very hard and fast heartbeat

[livioli]

my daughter (4) has been sick with what i think is just the flu, temp of 102, throwing up, and runny bowel movements, but i have noticed her heart is beating very fast and very hard, i can see her pulse in her neck and i can feel her heart beating down in her tummy, is this something i should get checked? she has a history of a heart murmur caused by what i believe the cardiologist called it and atrial shunt, where the flap in her heart didnt completely close when she was born.. is this something that needs to be addressed by a dr or should i just wait it out and see if it goes away?

[specialmom]

Well, if she is urinating, that is a good sign.  That means she is hydrated to do that.    If you are getting some liquid in, that is great.  I would make my kids drink 2 sips or at least one every 15 to 20 minutes.  My pediatrician told me to do that when you are trying to make sure a child doesn't get dehyrated.  

If she seems fine today, it may be worth a call but I'm sure she'll be fine.  

I'm glad she is better today!   good luck

[livioli]

well, shes fine now today, her heart beat feels normal now, she has had water and some pedialite, and popsicles, but i wonder if i should still take her in...

[specialmom]

A rapid heart rate under the situation you describe with the flu could be a sign of dehydration.  My son was sick like your daughter and it felt like his heart was beating out of his chest.  We took him to the ER and he was determined to be quite dehydrated and needed 5 hours of IV fluids.  Call your doc about this without delay.

Another reason that heart rates in kids will speed up signficantly is pain.  
good luck and let us know what you find out.