Chest Pain

Chest pain doesn’t always signal a heart problem, but it should always be taken seriously. Devyani Chowdhury, MD, MHA, and the skilled team at Cardiology Care for Children in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, quickly identify the reason for your child’s chest pain using in-office diagnostic testing and provide personalized care based on their unique needs. As specialists in children’s heart problems and adults with congenital cardiology conditions, the team schedules prompt appointments. If you or your child need help with chest pain, call the office or book online today.

What causes chest pain?

When children and teens experience chest pain, it’s often caused by a problem in the chest wall, which includes the ribs, sternum, muscles, and tissues that enclose and protect their lungs. For example, they may have inflamed tissues, an infection, or an injury.

However, chest pain is also the most common symptom of pediatric heart conditions, such as:

• Pericarditis (inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart)
• Myocarditis (viral infection of the heart)
• Arrhythmias (heart rhythm problems)
• Coronary artery disease (blocked coronary arteries)
• Aortic dissection (tear in the aorta)
• Cardiomyopathies (enlarged, thickened, or stiff heart muscle)

Adults with congenital heart disease (or any heart condition) may also experience chest pain.

When should I seek help for chest pain?

You should schedule an appointment for chest pain that persists or gets worse. Your child needs immediate attention if they experience chest pain with:

• Fever
• Sweating
• Difficulty breathing
• Fast heart rate
• Paleness
• Sudden severe pain
• Ripping sensation in the chest

If you have a family history of heart conditions, especially problems like aortic dissection, don’t wait to seek care.

How is chest pain diagnosed?

Your provider at Cardiology Care for Children begins by learning about the symptoms experienced by you or your child. They also explore your medical history and complete a thorough physical exam.

As cardiac specialists, the Cardiology Care for Children team provides comprehensive care for children with any heart condition and adults with congenital conditions, including in-office diagnostic testing. 

Diagnosing chest pain begins with an electrocardiogram (ECG) and/or echocardiogram. An ECG reveals the heart’s electrical activity, while an echocardiogram uses ultrasound to create images of the heart. Your provider may also do a stress test or ask you or your child to wear a Holter monitor if needed to diagnose heart rhythm problems.

How is chest pain treated?

The treatment for chest pain depends on the diagnosis. Children and teens generally receive treatments similar to adults, including:

• Dietary changes
• Exercise program
• Medications
• Pacemaker
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
• Interventional procedures

Interventional procedures refer to minimally invasive techniques using a thin, flexible tube (catheter). Your provider guides the catheter through blood vessels and into the heart, and then they use specialized instruments to diagnose problems and repair the underlying problem. 

If your child needs prompt care for chest pain, call Cardiology Care for Children or request an appointment online today.