Heart rate in child during exercise test

[stevie_wonder]

My 9 year old just had an exercise test done for Long Qt Syndrome. His heart rate only went up to 139 during the test. Haven't got the results back from the cardiologist yet. Doesn't that seem a little low for a child?

[anacyde]

Indeed slower heart rates can provide the opportunity for arrhythmias.  Is your child's heart rate on the low side typically, or was it just an issue of reaching max HR for age?

It sounds like a complicated situation.  I hope you get everything figured out soon, and get some resolve to these problems so you can rest easier and your child can feel better.

[stevie_wonder]

Actually the doctor told me that low heart rates can trigger the arrythmia in long qt syndrome. He also has junctional escape rhythms which I have read can lead to TdP (the bad arrythmia) in the long qt syndrome.
Are junctional escape rhythms common in children. I have read that they usually happein in children while sleeping and also in adults. He had them during a stress test.
Thanks
Stevie

[CollegeGirl143]

If he had a junctional escape rhythm that definatly needs to be addressed.. Im not a pediatric cardiologist, so i dont know how common they are in children, but they are not uncommon in adults. I wouldnt worry too much about the heart rate being on the low side during the test. The high 130's isnt that low unless they where trying to reach the max rate (probably around 200 because its a child) and couldnt do it.. Try doing a web search on the rhythm the doctor saw

[CollegeGirl143]

it does seem a little low, but that also doesnt mean anythings wrong. As far as long QT goes, ide say thats a good sign, since long qt can trigger an extremely excessive heart rate during excerisze... Might just be your child is extremely athletic and just wasnt being challenged.