Chest Pain in Children and Adolescents

The AHA! Team — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 06:11:28 +0000

Jennifer S. Li, MD via Duke Health – Chest pain is a common complaint in children and adolescents. Chest pain is often perceived as “heart pain” both to children and their parents, and it can cause a lot of distress. However, chest pain in children is very rarely due to a heart problem and most often arises from a less worrisome source. Jennifer S. Li, MD, a Duke pediatric cardiologist, discusses common causes of chest pain in children What causes chest pain? Chest pain in children and adolescents is common but is generally benign. However, chest pain with exercise or that is associated with fast heart beat, dizziness, or fainting can indicate a heart problem. Many structures located in the chest can cause or contribute to chest pain. Among these are the muscles, tendons, cartilage, or bones of the chest, lungs, heart, gastrointestinal system, and nerves. A problem in any one of these areas can cause chest pain. How often is chest pain due to a heart problem? In older adults, chest pain is frequently due to a heart problem. This is because heart disease mostly strikes older people. In kids, chest pain is very rarely due to a heart problem. A prospective study in 50 children referred to a cardiology clinic showed that 76% had pain from the muscles, bones, or cartilage; 12% had exercise-induced asthma; 8% had pain from gastrointestinal causes; and 4% had pain due to psychogenic causes. Another study of 3700 children without previously known heart problems found a low incidence of heart problems (1%). What about the kid who dies on the playing field? While a lot of media attention is given to cases of sudden cardiac death in kids playing sports, these are extremely rare events among the millions of children and adolescents who participate in athletics. Many instances are related to previously undiagnosed underlying heart conditions. Because of this, it’s important and necessary to have your child complete a sports physical before participating in competitive athletics. Sometimes underlying conditions related to sudden cardiac death have genetic factors, so a careful family history is also an important part of the pre-sports evaluation. What are some common causes of chest pain? Some common causes include: Musculoskeletal: This is usually related to muscle strain or heavy lifting. Costrochondritis: Inflammation of the cartilage around the junction of the ribs to the breastbone. Precordial Catch Syndrome: Sharp stabbing chest pain below the breast that lasts a few seconds and is worsened by taking a deep breath. It may be due to a pinched nerve. Asthma: This is frequently a cause of exercise-induced chest pain. Gastroesophageal Reflux: Usually burning pain worsened while lying down after eating. Anxiety: Typically related to stress or excessive worry. What are some heart-related causes of chest pain? Several cardiac problems have the potential to cause chest pain. Some of these include: Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (blockage of the outflow of the heart to the body): a heart murmur is present. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: usually an inherited condition causing a thickened heart muscle. Anomalous coronary arteries: coronary artery arising off of the wrong sinus, causing chest pain with exercise. Rhythm disturbances: chest pain is typically associated with the feeling of the heart beating too fast. Pericarditis: inflammation of the lining of the heart often preceded by a viral illness. What are some worrisome symptoms of a heart-related cause of chest pain? Chest pain with exercise, associated with irregular or fast heart beat, or associated with dizziness or syncope (fainting) are symptoms that can indicate a serious heart problem. Chest pain in someone with a first-degree relative who has a history of sudden death or cardiomyopathy should be evaluated. Chest pain that occurs at rest without other associated symptoms is not typically due to a heart problem. What is the usual evaluation that is performed? A careful history and physical examination are necessary and can usually identify the cause for the chest pain. Sometimes laboratory studies may be needed such as an electrocardiogram, an echocardiogram, or an exercise stress test. To read the original article click here.

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Research Underway on Young Adults Experiencing Myocarditis After COVID Vaccine

AHA Publisher — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 08:00:17 +0000

Steve Warren via CBN News – Researchers are looking into cases of serious side effects occurring in some young adults after they received a COVID-19 vaccination, including the possibility of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. In the U.S. since late 2020, there have been around 1,000 known reports of vaccine-related myocarditis or pericarditis in children under age 18, primarily young males, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But the CDC does not have data on the number of cases of young adults in their 20s, which has become an age group of particular concern. NBC News was the first mainstream media outlet to admit last month to the possible link between the COVID vaccines and myocarditis in young adults. The first research trials are finally underway in the U.S. to monitor these side effects. Both drugmakers who developed the COVID-19 vaccines, Moderna and Pfizer are involved. Moderna has already started two studies. Pfizer is preparing to launch another in the next couple of months that will include up to 500 teens and young adults under age 21, according to NBC News. The Food and Drug Administration has now made the studies compulsory for the companies to weigh the possible long-term effects of myocarditis. Early research conclusions could be published next year, the outlet reported. An FDA official told NBC News the chance of having myocarditis occur following vaccination is “very low.” Other Instances of Vaccine Complications Newly released data obtained from the CDC also shows the first people to receive the COVID-19 vaccines, like healthcare workers, did report a high rate of serious complications after receiving the shot. Just the News reports among the 10 million-plus users of the agency’s v-safe active monitoring smartphone app through July — 8.5 million of whom signed up between December 2020 and April 2021, before all adults were eligible for COVID vaccines — nearly 8% said they required medical care after receiving the vaccines. The data was acquired by the Informed Consent Action Network. It received the information after filing a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the CDC. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, more than 7,500 claims have been filed alleging serious injury from the COVID-19 vaccines as of Nov. 1. There may also be a problem with vaccine booster shots as well. Last January, an original study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported about the risk of myocarditis after mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination. “Based on passive surveillance reporting in the US, the risk of myocarditis after receiving mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines was increased across multiple age and sex strata and was highest after the second vaccination dose in adolescent males and young men,” the study said. As CBN News reported in October, Florida’s Surgeon General, Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo issued new guidance regarding mRNA shots, warning they are associated with an 84% increase in cardiac-related adverse events among males 18-39 years old. While the Florida study wasn’t published in a peer-reviewed journal, Ladapo contends the study, along with other peer-reviewed research that points to similar results, indicates young males in this age range could be at risk from those types of vaccines. Symptoms of myocarditis include: Chest pain Shortness of breath Feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart To read the original article click here.

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Chest Pain in Children and Adolescents

Research Underway on Young Adults Experiencing Myocarditis After COVID Vaccine