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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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My 14yr Old Son Feels Pain In His Heart ?

my 14yr old son keeps complaining of pain in his heart ? he had a 24hr heart monitor about 2 years ago that showed nothing abnormal but he still regularly complains that his heart hurts. i am taking him to the doctors today but although my docs are very good i feel that they will dismiss my concerns as the monitor didnt reveal anything. does anyone have a similar experience or any ideas of what could be causing this?
Wed, 28 Jul 2010
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  User's Response
's  Response
The vagus nerve carries pain sensations to the brain from the heart. It also carries pain senstions to the brain from the esophagus, portions of the stomach, intestines, lungs and the inside of the chest wall. If he is truly having pain "in his heart" then that pain could be coming from any of those organs. The brain can't tell the difference. First, a 24-hour event monitor does not rule out serious heart disease. He should have a much longer monitor with you keeping a good diary. If he has symptoms while the monitor is on, but the monitor shows no changes during those times, then you can be sure that the pain is not from an abnormal heart rhythm. Heart pain can also be from a structural problem rather than a rhythm problem. If his pain is truly heart pain then he should also have an electrocardiogram (EKG) and an echocardiogram (Echo). Second, most "heart pain" in kids, by a factor of about 20 to 1 is not heart pain at all, but rather a symptom of anxiety (mainly normal, but sometimes not). I'd want to keep track of when the pain happened (e.g. before quizzes, before chores) and how you responded as parents (e.g. does he get special attnetion when his "heart" hurts). Third, keep in mind the other organs attached to the vagus nerve. Might he have some acid reflux? Might he get gas pains or constipation? Might he have a lung disease like asthma? Is his problem with the chest wall lining (e.g. pleurisy or "costochondritis," which has a long name but is not at all serious)? Check out familydoctor.org and click on "Find a doctor" on the left if you're looking for a qualified doctor who understands all of these conditions and will take you seriously.
  User's Response
Chris Ray's  Response
I second what Satoshi said about the EKG & Echo. All her/his comments were well said. I would take him to Dr. Salamon in Corol Springs, Margate. He found a hole in my daughter's heart that had been there since birth and NO ONE had previously diagnosed it. She was 18 years old when I took her to see him. If we hadn't, and the hole had not been diagnosed and subsequently treated, her life span would have been dramatically shortened! I thank God for both Dr. Salamon and her surgeon, Dr. Burke. If you need surgery, take him to Dr. Redmond Burke @ Miami Children's Hospital. He's the VERY best in the business!!! I wouldn't mess around with a primary care phy. They aren't the experts... they're good at what they do, but that's why we have specialists.

You will not regret this. What's the worst thing that could happen if there's not anything wrong? You spent an hour or two in a Dr.'s office, and paid a co-pay. (Even if you don't have insurance, you should do what it takes to find out.) What's the best? Only the Lord knows that right now. Go find out! Either way, you'll be glad that you did. You'll sleep better.

Dr. Salamon
954-984-9090

DR. Burke
305-663-8401

~Chris (mother of a beautiful daughter with a patched hole and a beautiful life ahead)
  User's Response
Chris Ray's  Response
Sorry. Dr. Salamon is a Cardiologist-

~Chris
  User's Response
bbfree2da's  Response
My 6 year old has been complaining that his heart hurts and today he said the sun makes his heart actually burn? Help please?

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My 14yr Old Son Feels Pain In His Heart ?

The vagus nerve carries pain sensations to the brain from the heart. It also carries pain senstions to the brain from the esophagus, portions of the stomach, intestines, lungs and the inside of the chest wall. If he is truly having pain in his heart then that pain could be coming from any of those organs. The brain can t tell the difference. First, a 24-hour event monitor does not rule out serious heart disease. He should have a much longer monitor with you keeping a good diary. If he has symptoms while the monitor is on, but the monitor shows no changes during those times, then you can be sure that the pain is not from an abnormal heart rhythm. Heart pain can also be from a structural problem rather than a rhythm problem. If his pain is truly heart pain then he should also have an electrocardiogram (EKG) and an echocardiogram (Echo). Second, most heart pain in kids, by a factor of about 20 to 1 is not heart pain at all, but rather a symptom of anxiety (mainly normal, but sometimes not). I d want to keep track of when the pain happened (e.g. before quizzes, before chores) and how you responded as parents (e.g. does he get special attnetion when his heart hurts). Third, keep in mind the other organs attached to the vagus nerve. Might he have some acid reflux? Might he get gas pains or constipation? Might he have a lung disease like asthma? Is his problem with the chest wall lining (e.g. pleurisy or costochondritis, which has a long name but is not at all serious)? Check out familydoctor.org and click on Find a doctor on the left if you re looking for a qualified doctor who understands all of these conditions and will take you seriously.