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Your cardiologist may also recommend an echocardiogram, which is a targeted ultrasound of the heart, to look for structural and functional abnormalities. If your child is referred to a pediatric cardiologist, they will likely undergo several heart tests, including an electrocardiogram (ECG), which will look at the heart rhythm to see if there are any abnormal electrical patterns. These are the red flags we want parents and the community to be vigilant about." When your child needs to see the cardiologist Never hesitate to contact someone if there's syncope with sports or with any rigorous activity, or with chest pain or heart fluttering. However, they also need to be promptly evaluated by a cardiologist and restricted from exertion until cleared by the appropriate medical providers. "A child who passes out with exertion or soon thereafter should be, of course, resuscitated and stabilized. "The most important thing is to seek care in the moment," Dr. If your child has experienced fainting spells associated with any of these warning signs, it’s important that they be evaluated by a pediatric cardiologist right away. A family history of sudden cardiac arrest, arrhythmias or cardiomyopathy.Fainting accompanied by chest pains and/or heart palpitations.“If a person is playing sports and falls to the ground mid-stride, they should be immediately evaluated for serious cardiac conditions.” “Syncope with exertion raises a red flag,” says Dr. However, there are a few specific warning signs that could suggest a more serious condition. Most children will experience similar symptoms before they faint. Functional heart disease, such as cardiomyopathy or myocarditis.Arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, including bradycardia (too slow) or tachycardia (too fast).Heart conditions associated with fainting can include:
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Cardiovascular syncopeįainting spells can sometimes be the first warning sign of an undiagnosed heart disease. Below, Emmanuelle Favilla, MD, attending physician in the Division of Cardiology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), explains what to look out for and when to call your child’s pediatrician. In these cases, prompt evaluation by a pediatric cardiologist is critical. Rarely, however, syncope can be a sign of an underlying cardiovascular condition, such as an arrhythmia, congenital heart disease or cardiomyopathy. On a hot day, a high school athlete who has forgotten to hydrate or eat may pass out during practice. In the midst of a temper tantrum, for example, a toddler may hold their breath long enough to induce a fainting spell. While fainting - especially in children - can be very frightening, most children who experience a fainting spell don’t have a serious underlying health condition.
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A person faints when their blood pressure drops and reduces the flow of blood to the brain.
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