Chest pain in children can have many causes. Most are not serious. Sometimes chest pain is caused by stress or anxiety. Your child may have chest pain from heartburn (stomach acid reflux), a muscle strain, or lots of coughing. Other causes of the pain may be from inflammation of the cartilage and joints connecting the ribs to the breastbone (sternum). A child may have a hard time describing the pain, so it can be hard for you to figure out the cause. In some cases, the cause of chest pain is not known. In most children and teens, chest pain isn't caused by a serious medical condition.
Home care
The health care provider may prescribe medicines for pain or other symptoms, such as a cough. Follow all instructions for giving these medicines to your child. Don’t give your child any medicines that the provider hasn't approved.
General care
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Allow your child to do normal activities, as advised by your health care provider and as tolerated by your child. If an activity makes the pain worse, have your child rest.
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Position your child so that they are as comfortable as possible when having chest pain. Change their position as needed.
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A cold pack may help if the provider thinks the pain is from a sore muscle. For the first 2 days, use a cold pack on the sore muscle for 20 minutes, then as needed. Most young children won't use a cold pack because they don't like the feeling of the cold. Don't force your child to use one.
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If your child still has sore muscle pain after 2 days, apply a covered heating pad set on warm—not hot—or a warm cloth to the chest for 10 minutes, then as needed. If the pain seems worse after several hours, stop using heat.
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Ask the provider about stretches for the chest muscles that may help ease pain.
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If the provider thinks the pain is from heartburn, watch what your child eats. Limit junk food. Don't give your child a meal just before bedtime, and stay away from large meals.
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Talk with the provider about the causes of your child’s pain. The provider may advise other ways to ease it.
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Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used to treat sore or strained chest muscles. Don't give your child aspirin unless told to do so by the provider.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your child’s health care provider, or as advised.
Call 911
Call
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Has severe shortness of breath or is turning blue (cyanosis).
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Faints or loses consciousness.
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Is too weak to stand or move.
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Has an abnormal heartbeat.
When to get medical advice
Contact your child's health care provider right away if your child:
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Has existing heart disease.
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Has a fever.
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Has symptoms that don’t go away with medicine or other treatment.
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Has symptoms that get worse.
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Has trouble breathing.
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Has fast breathing.
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Has a rapid heartbeat.
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Looks very ill.
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Has pain that is severe and lasts for a prolonged period.
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Has chest pain that improves, but then gets worse again.
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Has a direct blow to the chest.
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