According to a new research, computer gaming might create life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias in vulnerable individuals. Those who have a tendency may have previously gone unreported.
Children who lose consciousness while playing video games are observed a strange yet distinct pattern, according to the researchers.
The findings of the study have been published in the journal of the Heart Rhythm Society, the Cardiac Electrophysiology Society, and the Pediatric & Congenital Electrophysiology Society.
"Video games may pose a serious danger to some children with arrhythmic difficulties; they may be lethal in patients with predisposing, but often previously unrecognized arrhythmic conditions," says lead researcher Claire M. Lawley, who works at The Heart Centre for Children, in Sydney, Australia. "Children who suddenly lose consciousness while electronic gaming should be assessed by a heart specialist as this might be the first sign of a serious heart issue."
The researchers conducted a systematic review of literature and initiated a multisite international outreach effort to identify cases of children with severe heart rhythm symptoms. Across the 22 cases they found, multiplayer war gaming was the most prevalent trigger. Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) and congenital long QT syndrome were the most common causes.
According to Dr. Lawley, many people were diagnosed with a high rate of potentially dangerous genetic mutations (63 percent) among patients, which could have significant implications for their families. In some instances, the investigation of a child who lost consciousness during video gaming led to many family members being diagnosed with an important familial heart rhythm problem.
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"We already know that some children are at danger when playing competitive sports," Christian Turner, MBBS, The Heart Centre for Children, and The Sydney Children''s Hospitals Network, Australia, said. "Video gaming was something I previously thought would be a "safe activity." This is a real breakthrough. We need to ensure everyone knows how important it is to get checked out when someone has had a blacking out episode in these conditions."
While this phenomenon isn''t a common phenomenon, it is becoming more widespread. "I was stunned to discover how widespread this emerging presentation is, and to discover that a number of children had died from it," said a co-investigator of the study, Jonathan Skinner, who is the author of the book, and says the research is ongoing.
According to an accompanying publication, Daniel Sohinki, MD, MSc, Department of Cardiology, Augusta University, Georgia, USA, and others discussed that "exertion should be understood to encompass activities outside of traditional competitive athletics." Appropriate counseling regarding the risks of intense video gameplay should be targeted in children with a pro-arrhythmic cardiac diagnosis, and in any children with a history of exertional syncope of undetermined etiology. Additionally, future screening programs aimed at identifying athletes