Video games may trigger lethal heart problems in some children: Study

Melbourne: Playing video games may lead to life-threatening irregular heartbeat in susceptible children whose predisposition may have been previously unrecognised, according to a study.

The research, published recently in the journal Heart Rhythm, documents an uncommon, but distinct pattern among children who lose consciousness while playing video games.

“Video games may represent a serious risk to some children with arrhythmic conditions; they might be lethal in patients with predisposing, but often previously unrecognised arrhythmic conditions,” said study lead investigator Claire M. Lawley from The Heart Centre for Children, Australia.