 [ Symptoms ] left chest pains while running   16 year old male african american   high school track star   runs most days   no health issues or injuries   feels severe6   8 5 out of 10 pains in left chest when running very rarely appears but consistently reoccurs   most often happens when running stuffy room treadmill or when overdressing too heavy clothes for the weather   brought it up with my regular pediatrician who said she did not know what it was and that i should get back to her if it reoccurs [ Disease ] most helpful answer my advice go back to your doctor sure heart problems are rare in someone your age and at your level of fitness but that does not mean this does not warrant further investigation when you return to the doctor be prepared to ask these questions what could be causing such severe pain because 8 5 out of 10 is severe on any scale what diagnostic tests are available to me should i see a cardiologist could this be sickle cell disease may i get a complete metabolic panel just to make sure there is nothing weird going on what is the worst case scenario what is the best case scenario sometimes just knowing the questions to ask is helpful if you are not satisfied with the answers your pediatrician gives you such as i do not know what is causing that feel free to consult another health care provider you deserve answers to your questions you have legitimate symptoms i wish you all the best