Chest pain includes pain, discomfort, tightness, or pressure felt in the
chest area.
What causes chest pain?
Many people believe chest pain is always a sign of a heart attack. But,
chest pain can be caused by other conditions that don't include problems with
the heart. This is especially true for children.
Most causes aren't serious but may need to be treated by a doctor.
Chest pain can be caused by illness, infection, a heart problem, stress,
activity, or other conditions. Heart problems are uncommon.
See "What other symptoms should I look for?" below.
Who can get chest pain?
Both children and adults can get chest pain.
What other symptoms should I look for? What could they be
a sign of? Many children will have other symptoms with their chest pain. Where the
pain is, how it feels, when it hurts and for how long, and what other symptoms
your child has are important clues to what might be causing the pain. If your
child has any of the following symptoms, call your doctor:
Irregular heartbeat, pounding, dizziness, and fainting
a heart problem
How is chest pain treated?
Sometimes chest pain can be treated with an anti-inflammatory medicine,
such as ibuprofen.
Never give your child aspirin to treat pain without talking to your doctor
first.
If your child has chest pain, he should be taken to the doctor.
The doctor will try to find out what is causing the pain. X-rays, blood
tests, or other tests may be needed. Treatment will depend on the cause of
the pain.
Sometimes, antibiotics are needed.
When should I call the doctor?
Call if your child has any of the symptoms listed above under "What other
symptoms should I look for?"
Call the doctor if your child is having chest pain.
Call if your child is having difficulty breathing.
Call if your child feels as if his heart is racing or skipping a beat.
Call if your child passes out.
Call if you have questions or concerns about your child's condition.
Quick Answers
Chest pain includes pain, discomfort, tightness, or pressure felt in the
chest area.
Chest pain can be caused by illness, infection, a heart disorder, stress,
activity, or other conditions. Heart problems are uncommon.
Both children and adults can get chest pain.
Where the pain is, how it feels, when it hurts and for how long, and what
other symptoms your child has are important clues to what might be causing
the pain.
If your child has chest pain, he should be taken to the doctor.
Call the doctor if your child has difficulty breathing, his heart is racing,
or if he has other symptoms that concern you.
References
Familydoctor.org. Self-Care: Chest Pain in Infants and Children. 1996 (cited
2001 November 28). URL: http://familydoctor.org/flowcharts/525.html
KeepKidsHealthy.com. Chest Pain. 2001 (cited 2001 November 28). URL: http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/cgi-bin/MasterPFP.cgi
Rosenblat B MD. Chest Pain. MedlinePlus. 2000 September 1 (cited 2001 November
28). URL: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003079.htm
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