Study links video games and heart attacks in children
A recent medical study has found that video games can cause heart attacks in children with undiagnosed heart problems.
It is known that some children are born with an "arrhythmia" that can only be detected by examination.
About two million people in the UK live with this condition, for example, and can lead a relatively normal life.
However, shock can occur at any time and lead to serious consequences, including loss of consciousness or cardiac arrest and possible death.
Previously, these undiagnosed heart problems have been linked to sudden death in people who exercise, but the study now claims that a link has also been found with computer games.
Scientists believe that excitement, adrenaline and emotional preoccupation (with the game) can lead to this condition.
The research was based on data from various studies at the Children's Heart Center in Sydney, Australia.
Dr Claire Lawley, the study's lead investigator, stressed that video games may be a significant risk for some children with arrhythmias, and in some cases lead to death, especially when the medical condition is not diagnosed early.
She explained, "Children who suddenly lose consciousness while playing electronic games should be evaluated by a cardiologist, as this may be the first sign of a serious heart problem."
The analyzes identified 22 cases in which video games caused unconsciousness in children, and multiplayer war games were the most common game played at the time of the accident.
The researchers believe, according to what the newspaper "Telegraph" reports, that the underlying heart condition is caused by the adrenaline rush that gets with children from the high-excitation games they play.
The researchers said that during times of maximum emotional engagement, which is winning or losing, children who are particularly vulnerable are at high risk of heart attacks.
So scientists now want any children with a history of fainting while playing to be screened for possible heart problems because it could be an early warning sign.
Christian Turner, co-author of the study, said: 'We already know that some children with heart conditions can put them at risk when playing competitive sports, but we were shocked to find that some patients had life-threatening fainting episodes during video games.
He added: "Video games were something I previously thought would be an alternative 'safe activity'. This is a really important finding. We need to make sure everyone knows how important it is to be screened when someone has a fainting spell in these circumstances."
Dr. Jonathan Skinner, co-author of the study, said he was "stunned" to find out how widespread the problem was and that it had led to the death of some children.
"All collaborators are keen to spread this phenomenon so that our colleagues around the world can learn about it and protect these children and their families," he added.
The results of the medical study were published in the journal Heart Rhythm.
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