbers differ for children, depending on their age, height, and sex. The top number is systolic pressure, and the bottom one is diastolic pressure. Both numbers should be below the limit.

For boys:

1 year old: less than 98/52

2 years old: less than 100/55

3 years old: less than 101/58

4 years old: less than 102/60

5 years old: less than 103/63

6 years old: less than 105/66

7 years old: less than 106/68

8 years old: less than 107/69

9 years old: less than 107/70

10 years old: less than 108/72

11 years old: less than 110/74

12 years old: less than 113/75

For girls:

1 year old: less than 98/54

2 years old: less than 101/58

3 years old: less than 102/60

4 years old: less than 103/62

5 years old: less than 104/64

6 years old: less than 105/67

7 years old: less than 106/68

8 years old: less than 107/69

9 years old: less than 108/71

10 years old: less than 109/72

11 years old: less than 111/74

12 years old: less than 114/75

For boys and girls 13 and older: less than 120/80.

Abnormal Vital Signs

If your child’s vital signs are off, you may need to see a doctor. Vital signs can vary based on time of day and the emotional state of your child. If your child has a drastic change, that could be a sign of a problem.

Your doctor will have a better idea of what’s outside of normal and can monitor your child over time if needed.

Heart palpitations in children

Has your child complained of palpitations (tachycardia) or have you yourself noticed how often and strongly his heart beats? Do not rush to get scared and first determine the cause of such a reaction of the body. This is usually associated with physical or emotional stress, fear or fever due to illness.

You need to know the heart rate values according to the child's age in order to understand if he really has a rapid heartbeat.

Normal heartbeat:

up to a year - 130-150 bpm;
from 1-3 years old - 120 bpm;
from 4-5 years old - 100 bpm;
from 6-7 years old - 90 bpm;
from 8-10 years old - 85 bpm;
from 14-15 years old - 70-75 bpm

If these figures differ, this may be due to the presence of cardiovascular or other diseases.

Baby's heart rate is affected by factors such as:

Age;
Season;
body temperature;
Activity level;
Presence of disease;
Heartbeat measurement time (wake, rest).

Healthy children are physically active and emotional, so an increase in heart rate is normal for them. If the indicators are exceeded, we are talking about tachycardia , which harms the body of a small person and leads to various complications in the cardiovascular system.

A rapid heartbeat in a child may also be a sign of paroxysmal tachycardia, which is characterized by a disorder in the functioning of the heart muscle. The disease may be accompanied by acute attacks of tachycardia lasting up to several hours, as well as nausea and vomiting. In infants, against the background of such an attack, shortness of breath, coughing and even convulsions may occur.

If a child has a rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), it is necessary:

Lay the child on a flat surface;
Try to calm and distract him;
Call a doctor.

Treatment for palpitations

Children of all ages and adolescents diagnosed with palpitations must be treated by a physician. The choice of treatment method should be based on the analysis of data obtained on the basis of the results of diagnostics and the study of the anamnesis of a small patient.

Multidisciplinary medical center "Medicenter" provides services for the treatment of any childhood illness. The Department of Pediatrics is staffed by experienced and qualified pediatric cardiologists who diagnose and treat diseases of the cardiovascular system in the youngest children.

Thanks to the latest equipment and effective methods for detecting and preventing heart diseases, the cardiologists of the Medicenter clinic network have been helping to fight and defeat even the most serious complications that arise in the work of the heart for several years.

Our clinics in St. Petersburg

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Alley Polikarpova 6k2
Primorsky district

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Komendantskiy

Structural subdivision
Zhukov
Prospekt Marshala Zhukov 28k2
Kirovsky district

Avtovo
Veterans Avenue
Leninsky Prospekt

Structural subdivision
Devyatkino
Okhtinskaya alley 18
Vsevolozhsk district

Devyatkino
Civil Avenue
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You can get detailed information and make an appointment by calling +7 (812) 640-55-25

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When does the fetal heartbeat start? Listening methods

The heart is one of the first to form. The process begins from the second week of gestation. By week 4, the embryo has already formed a two-chambered heart. By 6 weeks - three-chamber. By week 7, the fetal heart already has a normal structure. Moms are looking forward to hearing the baby's heartbeat for the first time.

How long can you hear the fetal heartbeat

In the third week of gestation, the expectant mother can hear the fetal heartbeat. This is possible only on ultrasound diagnostics by the vaginal method. Through the abdominal wall, the sensor of the ultrasound machine will not be able to catch the baby's heartbeat. Through the anterior abdominal wall, when using an external sensor, you can hear the beat of the fetal heart at week 7.

The expectant mother can feel the baby's heartbeat on her own if the baby takes a position when his chest is turned with its front part to the anterior abdominal wall. This is possible only at a later date.

How Doctors Listen to a Fetal Heartbeat

Many mothers at the reception at the obstetrician-gynecologist saw how he puts a thin tube with an expanded end - a stethoscope - on the stomach. It allows you to hear the heartbeat but only in the second and third trimester. At first, this is impossible due to the small size of the fetus.

An equally common method is CTG. It is based on the registration of cardiac activity, motor activity of the baby with the help of special sensors. They are placed on the mother's abdomen. Usually this procedure is carried out at 30 weeks. CTG is connected during childbirth to assess the condition of the child during childbirth.

If future parents want to hear the baby's heartbeat on their own, they will have to purchase special devices. Sometimes a conventional phonendoscope will suffice for this purpose. Fetal monitors allow you to read the rate of heart beats. For these purposes, a sensor is applied to the stomach, looking for a place where the signal is heard clearly.

Fetal heart rate norm

During the formation of the cardiovascular system, the heart rate is uneven.

Term	heart rate
5 weeks pregnant	90-115 beats per minute
6-7 weeks of pregnancy	105-130 bpm
8-9 weeks of pregnancy	130-155 beats per minute
13-15 weeks of pregnancy	up to 185 beats per minute

Before delivery, the heart rate remains in the range of 130-180 beats per minute. Just before the birth - 120-160 beats per minute. To see the heart of the fetus, to hear how it beats, the expectant mother can at week 7 on dopplerography - ultrasound.

What to look for when listening to the heart

When auscultating the heart in an embryo, attention is paid to the following indicators:

heart rate. If it is higher than 185 beats per minute - this indicates tachycardia, less than 100 beats per minute - bradycardia. In the 2nd-3rd trimester of pregnancy, the fetal heart rate should not exceed 170 beats per minute;
heart tones. They are clear, sonorous;
heartbeat. Develops according to gestational age. Myocardial contractions occur at regular intervals rhythmically.

If you have any doubts, call our doctors. During a remote consultation, our doctors will explain the heart rate norms, if necessary, select clinics for examination, and will be in touch at any time of the day.

Abnormal fetal heart rate

For the normal and harmonious development of the fetus, a normal heartbeat is important. Any deviation from the norm can cause pathologies and complications.

Bradycardia

Slow heart rate can be caused by:

oxygen starvation;
severe vices;
metabolic disorders in the mother and fetus;
violation of hemostasis in mother and child.

Important! A short delay in fetal heart rate may result from prolonged maternal supine position during pregnancy. In this case, the uterus compresses the pelvic vessels, the vena cava.

Heart defects

Severe diseases with a high risk of death. CHD appear as a result of a violation of embryogenesis. They can be isolated and combined with each other. Causes are genetic mutations. CHD is detected on ultrasound diagnostics.

The causes of pathology can be:

fetal hypoxia;
polyhydramnios;
severe toxicosis;
disorders of the placenta;
intrauterine infections.

Why is the fetal heart rate determined

This procedure allows you to assess the development of the fetus, determine the condition during childbirth. In the first case, deviations from the norm, pathological conditions of the fetus are revealed. The rhythm of the heart is affected by the period of activity of the child, sleep, oxygen levels. Violations associated with these indicators are temporary. If there is a tachycardia in the fetus, doctors suspect a violation of the blood supply to the fetus. This condition is considered chronic.

During childbirth, the baby experiences a lot of stress. Normally, the baby copes with this. In stalemate situations in the form of placental abruption, clamping of the umbilical cord, asphyxia, a quick response of the medical staff is necessary. Therefore, it is important to monitor the fetal heart rate during labor after each contraction. This will allow you not to miss the moment when the fetus will not have enough oxygen.

Example

A 34-year-old woman was referred for an ultrasound diagnosis of pregnancy. The study was conducted transvaginally. The uterus is hypertonic, deviated to the left. Myometrium is homogeneous, without nodes. In the uterine cavity, one fetus KTP \u003d 47.8 millimeters. TVP = 2.1 mm. Rhythmic heartbeat, tachycardia 183 beats per minute. Chorion is normal. The cervix is without pathology. The right ovary is in adhesions, the follicle is up to 4 mm, the left ovary is in adhesions with a corpus luteum with signs of regression up to 17 mm in size, the follicle is 4 mm. Conclusion: uterine pregnancy 11 weeks 4 days. Insufficiency of the corpus luteum. Risk of miscarriage.

FAQ

How many weeks can you hear a fetal heartbeat?

A fetal heartbeat appears at 6 weeks of gestation. Provided that the size of the embryo is more than 2 millimeters. These are signs of a live pregnancy.

When does a fetal heart appear?

The laying of the heart begins at the end of the second week of gestation. it consists of two heart tubes, which, as the fetus develops, are interconnected. Blood flows in a continuous stream. By week 7, the fetal heart has a structure familiar to everyone.

Can an embryo have a heartbeat?

At 21 obstetric weeks, the heart of the fetus begins to beat, or rather the heart tube. By the end of the fourth week, blood circulation in the embryo is established. You can listen to the fetal heartbeat using ultrasound diagnostics.

How long does an ultrasound scan take in the first trimester of pregnancy?

The first ultrasound is performed transvaginally. This examination allows you to identify pathologies, hear how the heart beats. The examination lasts from 15 minutes.