Are palpitations normal for teenage girls?

[tinkerbell222]

my dd is going to be 13 next month.
she was a healthy girl but in the last couple of months we are experiencing some differences in her health. she is very tall for her age.
she likes to relax at half term, but I take her out at least once every 2 days.
yesterday after about 40 mins brisk walk she felt palpitations and she turned pale.
she feels them from time to time but yesterday got me worried.
what should we do? is this normal, will it go away in time?
thank you very much in advance.

No, not normal. Please talk to a doctor and not to internet strangers.

I took her to doctors.
ecg was done, everything turned to normal.
I wanted a blood test a few times but they didn't see a need for that.
was her blood sugar levels were low at the time I heard.
should I take her to gp again?

and at that time the nurses in ambulance said 80% girls have palpitations.

I would go again. The problem with an ECG is that it only records for about a minute, so in the case of palpitations if they don't "catch" them then it won't show anything. I had palpitations during pregnancy. I think they can be related to hormones which would fit in with your DD's age. However, you must see a doctor again. Try to push for a 24 hour heart monitoring, this will give a more accurate picture. I hope it turns out to be nothing to worry about.

'Normal' things that give you palpitations: low blood pressure, low blood sugar, caffeine, dehydration.

I get them sometimes - for me it's usually the last two. Although a hole in the heart is also certainly a cause so good you got it checked out.

if it was a hole in the heart would it occur after certain age?

I had palpitations in my early 20s. Still do, sometimes. After testing I've been told they are perfectly normal but sometimes people notice them, and then they become more aware of them, if you see what I mean.

HOWEVER, i had an ultrasound of my heart, (possibly an echo cardiogram?) and a 3 day ECG to check. It's probably nothing but IMO she should be checked more thoroughly.

When my thyroid is off kilter I get palpitations. Was diagnosed at age 15.

Would recommend keeping calm in front of your daughter, but further investigating with gp.

I notice these palpitations occur after a very rested period.
she didn't mention about them at school time.
what does low blood sugar levels mean? what can it indicate?

Depends how low is 'low'. I'm guessing not low enough for them to start testing for diabetes, so she may have just needed to eat something. It can be normal,yes, but this conclusion should only ever be settled upon after fairly exhaustive testing! Get her to the GP and get a referral to cardiology, she needs an echo and a 24-hour ECG to make sure it's nothing that needs fixing. She'll need blood tests too.

Palpitations can also be a symptom of anaemia, I had terrible palpitations when I was anaemic.

But, obviously, yes, she really should see a doctor, it could be anything or nothing really.

I had them as a teen, and still do occasionally. But I've never been tested for anything to do with them (wasn't considered serious enough to worry about). I'm 46 now and never had a real problem.

Low blood sugar can happen if people are dieting, not eating enough, skipping breakfast, over-exercising without eating to compensate etc. etc.

She should be thoroughly tested but chances are that it isn't anything to worry about; but push for more thorough testing if you're not happy with what she's had done so far.

thanks for all your advices.
she was checked in hospital children's emergency a few times in January, I wasn't given a report, but they said not worry each other and try to be positive.
but I will try to push for a cardiologist referral as soon as possible.
I feel so worried :( and I am a single parent.
also, she is quite health conscious worrying about everything.
when she sees me upset she will try not to say much to me but I am keeping a close eye on her till referral without talking much about it.

She does need checking, tinker, but just to offer a bit of reassurance... When I was about the same age, I had palpitations and sometimes a weird dizziness. At 14, I even had a temporary paralysis where I lost the use of my legs for about 10 hours. I was tested for all sorts of things including diabetes (my bro is type 1) and anaemia, and then given an ECG and EEG. Everything was normal. The docs said palpitations were normal for teenage girls and the legs were stress (tho I'm also hypermobile and that may have played a role). I'm 48 now and haven't developed any related heart or nervous system problems. Be vigilant, but try not to worry too much. :)

thanks very much flow4 :)

Hello, I know this is an old post but have you managed to sort it out? I have a very tall girl (now 10-year-old) and she also has them from time to time

I've had them since I was about 16...ectopic beats. Usual triggers include dehydration, anxiety, tiredness, alcohol...I'm 36 now and still get them daily. The only time when they cause problems is pregnancy unfortunately!

I would push for a referral too if I were in your position. Ask for a longer monitor.