What Causes Severe Pain In The Chest After Running?

Posted on Wed, 12 Oct 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 12 Oct 2016 Answered on

Thu, 3 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : This question is about my son who is 12. After running a mile during gym, he experienced extreme discomfort and pain, saying it felt like his chest was being squeezed in someone's fist. He was in the nurse's office rolling around on the bed and floor crying out from pain. Said he was really overheating, yanked off his shirt and was pulling his pants up above his knees. It was bad enough that the nurse was ready to call 911, when it started to improve and become more sporadic. After about 45 minutes, when I got there, he said it still burned in his chest when he took a breath, but it was better other than that.

When he played soccer this fall, he would always say how terrible he felt when the game was over; coughing, felt like he was going to vomit, lightheaded. But this was much worse than that.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
He needs evaluation regarding cardiac and GER issues

Detailed Answer:
Hi.... by what you quote, I think that he might be having gastro-oesophageal reflex or palpitation. He needs evaluation regarding both.

I suggest you consult your pediatrician and work up in terms of -

1. Palpitations - echocardiogram and ecg are required.

2. GER - he will require a course of antireflux drugs.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar