According to a study published in the journal Heart Rhythms, playing video games can lead to life-threatening irregularities in heartbeat among susceptible children with previously unrecognized arrhythmic predispositions. The study author suggested that children who suddenly lose consciousness while playing electronic games should be assessed by a heart specialist as that could be a sign of a serious heart problem.

As a part of the study, the researchers reviewed the research literature to identify cases of children with the sudden loss of consciousness while playing video games. Based on the analysis, they found 22 cases of children losing consciousness while playing electronic games. They also found that multiplayer war gaming was the most frequent trigger.

The research concluded that catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) and congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) types 1 and 2, both conditions characterized by an abnormal heart rhythm, were the most common underlying causes. The researchers attributed adrenergic stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system caused by the excited state of the patients due to winning or losing a game or engaging in conflict with companions to leading to a life-threatening situation.

Furthermore, the researchers discovered a potentially relevant genetic variant in 63% of the cases, which had a significant impact on their families because family members of such patients were diagnosed with an important familial heart rhythm problem.