Chest pain?

Question

I am 16, and I am having frequnt chest pains. I don't know what it is from. It comes and goes sometimes. It is not that bad, but it is discomferting. I am concerned because the pain is around my heart. What should I do?

oh I forgot to mention. I cannot go to the doctor because my parents dont think it is that serious. And we don't have insurance.

Doctors are too expensive and my parents wont pay for it.

I know I need to speak with a doctor! but that isnt possible.

I cannot just go to the doctor, as I do not have a car. And my parents will not take me because they think its nothing.

It lasts about 3-5 minutes, and happens while I am sitting down or just doing nothing.

Answer 1

Please visit a doctor to make sure everything checks out ok. Tell your parents you feel the need to visit the doctor. If they refuse (usually parents do not). I would talk to another responsible adult and still make sure you get it checked out. Chest pains should always be checked at any age. Ok? The best of health to you.

Addition: You are worth a visit to the doctors! It is NOT your fault your parents do not have health insurance. If they cannot help you go to another responsible adult (other family members, teacher, counsler, neighbor, friends). Clinics and doctors do make payment arrangements and if you call around some will be cheaper than others to go to (and still get quality care). Health prices vary sometimes just like anything else.
Usually your parents should be able to get low cost insurance for minor children. You can do a search on the web for them. Type in your browser something like this, lets say you live in Hawaii.

Health insurance for children Hawaii

Not saying you are a child but that is what health insurance companys say until you are 18. You could replace the word children with minor and see how that works. Your state government web page should also have links and resources for health insurance. You could type (again if you lived in Hawaii)

State of Hawaii

that should bring up a variety of listings and you would look through them for the government page. Usually you can tell by the internet address.

You could also offer to get a part time job to help pay for the medical costs.

P.S. If you have recently been to the dentist, and your chest pain started after your visit, get to a doctor asap. In certain individuals sometimes and infection can form around the heart after having dental work done.

Answer 2

I am not a doc, but you have to ask yourself, what are you usually doing when you have the pain? Are you exercising? Are you sitting on the couch? What exactly are you doing? Also, approximately how long is it lasting? Also, do you have the pain when you breathe in and breathe out? Chest pain is not necessarily heart related, it could be anxiety, it could be from caffeine, it could be from a chest wall injury from coughing or sneezing too hard (did you just get over having a cold or flu?), it could be from a reaction from medications, etc. Usually, if you can touch it with your hand and it hurts, it is a muscle related pain, and not heart related, probably a strained muscle. If you do not want to take any chances, go to get an EKG (electrocardiogram) to rule out any heart related pain) so you can rest easy. Good luck! It is most likely nothing, You say that you do not have insurance, but they would treat you first, then bill you later. Believe me, I know how it is to have stubborn parents. Seeing your appear to have little or no empathy or compassion, you probably have panic disorder, like myself. The symptoms mimic a heart attack. Caffeine aggravates it. Do you have any other accompanying symptoms? Does your chest pain last longer than 30 minutes in a row? Not to insinuate anything, but alcohol also causes chest pain in many people. I think you need to go by your gut instinct, even though you are under your parents rule and their roof and money, if you honestly feel it is something life threatening then if your parents don't take your seriously you always have the option of calling 911. That will take care of your ride to the doctor and quick. It will also take care of your tests and so forth. The problem is, is that my mom had a heart attack and she had no pain whatsoever: only a tiny bit of tightness. So, pain is not always a good indicator of heart attack.

Another thing, of course, it is no substitute for a doctor, but is to take baby aspirin daily as directed (it is supposed to prevent heart attacks). (You know the (Orange Baby Aspirin). Another thing is to call a hospital and ask for the Triage Nurse, and tell them your symptoms, but I will bet they will tell you to come in ASAP.

Answer 3

You should see a doctor. Your parents may be right, but if it's really worrying you, and happening a lot, it's not worth the risk. Tell a school counselor, or maybe a school nurse. If you live in a populated enough area, you could maybe find a free clinic. And if all else fails - you're still worried and it's getting worse - and your parents refuse to have you checked out - tell them you'll report them for neglect. If you're too scared to tell them that, or if they don't take that threat seriously enough, just do it, call child protective services and tell them you believe they are putting you at risk. I know that's harsh, but maybe you'll just find out you're an immature, 16 year old who worries too much. (By the way, at 16 you're supposed to be immature - it's not a slam.) If your parents are good people, they will get over being mad at you for reporting the problem... eventually. Or if something is wrong and it saves your life, they'll be thankful.

Answer 4

Unfortunately you need to get it checked out by your doctor. I would probably be pretty sure in saying that at your age you don't have cholesterol buildup in your coronary arteries so aren't likely to be having a heart attack anytime soon. But there are so many other heart diseases that your Dr. needs to rule out. You could have problems with your valves, arrhythmias (rhythym problems) etc. But it could be digestive problems too, sometime if you have some indigestion etc it is frequently mistaken for heart pains. But most likely at your age it is some chest wall pain if you don't have any congenital heart defect (heart problems you were born with that your pediatrician probably would've been aware of). Chest wall pain is in the muscles around the area where your heart is and can be mistaken for heart pains. With heart problems, the Dr. can tell alot just by your desription of the pain, but will likely do some tests if you give him some info that sounds problematic. And if all else is ruled out, he might start looking at anxiety/nerves. Sometimes that can also seem like heart problems. Good luck

Answer 5

Go to the doctor!! Even if it's GERD or some other indigestion symptom, that too can become serious without a dr. The way to tell if it truly is something to do with your heart, normally there will be some shortness of breath and dizziness or even shooting pains down the left arm.

Answer 6

Do this now. Tell your parents immediately and ask them to take you to a doctor as soon as possible, or better still, go to the emergency room. Chest pains are nothing to play around with.

Answer 7

After reading your additional details, I don't believe your post is genuine, and that you are just another pitiful troll seeking undeserved attention and empathy. The person you should be seeking help from is a shrink. Moreover, I find it odd that your parents, who you say have no insurance and not many financial resources, can afford to pay for you to see a dentist, but can not afford to pay for a doctor's visit for your so called chest pain (phantom pain.) For the reasons stated, I recind my original post.

Answer 8

You could be suffering from Indigestion...or Acid Reflux...do you ever hear any gurgling sounds coming from your chest area?? Indigestion and acid reflux can cause you to have pain as you describe....Go and have your doctor check you out..I hope you feel better...(smile*) p.s. If you cant see a doctor...then try taking 2 spoonfuls of Mylanta...it works great on indigestion...

Answer 9

If you are in school right now, go to your guidance counsellor and explain your family situatuion. They have ways of providing help. If you are active, horsplaying, wrestling, football, it could be a bruised rib, which will heal with time. But still get some kind of help better to know than not. Good luck.

Answer 10

I would get it checked out could be just inflammation of the tender breast bone I am a pedtriac nurse specialize in children health and takin care of kids it could be pilosirsiy (sp) But tell your mom or someone and have them take u in and get it checked out