Chest pain in child

[heartwise24]

Can you tell me the causes of chest pain in a child?  There is a familial history of HCM, but childs echo is essentially normal.  My child has occassional bouts of chest pain some lasting seconds other lasting several minutes no more than 5.  Pain normally occurs in the center of the chest, or along the left side about 3 inches from breast area to by underarm on the left side.  Pain occurs while doing nothing, (standing) playing a video game, laying up on left arm in bed.  Could it be muscles?  I worry since I have HCM.  Also when taking childs pulse there is a definate sinus arrhythmia that coincides with breaths.  I assume this is normal.  Child is tending to panic now with the chest pain.  I don't make a big deal about it.  Just have her describe the pain, etc.  Any information about Children and chest pain would help.  Also what is the common age for HCM to be found or ruled out.  I was not diagnosed until 20's is this common?

Thank you!

[nikl]

Hi, I don't know what HCM is but my son was diagnosed with reflux because of chest pain. One day he came in crying that his chest hurt so bad and he had been out in his go-cart and went over large jump. I rushed him to doctor they did all testing and set us up with top pediatric dr because EKG showed something. He has always had sinus arrythmia. After seeing cardio he said that chest pains are the most common complaint in children. The pain was caused by his reflux and continual constipation being pushed up by landing sooo hard on the jump with go-cart and what they found on EKG was normal(reg dr thought something showed on EKG) along with sinus arrythmia being absolutely normal he said. It does scare me when I take his pulse and can feel it skip but he never complains of it and I don't mention it because I don't want him to notice it and become frieghtened. Sorry so long

[medking]

Thanks for the kind words of encouragement. I started having these PVC's when I was 27, one episode on a plane. Then came back at 32 when we had our first child and they never really left. I am 38 now, male, non smoker, fairly healthy - a little cholesteral but everything else is normal. My dad has LVH- largely due to High BP and he is now 63 still kicking with PVC's as well. His father died at 93 and his father passed on at 106 both natural causes but they also lived a less stressful life. In any case, I always worry that these PVC's will degrade into a more lethal rythum. When I get a PVC I too get sinus tach with this. Mine lasts for hours at 120 or so until it goes below 82 or so BPM.  I suffer from some anxiety and I am sure this also aggrevates the situation. I take 50mg of Zoloft which is working but I wonder whether this causes the PVC's at time. I also noticed that after a large meal, I get a fast heart rate and then bam PVC's are back.  Its tough to deal with, I have a high profile position in Banking and I just cant stand these damn PVC's. They are capable of ruining my day when they come. In terms of the article what was the jist of the message, I am not as intune with the details of it? Pls explain. Many thanks/Abe

[medking]

Hankstar- since I couldn't post a question, I thought I would comment. Pls comment on my questions please. Given that I follow the posts very often, I have a question on PVC's knowing that you suffer from them too. I have been going great for months now little to no PVC activity. My question: Out of the blue I get a run of 2-3 in a row then an hour later a get a few isolated one's then they dissappear for a few days again. My question: can this really be acceptable w/ a normal heart structure? All tests normal just recently my cholesteral readings were in the high normal range but nothing to worry about. Stress, echos done yearly all ok but get this run situation every now and then. It really bothers me and scares me. My cousin is a top cardiac surgeon in Toronto, canada and he continues to laugh at me but I don't think its a laughing matter. Further, my cardio also gets them and he says dont worry either - they are a nuisance but dont freak out when it happens. What do you have to say about this? Doctors anyone ?? Also, I was told to pop a half tablet of 25mg of atenenol should the episodes occur frequently, I hat taking any meds. Thanks/medking

[Indigo24]

Wow I am so glad you have gotten the chance to post this question. I have been trying for awhile now.

My daughter complains about chest pain also. She had open heart surgery when she was 4 months old...she is 9 years old now. She had an ASD,VSD and PS repaired. She has mild pulomary reguitation. When she has these spells she is noticeably uncomfortable. She gets a very pale look to her as well. Tired out and usually lays down for several hours. Her cardiologist's don't think it is anything to be concerned about. They gave me a portable monitor to use just incase she had an episode that they could catch. Nope never happened. She has not an echo for 5 years. Should I insist that they at least do an echo. Her ekg's seem fine. They also haven't done a chest xray. I was wondering if it could be scar tissue from her 1st surgery...they said no.

Any thoughts out there...

Thanks again

Indigo24

[Cleveland Clinic]

heartwiase,

There are alot of different causes in children, most related to musculoskeletal issues. The most importnat thing to discern more clearly would be a close history and physical examination by your pediatrician.

If you HCM, your children should be screened every few years with echocardiography until adulthood. Often infants and young children do not develop the findings until the growth spurt. There is incomplete penetrance of the genes, so there is no gurantee your children will have it.

An important thing for you to remember is to try not to place too much of your condition on your child, which can sometimes be hard. Your child should not be worring too much if any chest pain he/she is having is the development of HCM.

good luck