Are children prone to chest pain? Is chest pain normal in kids? These are common questions that most parents ask when it comes to their children. Most people typically think that chest pain is only experienced by adults. However, this is not always the case. Children also experience chest pain from time to time. You might think that your child is having chest pain due to heart disease in children. However, this is not true. In fact, over 95% of children who usually visit the pediatric cardiologist for chest pain hardly have heart disease. As a parent, you should know the causes of chest pain to mitigate this problem.
The chest usually has many structures. These structures are basically the ones that enclose and protect the lungs. They include ribs, sternum, and so on. Chest pain is usually associated with a brief, sharp pain that gets worse when one is breathing. If your child’s ruins or sternum is injured, your child might experience chest pain. The following are the causes of chest pain in kids:
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1. Injury to the ribs and chest muscles
Children are known to like games. Most of them usually play with their fellow friends whenever they are free. If your child falls when he or she is playing, the muscles and bones of the chest wall might get injured. This can result in chest pains. Besides, if our child is fond of lifting heavy objects beyond her ability, his chest might start paining. Other causes that might cause chest pains include frequent coughing, intense aerobic exercises, and so on. This is because these activities usually strain the rib muscles.
2. Lung infection.
Asthma can lead to chest tightness and make it difficult for your child to catch some breath. This can be detrimental. This can, in turn, lead to chest pain. Pulmonary issues might lead to this problem, as well. It is essential that you see a doctor if you note that your child has a lung infection as this might lead to other pressing issues later. Severe and persistent chest pain can be an indication that your child has pneumothorax or air around the lungs. A doctor can help you mitigate these issues more effectively.
3. Acid reflux.
There are instances when you usually feel a burning sensation in your throat after taking some meals. This is known as heartburn or acid reflux. Children also experience this problem at one time or another. This can make your child experience chest pains and thereby become uncomfortable.
4. Heart-related issues.
Hear related issues such as coronary artery disease can make your child experience chest pain. Other conditions that might lead to this problem include myocarditis or pericarditis. As mentioned above, over 95% of chest pains in kids are usually non-cardiac, and most of them are not life-threatening. However, if your child is suffering from any of the above-mentioned heart-related issues, you should seek medical attention so as to avoid future problems. Cardiac issues can be mitigated with good historical evaluations and physical examinations. Simple tests such as an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram can also help solve this problem.
When should you visit a pediatric cardiologist?
Children also develop heart-related issues at one time or another. Although heart symptoms such as chest pains and palpitations are usually harmless, you should not neglect them. You should consider taking your child to a pediatric cardiologist. This professional helps typically in diagnosing and treating heart problems in children. If your child needs a heart surgery, this professional will work hand-in-hand with pediatric heart surgeons. Pediatric cardiologists usually diagnose and treat the following heart problems in children:
- Congenital heart disease.
This condition is usually diagnosed in your child’s early stages of life. In most cases, this condition occurs typically because a part of your heart did not develop well before birth while the baby was in the uterus. Children with this condition normally have holes between the chambers of the heart. Others usually have valve problems and abnormal blood vessels.
- Lung infection.
Asthma can lead to chest tightness and make it difficult for your child to catch some breath. This can be detrimental. This can in turn lead to chest pain. Pulmonary issues might lead to this problem as well. It is important that you see a doctor if you note that your child has a lung infection as this might lead to other serious issues later. Severe and persistent chest pain can be an indication that your child has pneumothorax or air around the lungs. A doctor can help you mitigate these issues more effectively.
- Acid reflux.
There are instances when you normally feel a burning sensation in your throat after taking some meals. This is known as heartburn or acid reflux. Children also experience this problem at one time or another. This can make your child to experience chest pains and thereby become uncomfortable.
- Heart-related issues.
Hear related issues such as coronary artery disease can make your child to experience chest pain. Other conditions that might lead to this problem include myocarditis or pericarditis. As mentioned above, over 95% of chest pains in kids are usually non-cardiac and most of them are not life-threatening. However, if your child is suffering from any of the above-mentioned heart-related issues, you should seek medical attention so as to avoid future problems. Cardiac issues can be mitigated with good historical evaluations and physical examinations. Simple tests such as an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram can also help solve this problem.
If you notice that your child has these symptoms, you should not hesitate to take him or her to a pediatric cardiologist in dubai:
- Blue skin.
This is commonly known as blue skin. This is an indication that your child has a serious congenital heart problem. This condition usually needs immediate evaluation.
- Blocked arteries
If the arteries that take the blood away from the heart are blocked, the heart of your child will beat heavily. Your child might not even manage to feed well. He or she might be pale or grey. You should take him or her to a pediatric cardiologist for evaluation. You should be on the watch out if your child has an abnormal heart murmur. This is an indication that the blood is flowing faster than normal through the heart.
- Severe chest pains.
Some chest pains normally last for a few minutes. However, if the chest pains are chronic, you should seek medical attention. You should not neglect these pains as your child might not be comfortable even when he or she is at school. Dizziness and passing out are other concerns that can make you take your child to this professional.
- You have a family history of heart muscle problems.
Some families normally have a history of heart muscle problems. Some family members usually suffer from arrhythmias, and so on. There are other family members who might be using pacemakers or defibrillators. If your child comes from such a family, you should consider taking your child to a pediatric cardiologist so that your child can be evaluated.
If your child develops any of these symptoms, you should first take him or her to a pediatrician. This expert will recommend whether your child has a heart related issue or not. If your child has a heart-related issue, you will be referred to a pediatric cardiologist. This expert will check any heart related issues that your child might have. Once this is done, he will treat your child and thereby prevent further complications. You should take your child to a well-trained pediatrician so that you can get the value for your money. Consider these ideas, and you will not be frustrated.
