Tele-triage for Palpitations in Children

Audience: pediatric

Palpitations are feelings that your child's heart is beating too fast, too hard, or irregularly. They can be caused by many things, such as excitement, fever, or dehydration. In children, palpitations are often harmless but sometimes need medical attention. Telemedicine can help assess your child's symptoms quickly and guide you on next steps. During a tele-visit, a healthcare provider will ask about your child's symptoms, medical history, and any other signs they may have. This helps decide if your child can be safely managed at home or needs urgent in-person care. Knowing when to seek emergency care is important. If your child has chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting, or palpitations with other serious symptoms, call emergency services immediately. Tele-triage is a useful tool for early evaluation but does not replace a full physical exam or tests that may be needed in person.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Child experiences chest pain with palpitations — seek emergency care immediately.
• Child faints or loses consciousness during or after palpitations — call emergency services.
• Child has severe difficulty breathing, blue lips or face, or extreme weakness — get urgent in-person care.

What telemedicine can do

• Initial assessment of palpitations and symptom discussion.
• Guidance on home care and monitoring.
• Advice on when to seek emergency or in-person care.
• Review of medical history related to palpitations.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Performing physical examination or heart tests like ECG.
• Diagnosing heart rhythm disorders definitively.
• Managing life-threatening emergencies.
• Providing treatments that require in-person procedures or monitoring.

What Are Palpitations in Children?

Palpitations mean your child feels their heart beating in an unusual way. It might feel like fluttering, pounding, or skipping beats. Many times, palpitations happen because of harmless causes like anxiety, fever, or too much caffeine. Sometimes, they can be signs of heart rhythm problems or other medical conditions that need evaluation.

How Telemedicine Can Help

A telemedicine visit lets you talk with a healthcare provider using video or phone. The provider will ask about your child's symptoms, how long they last, and any other health issues. They can guide you on whether your child needs urgent care or if home care is okay. Tele-triage is fast and convenient, especially when you are unsure about the seriousness of symptoms.

When to Seek In-Person Care

If your child has palpitations along with chest pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath, or very fast heartbeat, they need immediate medical attention. Also, if palpitations happen with fever, weakness, or swelling, see a doctor in person. These signs may mean a more serious problem that telemedicine alone cannot fully assess.

Preparing for a Telemedicine Visit

Before your tele-visit, make sure you have a quiet place with good internet or phone connection. Have your child's medical history ready, including any medications they take. Note when the palpitations started, how often they happen, and what seems to trigger them. If possible, have a watch or device to check your child's pulse rate.

After the Tele-Visit: What to Expect

Your healthcare provider may recommend home care, such as rest and hydration, or suggest follow-up tests like an ECG. They might advise you to watch for specific symptoms and when to return for care. Follow their instructions carefully and seek emergency care if your child's condition worsens.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Find a quiet, well-lit place with good internet or phone connection.
• Have your child's medical history and medication list ready.
• Note details about the palpitations: onset, duration, frequency, triggers.
• Have a watch or device to check pulse rate if possible.
• Prepare to describe any other symptoms your child has.
• Write down questions or concerns to discuss with the provider.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the healthcare provider's advice on home care and symptom monitoring.
• Schedule any recommended follow-up tests or visits.
• Watch for red flag symptoms and seek emergency care if they occur.
• Keep a symptom diary to track palpitations and related signs.
• Contact your provider if symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop.

FAQs

What causes palpitations in children?

Palpitations can be caused by many factors including excitement, fever, dehydration, anxiety, or sometimes heart rhythm problems. Most are harmless but some need medical evaluation.

Can telemedicine diagnose heart problems in my child?

Telemedicine can help assess symptoms and guide care but cannot replace physical exams or tests like ECGs needed to diagnose heart conditions.

When should I take my child to the emergency room for palpitations?

Go to the emergency room if your child has palpitations with chest pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath, blue lips, or extreme weakness.

Is it safe to manage palpitations at home?

Many palpitations are harmless and can be managed at home with guidance from a healthcare provider. Always follow their instructions and watch for warning signs.

What information should I provide during a telemedicine visit?

Share details about your child's palpitations, how often they occur, any triggers, other symptoms, medical history, and medications. This helps the provider assess your child's condition accurately.

Sources

1. Palpitations in Children — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Heart Palpitations — Mayo Clinic.
3. When to Seek Emergency Care for Children — American Academy of Pediatrics.
4. Telemedicine: What You Need to Know — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This telemedicine guidance is for educational and triage purposes only. It is not a substitute for in-person medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. If your child has serious symptoms or you are concerned about their health, seek immediate in-person care or emergency services.