To take DS to a&e?

[endofmytether88]

Posting here for traffic.

DS(7) is we just about to play a game before bed. He said his heart was beating fast. This was 30 mins ago and his heart rate is still through the roof. We've tried deep breathing, drinking water, listening to his videos but it's not slowing. He doesn't feel sick or anything.

What should I do? Would it be OTT to go to hospital?

Maybe ring 111 first?

How fast is it?

I don't have anything to measure it properly but I can literally feel it beating really fast just by lightly putting my hand on his chest. It's as though he's been running. 111 might be a good shout

You can get an app on your phone, put finger to the light.

Count!

Are you able to count the rate? Normal is up to 110 at his age.
Edit: just saw your update. Just use the stopwatch on your phone.

Count how many times in 6 seconds (use a timer) and then times by ten and you'll have the meats per minute.

Brilliant thank you

He hasn’t had anything that could have contained caffeine? New type of vitamins, medication etc?

If he’s feeling OK in himself, 111 is the way to go.

Take him to GPs if it's over 140bpm.
If he is otherwise healthy I would get him in a steamy bathroom. Then see if it comes down. It could be caused by excitement, stress, caffeine or more likely this time of year precursor to a virus.

This! Take pulse for 6 seconds. Add a zero.

Take him to a&e, why mess around with counting or an app for your phone (which won't be accurate), when something could be seriously wrong?

You don't need an app! Just count for a minute.

@CanNeverThinkOfAName omg he finished off my latte I got from McDonald's a couple of hours ago.. could it be that??

Possibly feels faster than it really is? I hope you've managed to count it out measure it like pp have suggested. If you are concerned ring 111.

You should always do 30 secs minimum. Use your stop watch on your phone, count it and put a finger down each time you get to 10, this is much easier when taking a child pulse as it is naturally quicker than an adults.

Ideally a minute, yea absolutely could be caffeine if he isn't used to having any

Yes!

Yes

That'll be the culprit. That's why you shouldn't give children coffee or energy drinks. No point in A&E, they can't do anything except wait for it to wear off.

I wouldn't take him to A&E if he's well in himself and doesn't have a high temperature. As others have said measure his heart rate now (number of beats in 60 seconds) then take again in half an hour after he's been lying down resting, if it's coming down then he should be fine after a rest, if still the same give 111 a call. It's very likely to be the caffeine - a drink of water should help flush it out of his system too

From googling caffeine effects can take 6 hours to wear off. Unlikely to cause issues if a one off. Water to flush it and keep an eye on him.

Is it the first time he’s had coffee? Not recommended for under 12’s at all.

Can You ask him, did it start very suddenly?

if you put your hand over his heart (left side of his chest) how fast does it feel to you? Could you tap out the rhythm or does it feel too fast?

if it’s been like this for more than 10 minutes then really you need to take him to a&e, one of the main reasons for that is so they can catch the rhythm on an ECG and that will help them figure out what it is and what’s causing it.

Ah it was the coffee so.

Count how many times it beats in a minute. Put your hand on his chest and time a minute on your phone.