If a child complains of chest pain, it might sound alarming to parents, but did you know that most cases of chest pain in kids don’t indicate a heart issue?

Story by: Norton Children’s on September 5, 2023

If a child complains of chest pain, it might sound alarming to parents, but did you know that most cases of chest pain in kids don’t indicate a heart issue?

“Chest pain is relatively common when a child is growing. It’s a good idea to bring this up with your child’s pediatrician, but parents should know that most instances of chest pain do not require a visit with a cardiology specialist,” said Brian J. Holland, M.D., pediatric cardiologist with Norton Children’s Heart Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine.

Here are some common causes of chest pain in kids, plus warning signs of a potential heart condition.

Common causes of chest pain in children

Most causes of chest pain in kids are musculoskeletal-related, meaning the pain involves the muscles and bones in the chest area, and not the heart.

Common causes of chest pain include:

• Cramps in the chest wall muscles (precordial catch syndrome)
• Intense or repeated coughing (respiratory illness)
• Inflammation of chest bone cartilage (costochondritis)
• Lung infections (such as pneumonia or COVID-19)
• Asthma
• Acid reflux or heartburn
• Anxiety

Chest pain warning signs

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the following symptoms are warning signs of a heart issue that should be of concern to parents:

• ​​Chest pain during physical exercise or activity​
• Chest pain or pressure that does not go away
• Chest pain and a decrease in normal physical endurance over days or weeks
• Chest pain followed by passing out or nearly passing out
• Chest pain in children with congenital heart disease
• Chest pain in children with a history of Kawasaki disease
• Chest pain in children who are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol
• Chest pain in children with a family member who died of unexplained reasons
• Chest pain in children with a family history of cardiomyopathy

If your child exhibits any of these listed symptoms, you should contact your pediatrician immediately for a referral to a cardiologist, contact Norton Children’s Heart Institute to make an appointment with a cardiology specialist or seek emergency treatment.