Pacemaker on a 13-year-old boy

Anantapur, 10th April 2023: Many young people and middle-aged people are getting heart attacks these days, and die due to cardiac arrests. However, most of them are above the age of 20. Gautam, a 13-year-old boy studying in class 8 in Kanekal mandal of Anantapuram district, fell unconscious while he was in his classroom. He was immediately taken to the RDT hospital where the ECG and other preliminary examinations were conducted. Usually, the heart rate should be at least 60-70 times per minute, but this boy has only 30 times. The blood pressure has also come down drastically. The doctors immediately sent him to KIMS Saveera Hospital in Anantapuram. Senior interventional cardiologist Dr. Moode Sandeep, who treated Gautam at the hospital, gave details in this regard.

"As soon as Gautam was brought to us, we first noticed his condition and installed a temporary pacemaker in the ICU and conducted more tests. It turned out that he was born with a lack of a proper conduction system in his heart and also had a small hole. The conduction system causes our heart to beat at a certain speed. In the absence of it, there are problems such as not being fast enough, or having a very high speed. Whenever the heart beats, electrical signals pass through our heart. Because of that system only, the heart contracts and expands. Due to the lack of a proper conduction system, this boy's heartbeats are only 30 times per minute. Taking note of this, we immediately installed a pacemaker for the boy. This was done completely free under the Aarogyasree scheme. If the heart beats less than 60 times per minute, it immediately detects and sends electric signals. This increases the heart rate. In such cases, these should be there all through life. Still, there will be no problem with his ordinary life. He can eat whatever he wants, and play as he wishes. However, the battery will run out after about 15 years. Then it has to be changed. Medical examinations should be done from time to time.

Gautam's heart was beating normally and the injury had completely healed he was discharged and sent home. This is the first time in the state that a pacemaker has to be installed at such a young age. Knowing this, the state health ministry has sought details of the child. In the recent past, there have been health issues at a young age. So, parents and teachers should be constantly watching the children, and respond to any minor problem immediately," explained Dr. Moode Sandeep.