Heart rate 260 on a child - what does it mean?
A heart rate of 260 bpm is above the normal resting range for every age group. In a calm child it needs prompt medical assessment; crying, fever and activity can push the pulse this high only briefly.
Normal resting heart rate by age
| Age | Normal at rest | 260 bpm is |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn (0–1 month) | 70–190 bpm | above normal |
| Infant (1–11 months) | 80–160 bpm | above normal |
| Toddler (1–2 years) | 80–130 bpm | above normal |
| Preschool (3–4 years) | 80–120 bpm | above normal |
| Child (5–6 years) | 75–115 bpm | above normal |
| Child (7–9 years) | 70–110 bpm | above normal |
| 10 years and older | 60–100 bpm | above normal |
Ranges for an awake, calm child (NIH MedlinePlus). Asleep, a child's pulse can be 10–20 bpm lower; crying, play and fever push it higher — roughly 10 bpm more per 1 °C (2 °F) of fever.
When a child's heart rate needs a doctor
- Call 911 (US) or your local emergency number if a baby or young child has a heart rate below 60 and seems unwell — pale, floppy, hard to wake or breathing poorly.
- Get urgent care for a resting heart rate above 220 in a baby or above 180 in an older child, especially if it starts and stops suddenly — this pattern suggests SVT rather than a normal fast pulse.
- See your pediatrician if the resting pulse is repeatedly outside the range for the child's age, feels irregular, or comes with fainting, chest pain, poor feeding, sweating while feeding, or unusual tiredness.
More detail: Fast, Slow or Irregular Heart Rate in a Child · How to Measure a Baby's Heart Rate · Why Infants Have a Faster Heart Rate Than Adults
Check another reading
Nearby values
Measured on a teenager or adult? See heart rate 260 in an adult.
This page explains a single reading in general terms. It is not a diagnosis. Heart rate alone cannot tell whether the rhythm is regular or whether the heart is healthy — if you are worried, talk to a doctor.