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Hello! I Have, As You May Know, Anxiety Disorder... And
Question: Hello! I have, as you may know, anxiety disorder... and now, my symptoms have shifted some and I have near constant tightness and tingling in my chest that gets worse with stress and exertion and anxiety. It favors my left side for sure when there's tingling but the tightness is liker the very center of my chest mostly, like where the ribs meet... I always feel like I have to stretch to loosen it up but it doesn't work... and is worse in the morning. But sometimes, just sitting down, I feel the discomfort. And it's really annoying and I always feel like I have to stay home and rest and not do anything in case I'm close to a heart attack.
Could this be a cardiac issue / angina or does this sound like anxiety?
Could this be a cardiac issue / angina or does this sound like anxiety?
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome back to Ask a Doctor service!
I passed carefully through your question and would explain that your symptoms are not typical of any cardiac disorders.
A panic attack or gastro-esophageal reflux can trigger all this clinical situation.
For this reason, I would recommend trying first an antiacid or PPI (omeprazole) and see if it helps improve your situation. If it works, it would be indicative of a gastro-esophageal reflux.
Otherwise, I would recommend trying Xanax 0.25mg during these episodes. You can try a herbal supplements as well (containing passiflora and valeriana), if you can not take Xanax (as it is given under medical prescription). If these supplements or Xanax can help improve the situation, it would be indicative of anxiety or a panic attack.
But, if all these drugs do not help, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a physical exam and further tests:
- inflammation tests (complete blood count, PCR, ESR)
- a chest X ray study
- an exercise cardiac stress test in order to totally exclude any possible cardiac disorders.
Hope to have been helpful!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome back to Ask a Doctor service!
I passed carefully through your question and would explain that your symptoms are not typical of any cardiac disorders.
A panic attack or gastro-esophageal reflux can trigger all this clinical situation.
For this reason, I would recommend trying first an antiacid or PPI (omeprazole) and see if it helps improve your situation. If it works, it would be indicative of a gastro-esophageal reflux.
Otherwise, I would recommend trying Xanax 0.25mg during these episodes. You can try a herbal supplements as well (containing passiflora and valeriana), if you can not take Xanax (as it is given under medical prescription). If these supplements or Xanax can help improve the situation, it would be indicative of anxiety or a panic attack.
But, if all these drugs do not help, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a physical exam and further tests:
- inflammation tests (complete blood count, PCR, ESR)
- a chest X ray study
- an exercise cardiac stress test in order to totally exclude any possible cardiac disorders.
Hope to have been helpful!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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