Bradycardia in 12 year old

[Autumn101]

Does anyone have any experience with low heart rate in children?

I had to take DS2 (just turned 12) for a hospital appointment for something unrelated and his heart rate was flagged as low in a general checkup - around 42-46 at various times we were there. The consultant was a bit concerned so he had bloods (all fine) and 2 ECGs which were normal apart from the heart rate.

She’s now referred him to a cardiologist as they have seen his results and feel further investigation is needed.

Has anyone had anything like this? I’m trying to remain calm and rational as in all other aspects he’s a perfectly average 12 year old but it’s all a bit unexpected! He did have some health issues as a baby (not heart related) but these were all largely resolved by the time he was 3 and nothing since.

I’ve checked him again since we’ve been home and it’s still low, only increase has been to about mid 50s after a walk.

I had this flagged up in my teens, and was referred for cardiology tests, but other than having an unusually low heart rate - everything else was fine. Am in my 50s now, and still have a resting rate around 40, which causes me no issues.
I think they are more keen to ensure that it rises appropriately during activity - I've had treadmill tests for this, which seemed to satisfy them that everything was functioning ok.
Hope all turns out well for your son.

That’s good to know Utis, thank you

That’s good to know Utis, thank you

My DH had this, there was talk about a pacemaker as he intermittently passed out, after many tests they concluded no treatment was needed. Hope you dd get seen soon, it's so worrying when it's your child.

Thanks Rupert, I’m hopeful he will be fine as he’s never had any symptoms, this was just an incidental find!

My HR has always been low was remarked upon as a child and ever since. I do have a congenital heart defect but cardiologist says it is not related to that. Now it hovers around 43-49.
My teen daughter also has a congenital heart defect and has a slightly higher than normal heart rate, her cardiologist says no connection.
Hopefully you get appointment and tests soon.

Does he do a lot of physical exercise? It’s fairly normal for people who are very active to have lower than normal resting heart rates.

My dad has always been in the 40s was investigated as a young adult and was ok, he's now a hale and hearty almost 87 year old!! My son has always been 40s too but because of my dad, I honestly never thought to have it investigated.

He’s pretty active but I wouldn’t say anything significantly more than the average 12 year old who loves football! He has always been very fit naturally though when they’ve done beep tests at school or long distance running - he’s always near the top for that. His brother is similar and I’ve checked his heart rate and it’s around 60-65 so in the normal range but on the low end (doctor said they’d expect it to be 60-100 for his age range).

It was a purely incidental find, he was at an appointment for something totally unrelated and it was remarked upon during a general examination. They then rechecked, got someone else to check, all looked very serious, did an ecg, spoke to a cardiologist who advised anything under 50 should be investigated. It surprised me really as he’s totally fine in every other way! If I think rationally I’m sure it’s all fine but there’s always that slight anxiety, probably more for him as he had some health issues when he was little.

Anything that comes up as abnormal in heart checks usually has to be investigated, but most of the time it turns out to be nothing at all, just variation between people.

Hi jus seen your post any update on your son my 5 year old little boy also has a low heart rate at 60 and drops to 50s while he’s sleeping this was also flagged up by accident his ecg has came back ok but doctor has refferd him to cardiology for further tests. Apart from that he his slight asthmatic witch I thought he was growing out of. As he seems fit and well. I am out my mind with worry over this now I don’t know how long the refferal will take

@Jben4176 he’s absolutely fine! We moved to a new private health provider recently through my husbands job and all had a health check - turns out my husbands resting heart rate is low 50s, as is my other son! So it’s just been put down as a genetic thing. He had a full check with cardiology and they’re happy he’s just a fit and healthy child. His resting rate is around 42 so pretty low!

I really hope you get seen soon, it’s very worrying when you first hear x

thankyou so much for replying maybe it is a genetic thing as a few of the boys in my mums family also have low heart rates xx

We went through this when DS was 8. He fainted and whilst getting him checked over at GP she noted his HR was 50ish and referred him for tests. He ended up having all sorts of investigations (24 hour HR monitor, ex test, ECGs) and an ECHO which unearthed a tiny PDA (vessel between heart chamber / pulmonary vessel which usually closes completely at birth). Apparently this is incidental and unrelated to faint and bradycardia. After much stressful to-ing and fro-ing to appointments, paediatric cardiologist declared him fit as a fiddle and discharged him, apparently his low heart rate is simply normal for him; he's pretty active but not elite athlete standard.

That’s so re assuring to know Thanks girls for replying to me I have been worried so much I am constantly checking his stats 🙈 will let yous know how he gets on xx

Forgot to mention in my post my son had an operation last Wednesday. I asked the doctor at hospital could it have been the medication he was giving to put him asleep and morphine causing the slow heart rate and they said definitely not. But other people have said it could be x