Children losing consciousness while playing electronic video games– researchers believe this to be a sign of serious health problems, involving even the heart. A Heart Rhythm study reports that electronic gaming precipitates life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias in susceptible children whose predisposition may be previously unrecognized (often the case with children). In the 22 cases reviewed, war games were found to be particularly potent arrhythmic triggers. Among the cases, 19 children were identified to have suspected or proven arrhythmia, four had sudden deaths and six suffered cardiac arrests.
Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) and congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) types 1 and 2 were found to be the most common causes of these outcomes. Syncope in children during electronic gaming cannot be taken lightly. You, as HCPs, should encourage caretakers to…
