Concerned about my 3 year old’s heart rate

[Bigredtaxi]

I just checked it with my oximeter as I thought it was beating fast.
His oxygen registered at 98% and his heart rate at 124bpm! He was just sitting down…now my anxiety is in overdrive, I’m scared to let him sleep tonight

That's barely outside of normal for a three year old?

Small children have a faster heart rate than adults, so I wouldn't be concerned, personally, but if you are, call your gp.

Completely normal for a 3 year old. Children have higher heart and respiratory rates and lower blood pressures than adults. As children age the first 2 gradually lower and the blood pressure gradually increases until it reaches "normal" adult levels of lower heart and respiratory rates and higher blood pressure. Hope that makes sense.

Paediatric nurse here. That's absolutely fine for a three year old. Espoused he's just been active.

Especially.

Yes YABU what a stupid thing to do. See the kinder replies above and don't try and take medical readings without any apparent knowledge at all.

95-140 is normal for a 3 year old. Normal breathing rate is 25-30 per min while we're at it.

Kids have a higher heart rate 🤷‍♀️

Is there any reason why you’re using an oximeter, OP? I only ask as I also use one for my 3 year old int be context of repeated hospital visits for viral wheeze. I use it along with other observations to make decisions about his care - it’s not as useful when used alone. Is everything ok?

Sounds about right to me.
Are you generally very anxious?

I had/have health anxiety. Thanks for the reassurances though.

Babies and toddlers have faster heart rates than adults

They have smaller hearts and lungs, it has to beat faster - like in a mouse or a hamster

OP maybe it would be with learning a little about temperatures, breathing etc for children so you can tell the difference. If you start panicking it could rub off on him.

Don't use one of these if you don't need to. You'll just pass on your anxieties to him .. it's a little like you're playing doctors and nurses here

I’m scared to let him sleep tonight

If his heart rate had actually been high, how exactly would sleep deprivation have helped

@Bigredtaxi

I had/have health anxiety. Thanks for the reassurances though.

Did you have a reason to test in the first place? Randomly testing your child for sat rate and heart rate isn't healthy at all.

You need to seek help and not have your health anxiety affect your child.