Chest pain in the adolescent

Chest pain invokes serious concern in adolescents, their families, and their primary care physicians. These concerns are fueled by media reports of sudden death in high-profile athletes and the high incidence of ischemic heart disease in our society. However, chest pain in this age group is usually benign and a careful clinical evaluation including a detailed history and physical examination may guide the clinician in reaching a diagnosis, obtaining the appropriate diagnostic studies, and making the proper referrals to specialists.