My 4 year old came down with a fever today with no other symptoms. He has been sleeping and I noticed that his heart is beating really fast. He is laying on his side and I could see the movement of his heart pounding on his neck. I put my hand over his chest and I could feel it beating fast. Is that normal? Anyone know why this might be happening? TIA!
Take him to the dr. My friend lost her 2 year old to a heart virus which happened from a cold. Don't take ANY chances.
I noticed the same thing the last time my daughter was sick. It freaked me out, but the doctor said it was totally normal. The body is working overtime to fight the fever. Call your doctor if you're still concerned.
Have you taken his pulse? Seeing it can be really deceiving as to how far it really is... so it might seem faster than it actually is. The normal resting heart rate for a 4 year old is between 60 and 110 beats per minute.
When he is sick, his body his working really hard to fight off the sickness, so it is normal to have it a little closer to the higher end of normal.
If you are concerned, take his pulse and call the nurse line for further advice.
Good luck!
Not too sure but I would definitely call the ped. about this...
That happened with my youngest a few times. My doctor told me that a fever can cause the heart to beat faster...and not to worry...fever went away and so did the fast heart beat.
-M
My 2 youngest daughters have rapid heart beats and rapid breathing when they get fevers over 101. I was told by Cardinal Glennon Childrens Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri that this is normal for children. Call your pediatrician and speak to the triage nurse. If you are truly concerned and think this may be an emergency, take him to the closest ER.
