My thirteen year old has severe chest pain

[helen_58]

When my daughter was 11 she started experiencng palpatations and chest pain. No dizziness, SOB etc. The initial ECG they picked up a slight abnormality but further investigation by a pediatrition found nothing. They eventually discharged her as it righted itself. She is now thirteen and in the last 7 months this has returned but much more severe. Palpatations and severe chest pain, dizziness, SOB, headache and last night vomitting. She sometimes just gets the pain without palpatations. She is awaiting a appointment with a pediatric cardiologist, I took her to hospital last night. (usually we just ride it through as they never find anything) and they were very thorough. She had the chest pain for about 1/2 hour before I took her and it had subsided a little by the time we got there. ECG showed nothing, nor the blood tests, nor a chest x ray. (she has never had a ultrasound). The Dr said it may be panic attacks, but she is a very laid back kid, nothing fazes her, is not ever obviously anxious. She can wake in the night with these pains, or just taking a shower. I read up on panic attacks and she just does not fit the description. Every attack seems to be worse that the last. I have been advised to notify her school to call an ambulance when she has them as the have the ECG machine onboard and get her hooked up asap. Normally I just pick her up and bring her home and she is fine in a couple of hours.She discribes the pain as like a really bad cramp. The funny thing is her pulse is not racing. It is normal. Last night sitting around 50. Any input would be very much appreciated

[grendslori]

What was the 'slight abnormality' that the pediatrician investigated? Did she see a pediatric cardiologist? Teens often times complain about chest pains, it's quite common, actually. True chest pains in someone her age would be extrememly rare, most likely due to a structural problem with the heart such as a cardiomyopathy; you'd know if that was the problem. Believe me, you don't want that diagnoses! The other main culprit would be CAD or coronary heart disease.It takes roughly 20 years for the arteries to build up enough plague to cause a problem like that. Some people do develop that problem earlier in life, but that too, is rare. Usually there is a genetic factor that causes that. Keep in mind that most children/teens consider chest pains when they are actually feeling the pressure of premature beats....they consider that to be chest pain. I do recognize the fact that you described her chest pain as being like a bad cramp. This could alos be a muscle problem or maybe her blood chemistries may be off. Have her checked out to make sure there isn't something really going on.  

[Jerry_NJ]

Happy to read she has an appointment with a cardiologist.

Something to think about is "stimulus".... is there any collation between the attacks and something else:  diet, lack of water (dehydration), emotional environment, ... fill in some ideas and think about them.  This may not help immediately, but having done so may help when she is examined by the cardiologis.

A HR of 50 sounds too low to me, not dangerous, but unusually low.  I'd expect a teenager to be well over 60 bpm when at rest.