What should be the pulse rate in children of different ages? Normal heart rate in children Normal heart rate in a 9 year old child
Pulse in children should be measured regularly, since it is he who is the main indicator of the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system. Any deviations from the norm may indicate the development of pathologies that require urgent treatment.
It is impossible to say with accuracy what pulse should be in healthy children, since it depends on several factors at once, including the age of the child, the air temperature in the room, as well as on the existing diseases that affect the work of the heart.
Every year the heart rate becomes less frequent.
An example of this can be seen in the table:
In adolescents, the heart rate approaches 75 beats / min. or be in the range of 60 - 80 bpm, which is already the norm for an adult.
How to calculate the pulse correctly?
Arterial wall pressure is measured by two methods: using special hardware or by palpation.
At the same time, in newborns, it should be measured in the neck area on the carotid artery, since it is palpable in this part of the body much more clearly. But for older children and adolescents, it is better to count on the radial artery. It is much more convenient and does not present any difficulties.
Place your index and middle fingers above 1 to 2 cm from the first fold of your wrist. It is in this place that the radial artery is located. You can count the contractions for 15 or 30 seconds, just then multiplying the indicators by 4 or 2. However, if young children or adolescents have arrhythmias, it is necessary to do the counting within 60 seconds.
It should be noted that baby's pulse during sleep, awakening and wakefulness is different. And the most optimal state for calculating it is the period of awakening, that is, this should be done in the morning or in the afternoon immediately after the baby wakes up.
And in order to understand what is the rate of pressure of the artery walls for a particular child, it is necessary to calculate the pulse for several days at the same time. The position of the body is also an important point. At rest and in a horizontal position, the contraction rate is much lower than in a sitting or standing position. Doctors recommend measuring the pulse of both children and adolescents in the supine position.
It should not be measured immediately after eating and in a cold room, since the pressure in the walls of the arteries increases and it is impossible to obtain reliable data.
What does a rapid heart rate indicate?
Heart palpitations in children can indicate diseases and conditions such as:
- infectious diseases;
- emotional stress;
- anemia;
- disorders in the endocrine system;
- respiratory tract diseases;
- disorders of the cardiovascular system.
A high heart rate is often observed during exercise. However, if such conditions also appear at rest, the child should be seen by a doctor.
What does a low heart rate indicate?
The pressure in the arteries can not only increase, but also decrease, which indicates a disease such as bradycardia. This condition is accompanied by frequent dizziness, pale skin, weakness and fatigue. Blood pressure may also drop.
Bradycardia is a serious condition that leads to the development of heart failure.
During physical exertion, measuring the heart rate is also of great importance. He indicates whether this type of load is optimal for the child, or if it is too high for him.
And this is determined by the following formula: 220 is the age of the child. The resulting number is considered an indicator of the normal heart rate during exercise.
If the pressure of the arterial walls is lower than the obtained value, physical activity should be increased, if it exceeds by more than 10 - 20 beats per minute, the load should be slightly lightened.
Strong physical activity affects the work of the heart. Therefore, it is necessary to count the contractions regularly before, during and after training. It is worth noting that the heartbeat after exercise, provided there is no pathology, returns to normal after 3 to 4 minutes. If it takes a lot longer, there is a reason to see a doctor.
Pulse rates in children are much higher than adults due to the characteristics of the developing organism. Focusing on them, one can timely suspect the development of arrhythmia. An increase in heart rate (HR) is characteristic of tachycardia, and a slowdown is characteristic of bradycardia. Both disorders can be physiological or pathological, depending on the causative factor. If they are identified, it is necessary to show the child to the attending physician in order to avoid the development of complications.
Heart rate is not a constant parameter and depends on many factors, therefore, when determining the permissible norm in children, the following nuances should be taken into account:
- physical activity;
- the presence of other pathologies;
- the body's reaction to weather conditions;
- psycho-emotional state.
The highest number of heart rate in newborns. Their heart beats 2 times faster than that of adults. By the age of one year, the indicator begins to decline. Closer to the age of 15, the rate of heart rate stabilizes. An increase in heart rate is observed only after 50 years, when age-related changes take effect.
Premature infants are characterized by a labile pulse. Any load (screaming, feeding, stress) accelerates the heart rate. It is advisable to measure it in the morning, since sleep helps to relax. If the child was brought to the doctor, then the heart rate should be calculated at the very beginning of the examination.
In addition to counting the number of pulse waves per minute, small children measure their respiratory rate (RR). This indicator is important for assessing the development of a child. Newborns breathe about 50-60 times per minute. A five-year-old baby already performs no more than 30 respiratory movements in a similar period of time.
An increase in the number of heart beats per minute in adolescence is associated with an increase in hormonal activity during puberty. Any stress and overload against the background of hormonal activity cause changes in heart rate. The child begins to feel the signs of arrhythmia in combination with the symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia (VVD). As he grows up, his condition returns to normal.
According to the well-known pediatrician E.O. Komarovsky, a slight deviation of heart rate from the norm is characteristic of virtually all children. It should not be considered dangerous, because it is often associated with training, stress, family conflicts and other factors. With age, the baby's body will become stronger and will staunchly resist various stimuli.
Impact of physical activity
During sports, the heart rate rises. For example, after 20 squats or walking, she rises by about 15-20%. Parents should make sure that the heart rate remains within the normal range. To determine it, it is necessary to subtract the age of the young athlete from 220. The resulting value is the maximum value. If the pulse is approaching it, then you should rest.
Against the background of tachycardia, blood pressure may rise slightly, which will manifest itself in the corresponding clinical picture. The return of indicators to normal should occur after 10-15 minutes of rest. If the heart rate remains at the same level or decreases extremely slowly, then it is necessary to revise the training program. 
Initially, it is best to start with a basic exercise and gradually add new exercises to it. It is advisable to contact your pediatrician for advice on how to properly increase the load. You can independently calculate it using the Karvonen method, knowing the pulse before class and before its completion. If the parameters match, then the training program should be corrected. The minimum heart rate is calculated using the formula: ((220 - age) - heart rate before training) * 0.5.
Features of counting heart rate
Experienced parents understand that it is important to know not only what the child's pulse should be, but also the peculiarities of its determination. Measurement is carried out in 3 ways:
The child should lie down during the measurement to avoid distorting the results. Ripple can be assessed by the following criteria:
- frequency of contractions;
- rhythm;
- fullness of the vessel;
- degree of stress.
In the absence of pathologies, the intervals between the pulse waves are the same, the rhythm is stable, the vessel is full, the tension is moderate. The presence of suspicion or non-compliance with any of the criteria becomes the reason for going to the doctor. He will tell you what pulse should be normal for the child, and will conduct an examination, on the basis of which he will refute or confirm the presence of a heartbeat failure.
Features of bradycardia
A slowdown in the pulse below 50 beats per minute indicates the presence of bradycardia. It is characterized by the following signs:
- arterial hypotension (low blood pressure);
- blanching of the skin;
- general weakness;
- dizziness attacks.
Occasional seizures will not hurt a child much, but if they happen often, the likelihood of developing heart failure increases. Timely assistance can change the situation.
Arrhythmia is divided into pathological and physiological forms. The first one arises for the following reasons:
- myocarditis;
- myocardial infarction;
- high intracranial pressure;
- hypotension;
- exposure to medications;
- hypothyroidism;
- heart block.
Physiological bradycardia is a consequence of the influence of the following factors:
- prolonged exposure to the cold;
- impact on reflex zones;
- constant physical activity.
Only pathological bradycardia should be treated. Its physiological form will pass on its own if the irritating factor is eliminated.
Features of tachycardia
With an increase in heart rate even at rest, we are talking about pathological tachycardia, which occurs for the following reasons:
- infectious diseases;
- oncological pathologies;
- disruptions in the hormonal system;
- ischemia of the heart;
- pathology of the nervous system;
- hypertonic disease;
- developmental defects.
If the pulse stabilizes after 5-10 minutes of rest, then the child is worried about the physiological form of tachycardia. It is a consequence of such factors:
- the effect of high temperature;
- pain;
- stress;
- drug exposure;
- physical overload.
The following symptoms accompany a rapid heartbeat:
- lack of air;
- uncontrollable fear;
- pulsation of the cervical vessels;
- dyspnea;
- arterial hypertension;
- dizziness;
- insomnia;
- pain in the region of the heart;
- irritability;
- feeling of palpitations.
Physiological tachycardia is considered normal, since the sinus rhythm remains and the attack goes away on its own. It is enough for parents to protect the child from the annoying factor. Its pathological form is much more dangerous. It is characterized by the rapid development of complications. Treatment will focus on eliminating the cause.
Age Range Tables
The number of heart beats per minute is affected by age-related changes. The pulse rate in a 5-year-old child is already half as much as in a newborn. This phenomenon is associated with the gradual development of the body. Over the years, the heart muscle increases and it no longer needs to contract as often as before. Heart rate stabilizes and changes only under the influence of various factors.
You can see what the normal heart rate should be in children by age in the table:
You can even hear a heartbeat in a fetus developing in the womb with the help of an ultrasound machine. Pregnancy rates are usually as follows:
| Term | Heart rate |
|---|---|
| Up to 1.5 months | 75-90 |
| 1.5-2 months | 100-150 |
| 2-2.5 months | 150-190 |
| From 3 months | 135-155 |
The child's heart rate changes rapidly as he grows. Stabilization occurs closer to 15-16 years. Knowing how many pulse waves should be per minute, you can avoid the development of many diseases and timely identify arrhythmia. If symptoms of tachycardia or bradycardia are found, it is necessary to show the child to a pediatrician or cardiologist so that the specialist conducts an examination and prescribes an examination. The results obtained will help determine the causative factor.
The pulse is a pressure wave caused by the release of blood from the left ventricle into the aorta, from where it travels to other arteries in the body. In medicine, a series (number) of these waves is an indicator of the heart rate and heart rate. Cardiac activity is determined by palpation of large arteries near the surface of the body. The most common sites for measurement are the carotid artery, radial artery, and carpal branch. In case of insufficient blood supply to the upper limb, the brachial and femoral arteries in the lower limbs are used. Does the resting heart rate of a child differ from that of an adult? What are the pulse rates of children of different ages?
Heart rate characteristic
Heart rate in a child and an adult is the number of heartbeats recorded in one minute. There is no unambiguous definition of which pulse is considered normal - the physiological value of cardiac activity is individual and differs for each person.
Important! The heart rate range in an adult is in the range of 60-100 beats per minute.
Heart movement (contractions, heart rate) in children and adults depends on many factors, including:
- age;
- body weight;
- general condition of the heart;
- the use of certain medications;
- environment;
- indoor air;
- the presence or development of hypertension.
Similar to blood pressure, the pulse in children can increase anxiety and psychological discomfort.
On the other hand, a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate in children and adults does not automatically mean the presence of a problem. For example, an adult athlete may have 40-60 beats / min. In this case, the value is normal.
In determining how much pressure a child should have, it is important to understand that the heart is a muscle. Similar to strengthening muscles during exercise, the heart can also be "trained" to keep it healthy. Respiratory movement exercises are suitable for this. The positive effect of breathing on heart rate in children and adults is discussed, in particular, by the specialists of the Pulse medical center in Gulkevichi.
Deviations from the norm of NPV and heart rate in children can help in the diagnosis of health conditions. Heart rate in children can indicate and identify diseases associated with heart disease and other disorders.
Factors affecting heart rate
The pulse in children can increase due to nervousness, stress, dehydration, and excessive physical exertion. Rest, deep breathing usually decreases the baby's heart rate. A decrease in the heartbeat and pressure of a person can occur after physical, sports activities, for example, after running, squats.
It is possible to normalize heart rate in children by cooling the body after exercise. Stretching, walking is also recommended.
1st factor
The first factor affecting the rate of heart rate in children by age is the size of the heart or the volume of the chambers.
The heart and circulation is a variable system with many axes. The "dead" volume of the heart and circulation is much greater than what the system normally operates in. This is well illustrated by the capacity of the circulation. Normally, it is controlled by a muscle in the vascular wall. If the muscle completely relaxes, the volume increases significantly, the pressure (in a child and an adult) decreases to the level of the environment, blood circulation stops and instant death occurs without visible damage to the body. But even a smaller decrease in the tension of the vascular wall leads to a drop in pressure (in children and adults), loss of consciousness.
Thus, the frequency of respiratory movements (RR), heart rate, and blood pressure in children by age is regulated by the autonomic control system, which consists of the autonomic, nervous, hormonal systems, which together regulate pressure, volume of the heart, resistance and volume of blood vessels.
2nd factor
The second factor affecting resting heart rate in children is the installation of autonomous regulatory systems.
One of the control variables is the supply of oxygen to tissues, especially the brain. Oxygen transfer - hematocrit is the carrying capacity of oxygen in the blood. The lower it is, the less oxygen is carried by one volumetric unit of blood.
3rd factor
The third factor affecting the heart rate standards in children at rest is hematocrit and instantaneous oxygen consumption.
But that is not all. The current state of the psyche significantly affects the high heart rate. It takes some time for the entire circulation system to change from quiescent to maximum power, and the predictive engine reduces response times to a minimum. On the other hand, it can completely redefine the circulation completely unnecessarily. For example, if things are scrolling in my head that in reality will not happen, or at least are not expected in the near future. This factor affects both the heart rate of a 10-year-old child and the rate of heart rate in a 30-year-old person.
4th factor
The fourth factor affecting the heart rate in a child and an adult is the current state of the psyche.
This mechanism works as follows. Information about the parameters of blood circulation, oxygen levels in the blood, and mental state is communicated to the management brain areas. It is processed, and in accordance with it, the pulse rate for children (and adults) at the moment of rest and the corresponding circulation status are established.
This factor affects the normal heart rate in children of any age - from three years to.
Causes of age-related changes in heart rate
The norms of pressure and pulse by age are associated with a change in vascular resistance, an increase in blood flow in the left ventricle (an increase in the load on the left ventricle with a simultaneous decrease in the right one). In a newborn baby, the weight ratio of the right to left ventricles is approximately 1: 1. In a month-old baby, left-sided load predominates, in a 6-month-old baby, the ratio reaches 1: 2, at 1 year old it is 1: 2.5.
The thickness of the wall of the right ventricle also changes:
- in a newborn baby - 4.5–5 mm;
- in children about 14 years old (13 years old - 15 years old) - 6-7 mm.
The wall thickness of the left ventricle increases, respectively, from 4.5 to 12 mm.
The formation of the cardiovascular system, an increase in the volume of the heart chambers occurs irregularly (with different intensities). The fastest heart rate in children is recorded in the first 2 years, then in a child about 11 years old (up to twelve to fifteen years).
Norm for a child
The pulse in children (also heart rate) reflects how many beats a child's heart makes in 1 minute. The healthy range - what is the normal blood pressure and heart rate for children - varies with age.
The number of pulsating heartbeats in babies decreases during sleep. The child's heart rate during sleep decreases by about 20%.
Newborn
The average pulse in a newborn (1 month) is 140 beats / min. The pulse rate in newborns can vary from 120 to 180.
Babies
The pulse rate in children 1–12 months old (infants) is 132 beats / min.
Early age
What pulse should a young child have? The indicator depends on the specific age, namely:
- 1-2 years - 120;
- 2-4 years - 110.
Preschoolers
The heart rate in a 5-year-old child is in the range of about 80–100 beats / min. Indicators vary depending on the circumstances - they increase with physical exertion, stress, fever.
Younger schoolchildren
Distribution of indicators, what should be the pulse of a schoolchild by age:
- from 6 years old - 100;
- from 7 years old - 90;
- a child from 9 to 12 years old - 80.
Teenagers
The pulse rate of a child from 10 years old to the apogee of adolescence (15 years old) is 75 beats / min.
Pivot table
Heart rate and blood pressure table by age:
| Age | Heart rate | Systolic blood pressure | Diastolic blood pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premature babies (1000 g) | 130–150 | 45 | 25 |
| Newborn | 120–180 | 60–75 | 27 |
| 6 months | 80–150 | 95 | 45 |
| 2 years | 85–125 | 95 | 50 |
| 4 years | 75–115 | 98 | 57 |
| Child 8 years old | 60–110 | 112 | 60 |
What to do if the heart rate does not correspond to the norm?
An accelerated heart rate in the pediatric population occurs during exercise. Temperature and emotions also affect frequency. As a result, the heart rate can increase by 3.5 times, this is not considered a disease. An increase in frequency can be caused by fatigue, lack of energy, rarely - by pathological processes in the heart muscle.
Enhancement
Tachycardia is a steady increase in heart rate. Most often found in febrile diseases, infections, various heart diseases.
Downgrade
Bradycardia is a slowing down of the heart rate. The causes of bradycardia can be: newborn asphyxia, heart damage, decreased thyroid function.
As you can see, the factors causing heart rate abnormalities can be serious. Therefore, if you notice its acceleration or deceleration in the absence of a clear cause, consult your doctor.
It can be different, it all depends on how old the child is. In a newborn, the heart rate is much higher than in adults. As they grow older, the indicator decreases. The heart rate is influenced by the state of health, fitness of the body, environmental conditions and many other factors.
Deviations from the norm may indicate pathological processes, therefore, parents must know what the baby's pulse should be in order to take timely measures in case of its increase or decrease.
Why you need to monitor your pulse
Pulse is the vibration of the walls of blood vessels during contractions of the heart. According to this indicator, first of all, the state of a vital organ is assessed (by frequency, fullness, rhythm and other features).
By counting the number of contractions and noticing the deviation, you can detect the pathological process at the initial stages of development. In good health, the pulse should be full, rhythmic, and moderately tense.
This is done using Rufier's test. To do this, the baby should squat, rest, and the measurements are repeated.
How to measure your heart rate correctly
Pulse measurements must be carried out with the baby in complete peace. It is advisable to carry out the procedure in the morning, until the baby gets out of bed. However, he should not change his body position. If measurements need to be taken frequently, then this is done every time at the same time. With strict adherence to these recommendations, you can count on an accurate result. During the measurement, it is worth considering not only the frequency, but also the rhythm of the contractions. Uneven pulsation indicates the development of arrhythmia and requires treatment.
The pulse rate for ages in children allows for certain deviations. It is not considered a problem if the stats go up or down by 20 hits.
A baby's heart rate is a clear indicator of his physical health. The standards determine the permissible heart rate in children by age. If, in a calm state, this indicator deviates in one direction or another, it is necessary to immediately show the child to a doctor in order to avoid the development of serious diseases.
At rest, the heart rate (HR) of a young child is much higher than that of adolescents or adults. This is due to the congenital weakness of the heart muscle, and in order to pump the required volume of blood, it has to contract much more often. As the baby grows up, the heart rate indicators will gradually approach those that exist in adults. Below is a table where it is indicated what the pulse should be, its norms by age in children:
| Child's age | Beats per minute |
| 7-10 days | 145 |
| 12 months | 135 |
| 1-2 years | 125 |
| 3-5 years | 120 |
| 5-6 years old | 105 |
| 6-9 years old | 100 |
| 9-10 years old | 90 |
| 10-12 years old | 85 |
| Over 12 years old | 70-75 |
Doctors evaluate a child's pulse not only by heart rate. In addition, when measuring, its rhythm is noted. If the length of the intervals between heart beats is the same, then the pulse is considered rhythmic, if not - arrhythmic. Pulse fullness is also an important indicator. It depends on the amount of blood in the vessel at the peak of the contraction of the heart. Pulse tension is additionally assessed.
All of these indicators make it possible to assess the quality of the cardiovascular system and identify serious diseases in the early stages. In an absolutely healthy baby, the heartbeat should be rhythmic, full, moderately intense and correspond to the age norms of the pulse rate in children.
Permissible deviations of heart rate indicators in babies
Various factors can affect your heart rate. A 10% deviation from the norm in any direction is considered acceptable. From the physiological factors affecting the pulse, one can single out:
- gender (girls have a heart rate of 3-5 beats per minute more often than boys);
- hormonal background - the heart rate increases during puberty by about 10-12 beats;
- physical activity.
In addition, fear, excitement, crying can affect the heart rate in preschoolers. However, you should be aware that after exposure to such factors, the heart rate should return to normal in 5-7 minutes.
Children in their teens (over 12 years of age) who regularly play sports, such as swimming, jogging, soccer, or simply exercising in the morning, may have a slightly lower heart rate. This condition is not considered a deviation, because if the child is physically active, he has a trained heart. It pumps more blood in one contraction, which is why it beats a little less often. 
How to measure the pulse of a child correctly
The most accurate information about the heart rate can be obtained in the morning, when the baby is still at rest. Physical activity, emotional excitement, food intake affect heart rate readings and the measured data can be easily misinterpreted. At night, during sleep, when the body's need for oxygen decreases, the heart rate may decrease.
During the measurement, the child must lie or sit. In a standing position, the pulse becomes slightly faster. If the baby was actively moving, doing squats, laughing or crying, then the heart rate should be measured no earlier than after 5-10 minutes - this time is enough for the heartbeat to recover and the indicators are reliable.
It is advisable to measure the pulse alternately on both hands in the area of the wrist joint. With three fingers, index, middle and ring, grope for the beat and time. It is necessary to measure the number of beats per minute. If the time is limited, then measurements should be taken in 30 seconds, and then the resulting figure should be multiplied by 2. You can feel the baby's pulse at other points:
Important: Heart rate should not be measured immediately after a meal, especially in infants. The indicators in this case may be incorrect.
Causes of rapid heartbeat
A high heart rate is called tachycardia. If a child has an excess of age-related heart rate by 25-30 units from the norm, then the cause may be serious health problems. Under the influence of physiological factors, these figures are normalized, and with the development of pathology, the state persists for a long time. If you cannot correct the heart rate at home and the situation repeats regularly, you should consult a doctor.
With an increased heart rate, there is a high risk of developing serious diseases. High heart rate in children can result from:
You should immediately consult a doctor if, in addition to a rapid heartbeat, other symptoms are present: pallor of the skin, fainting, chest pain, breathing problems, blue lips.
To avoid the development of complications with a rapid heart rate, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive examination of the child. First of all, you will need to do electrocardiography, in which not only heart rate indicators are recorded, but also the correctness of cardiac activity. An ultrasound scan of the heart may be needed. To exclude diseases of the endocrine system, it is necessary to pass urine and blood tests.
Tachycardia of newborns
A normal pulse is an indicator of a child's health. In babies born less than a month ago, the heart rate is almost double that of adults. A deviation from the norm in a child's heart rate is considered to be an increase in excess of 170 beats per minute. An increase in heart rate in this case is directly related to an increase in the automatism of the sinus node. The reasons for this condition may be:
However, there are also physiological reasons for this condition. An increase in heart rate can occur due to too tight swaddling, overheating, anxiety of the crumbs. However, it should be remembered that a heart rate above 170 beats per minute, which persists for more than 2 days, can provoke metabolic processes in the baby's myocardium, which, as a result, will endanger the life of the baby. Such attacks are rather quickly stopped in a hospital with the help of medications.
Low heart rate reasons
A low heart rate is called bradycardia. Physiological reasons include the training of the heart muscle, hypothermia, the time immediately after waking up. But the cause of bradycardia can also be serious pathologies of the cardiovascular system:
- atherosclerosis;
- myocardial infarction and subsequent cicatricial changes;
- low blood pressure;
- myocarditis;
- endocarditis.
Also, a low pulse often provoke non-cardiac pathologies. The following diseases can reduce heart rate:
- hypothyroidism;
- metabolic disorders;
- exceeding the dose of cardiac glycosides;
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- depletion of the body;
- lead poisoning.
A low pulse of any etiology poses a great danger to the health of the baby. At less than 40 beats per minute, the brain begins to suffer from a lack of oxygen. This condition is manifested by weakness, dizziness, and fainting. When the pulse drops to lower levels, the child may experience cardiac arrest.
That is why regular attacks of bradycardia require mandatory medical intervention. The child needs to undergo a thorough examination, including an ECG, ultrasound of the heart, and blood tests to identify non-cardiac pathologies.