Hi! The Past Week Or So I Ve Had Some

Posted on Sat, 6 Apr 2019

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

Sat, 6 Apr 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : Hi! The past week or so I've had some chest tightness and sharp "tickling" pain in my upper chest/lower throat when I inhale or exhale and it causes a slight cough, it's dry though I'm also feeling like I need to clear my throat with it a bit, it feels like there's mucus there... it's mostly in the evening. I have been doing some weight lifting at the gym and it's hard... I have had an EKG and chest X-ray and its all fine. I'm also prone to anxiety. It mostly feels like the feelings you can get after running a marathon... where the lungs are sharp when you breathe and the chest tight. Do you think this is an exertion thing? My diaphragm? Or could it be a pulmonary embolism?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Possibility of anxiety related symptoms is more likely

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
By your history and description, possibility of anxiety related symptoms is more likely.
No need to worry for pulmonary embolism or other heart and lung related issues as your ecg and chest x ray are normal.
No need to worry for diaphragm issues because it can not cause chest tightness.
The only thing I want to rule out in your case is asthma or bronchitis.
So please let me know
1. Do you have allergies?
2. Do you smoke?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng