First Aid: Chest Pains

Chest pain can be caused by many things, from a pulled muscle to asthma. Depending on the reason for the pain, the symptoms may differ. Chest pain in children is rarely a sign of heart trouble.

Signs and Symptoms

• tightness
• discomfort
• burning sensation
• pain when taking deep breaths
• coughing
• wheezing

What to Do

• Call the doctor if your child has ongoing chest pain.

Get Emergency Medical Care If:

• Chest pain happens during exercise.

Your child has:

• trouble breathing or rapid breathing
• a racing heart or heart palpitations (fluttering)
• pressure in the chest
• dizziness or fainting
• blue or gray color around the lips

Think Prevention!

It's hard to always avoid chest pain because it has many possible causes. But you can:

• Make sure kids get routine immunizations to prevent infections that could cause chest pain.
• Follow the doctor's treatment plan if your child has asthma.
• Avoid foods that seem to bring on indigestion.
• Make sure kids have a sports physical before playing organized sports.