Cardiac Conditions

Caring for children with cardiac conditions in a community program

2015-07-14

How the Heart Works Collects oxygen-poor blood from

body and pumps it to the lungs to get oxygen

Pumps blood to the lungs and body by a sequence of organized contractions

Types of cardiac conditions

Congenital heart defects• Slows down or blocks blood flow

in the heart or in the blood vessels near the heart

Arrhythmias• Abnormal heart beats

Genetic cardiac conditionsAcquired cardiac conditions

• Occurs from infection

Treatment

MedicationSurgery

• Heart transplant• Fontan procedure

PacemakerInternal Cardioverter

Defibrillator (ICD)

Activity restrictions

Most children with cardiac conditions can participate in physical activities without restrictions

For some children, competitive or excessively stressful activities may be restricted

Infective Endocarditis

Inflammation caused by an infection in the lining of the heart

Caused by bacteria that gets into blood

Can lead to permanent damage of the heart

May require antibiotics before medical or dental procedure

Inform EMS that child has cardiac condition

Congestive Heart Failure

Sweating during quiet time Persistently rapid/labored breathing Shortness of breath Rapid heart rate or irregular heart rate Chest pain Nasal flaring Blueness on or around the mouth, eyes,

ears, and/or finger tips Listlessness (tired and unwilling to do

normal activities) Inability to stop coughing Skin becomes increasingly pale or blue Suddenly tired

Responding to Congestive Heart Failure1. Have child rest.

2. If condition doesn’t improve, contact parent/guardian.

3. If symptoms do not improve and parent/guardian or emergency contact cannot be reached within 5 to 10 minutes, activate 911/EMS.

4. Place child on the floor in recovery position (lying on left side).

5. Keep the airway open. Loosen any tight restrictive clothing.

6. Stay with child until EMS personnel arrive.

If the child has noisy gurgled breathing, call 911/EMS.

Loss of consciousness

1. Call 911/EMS.

2. Implement CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), if available.

3. Notify the parent/guardian.

4. Inform EMS that the child has a cardiac condition.

Child specific information

Type of cardiac condition Activity restrictions Additional information

Health Care Plans are located in child file and binder

Syncope

Temporary loss of consciousness

Passing out or faintingUsually occurs without warning

and often during exercise

1. Call 911/EMS.

2. Implement CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), if available.

3. Notify the parent/guardian.

4. Inform EMS that the child has a cardiac condition.

Tachycardia

Heart rate too fast to countMay experience fatigue,

dizziness, lightheadedness, chest pain, shortness of breath, upset stomach, weakness

Tachycardia

1. Have the child rest.

2. If symptoms do not improve with rest, contact the parent/guardian. If the symptoms worsen with rest, call 911/EMS immediately.

3. If the parent/guardian or emergency contact cannot be reached, call 911/EMS.

4. Stay with the child until EMS personnel arrive.

5. Inform EMS that the child has a cardiac condition.

Bradycardia

Slow heart rate May experience decreased

level of activity, weakness, paleness, dizziness

1.Contact parent/guardian.2.If child's condition does

not improve in 20 minutes and you are unable to contact parent/guardian or emergency contact, call 911/EMS.

Pacemakers

Battery operated device used to maintain normal heart rhythm

May experience bradycardia and syncope

Some devices may interfere with the function of the defibrillator

Some sports may need to be avoided if they result in a blow to the chest

Internal Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)

If child experiences an internal shock

1. Put child in recovery position (lying on left side).

2. Ensure child’s safety.

3. If child is responsive and received one shock, contact parent/guardian.

4. If parent/guardian or emergency contact cannot be reached, call 911/EMS.

5. If child is not responsive or received more than one shock, call 911/EMS.

Internal Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)

Battery operated device implanted for in chest or abdomen

If ICD is not working and child experiences tachycardia or syncope – call 911/EMS

Some sports may be restricted if they may result in a blow to the chest

Some devices may interfere with the function of the defibrillator

Heart TransplantAnti-rejection drugs 5 minute warm up, 5 minute cool

down for vigorous exerciseNeeds at least 2 litres of water

dailyContact parent if child ill or

exposed to communicable disease

Other precautions• Avoid undercooked food• Avoid grapefruit• Avoid dusty areas, smoke• Avoid animals, gardening

Blood thinners

External bleeds• Mouth bleeds• Nose bleeds• Surface cuts

Internal bleeds• Bruising• Joint & muscle bleeds• Life-threatening bleeds

Surface cutsNose bleedsMouth bleeds

1. Put on gloves.

2. Clean skin.

3. Apply firm continuous pressure until bleeding stops.

4. Apply bandage or dressing.

5. Encourage ice.

6. Call parent/guardian if bleeding does not stop after 20 minutes.

7. If unable to reach parent/guardian or emergency contact, call 911/EMS.

Bruising

Notify parent/guardian if bruise is increasing in size.

Muscle & Joint Bleeds

1. Have child rest. 2. Apply ice to injury. 3. Elevate injured body part.4. Contact parent/guardian.5. If unable to contact

parent/guardian or emergency contact after 15 minutes, call 911/EMS.

Life-threatening Bleeds

If a child has a significant injury to the head, eye, neck, chest or abdomen (with or without signs)

1. Call 911/EMS.2. Notify parent/guardian.