Chest Pain Clinical Pathway — Emergency Department
Patient Education
Chest pain is common in pediatrics, especially among teenagers. Fortunately, most chest pain in children is not related to the heart. Instead, this pain often comes from the chest wall. For this type of pain, called musculoskeletal pain, over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen are usually helpful, but please discuss with your primary care provider first.
However, chest pain can sometimes suggest that there is indeed a heart issue, especially if it occurs with exercise and play. To rule out any serious issues, please contact your child’s primary care provider, who can determine if your child should see a pediatric cardiologist for further evaluation and testing.