Chest Pain in Children | Frequently Asked Questions | Promo

2,352 views · Published 23 June 2015 · 0:36 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: Cincinnati Children's · 2015 · Nonprofits & Activism

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http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/chest-pain

Chest pain can be scary, but rarely heart-related.

Common causes are stress, coughing, inflammation, and yes, even growing pains.

As a cardiologist in the Heart Institute at Cincinnati Children’s, Nicolas Madsen, MD, MPH, sees a lot of children with chest pain.

The good news is that less than one percent of cases involve an underlying heart condition. Typically, the cause is a viral illness, stress, an inflammatory condition or old-fashioned growing pains.

“The pain is real, so parents should not minimize how much it hurts,” says Madsen. “Some kids are near tears, so I’m always reassuring. But it doesn’t mean it’s heart-related.”

Children age 7 to teens are most likely to complain of chest pain. One common cause is costochondritis, or inflammation in the joint between the breastbone and ribs. It’s usually the result of a virus or frequent, forceful coughing. It’s not a serious concern and Ibuprofen or a prescription anti-inflammatory should ease symptoms.

To hear him answer frequently asked questions, go to http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/chest-pain

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