It’s natural for parents to worry about their child’s health, and one of the most important factors to monitor is their heart rate. Knowing what is a dangerous heart rate for a child can help you be proactive when it comes to your little one’s wellbeing.
Let’s take a look at the basics of a child’s heart rate and what range should be considered safe.
What is normal?
Though it varies from person to person, there are some general guidelines for what constitutes a normal heart rate for children of different ages.
Generally speaking, newborn babies have the highest heart rates because their hearts are still growing and developing.
The average infant has a resting heart rate from 100-160 beats per minute (bpm).
As they get older, the average drops slightly; between 1-4 years old, an average resting heart rate is around 80-120 bpm. After that, it slowly decreases as they get older; by age 10 or 11, an average resting heart rate should be around 65-95 bpm.
What is a dangerous heart rate for a child?
Knowing what is dangerous when it comes to your child’s heart rate can help you spot potentially serious issues early on and seek medical attention right away if needed.
A dangerously high heart rate in children can range anywhere from 160-240 bpm or higher depending on age—this could indicate infection or other health concerns such as dehydration or fever.
On the other hand, too low of a resting heart rate could signal problems like hypothermia, shock, dehydration, or cardiac arrest in extreme cases.
For this reason it’s important not only to know what your child’s normal range looks like but also understand when you need to consult with your doctor if something falls outside of that range.
How can parents monitor heart ate?
Parents can keep track of their child’s heartbeat in several ways, including manually counting the number of beats per 15 seconds, using a pulse oximeter to measure oxygen levels and detect pulse rate on fingers or toes, and getting an electrocardiogram (ECG) if necessary.
All parents want the best for their kids so being informed on topics like what is a dangerous heart rate for a child will help ensure your family stays healthy and happy!
Knowing what is normal and abnormal when it comes to your child’s heartbeat will give you peace of mind as well as allow you to react quickly if anything falls out of the typical range.
There are many methods available—both digital and manual—which make it easy for any parent to keep track of their little one’s heartbeat at all times so don’t hesitate to ask your doctor about any questions regarding monitoring options! With this knowledge in hand you’ll have everything you need to keep tabs on your baby’s health day in and day out!
