Heart Problems In A 16 YR Old?

Hi all,

I don't usually post personal things in a forum, but I need to vent or get reassurance or something cuz I'm freaking out.

So my 16 yr old daughter was complaining of chest pains and I got her set up with an ekg-yesterday. Well, they discovered that one of her heart valves was not shutting properly. Her test is being sent to a cardiologist and then to her doctor. I'm scared to death.

Has anybody else ever dealt with something like this? If you have please chime in.

Thanks for listening/reading.

Nope best of luck to your daughter

It's a false alarm, calm down. She's at a healthy age, time will fix everything!

When I was younger I had heart pain and EKG. Turned out to be nothing to worry about. Hope for the best, but the tests don't hurt.

these doctors will always have something to instill fear in us .... once i had got a brain hemorrhage and the doctors started doubting ii i had a brain tumour !!!

Dude, it's your daughter. Nothing we can say should change the way you feel right now. With that said, be calm. You're her rock and you always will be. This sort of thing is not uncommon, which will bring zero comfort to you. Have a beer, go to sleep and when you wake up consider this a test. Approach it as a test and your mind will guide you through every step without hesitation.

Good luck to both of you.

There is no connection between age and heart disease. It can occur at any age.

I feel for you. From my experience, I can tell you that it is very unlikely for a 16 year old to have heart disease, so don't worry about that. It is almost unheard of. However, young people can have adult onset diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure...this is an epidemic in America, and her symptoms can be related to that.

That being said, this is a small chance that she could have a small genetic defect of some kind. The good news is that these are very treatable today with medications and in some cases the problem may have to be surgically repaired. Rarely, people are born with a bicuspid aortic valve....it should be tri-leaflet. This is a genetic issue in some of the population and is easily correctable.

In any event, I am telling you all of this to let you know that you shouldn't worry as no matter what it is, it is treatable, and it is most likely nothing at all!! I am not a Dr...if I was, I wouldn't be a BH'r(well maybe I would). I am fairly young(40ish) and have heart disease and have had a few stents put in my heart recently. Hope this all helps...

Probably a prolapsed mitral valve. I am sorry to hear of this. I have had heart problems at a young age myself. I was 37 when I had my first heart attack. I am now 38 and my last heart attack was halloween of last year. I have always been in good physical condition and was a surprise to me. Take care of her and please listen to what the cardiologist has to say. Best of luck to you both. I know what it is like and wish you all the best.

taberdude2 said:

Hi all,

I don't usually post personal things in a forum, but I need to vent or get reassurance or something cuz I'm freaking out.

So my 16 yr old daughter was complaining of chest pains and I got her set up with an ekg-yesterday. Well, they discovered that one of her heart valves was not shutting properly. Her test is being sent to a cardiologist and then to her doctor. I'm scared to death.

Has anybody else ever dealt with something like this? If you have please chime in.

Thanks for listening/reading.

Click to expand...

I'm 15. When I was 12,13,14 years old I had a lot of these chest pains..

Whenever I breathed, I felt like my heart was compressing... It was a sharp pain in my chest..

Now it only happens occasionally, but do I have what your daughter has?

If so, I better check up with the doc... I seriously used to think I was having a heart attack because it hurt that much.

Hey, its alright. I was diagnosed with a heart condition when i was 15, it will be ok. I had 2 heart surgeries, neither were invasive. They can do amazing things now with technology. Im 20 and great... Its a tough thing to deal with at that age, I will tell you that, and she has to control her emotions alot more (I know, with teenagers thats tough), but generally doctors will identify this and will be able to be reassuring. But you freaking out and being scared won't help. I would know this as well. My mom just can't deal with it. I am currently functioning fine, I have a social life and I can work... Its just a matter of taking things in moderation at first until one knows her(or his) limits.

Hope everything works out well,

Amanda

I just want to say thank you for all of the posts and pm's.It is reassuring to know that there are other's who have gone through this or are going through something similar.

I am better this morning and feeling much more optimistic.

@gbmack- At first I thought maybe her chest pains were from anxiety, school just started. I am also prone to anxiety and panic attacks, due to a robbery at my retail store.(thats why I work online, now), so I thought maybe it was anxiety. But the pains would come, even when she was not anxious. So I took her to the doctor and her doctor heard a murmur, so we had an Ekg done.By all means, if you are unsure about your own chest pains, please see a doctor.

Anyway to everyone, thanks for the support- your words have put me in a better frame of mind!

Better to have a problem with a heart valve than with the muscle tissue itself. Valves can be repaired (I believe there are even artificial heart valves being made now, not 100% sure about that) but damage to the heart muscle is much more serious.

No heart problem is fun to deal with, but from what you've told us, you're not dealing with the worst-case scenario, so that should give you at least a little relief.