What Causes Chest Pain Which Increases When Anxious?

Posted on Fri, 5 Dec 2014

Question: ive had this left side chest pain kinda straight across from armpit and chest rib joints for several years sometimes not noticeable other time flairs with a vengeance lasting weeks it goes away when I lie down.anxiety seems to make it worse or more noticeable ive had every heart test done even a XXXXXXX all clear and normal will I have this the rest of my life what in the world is it going on 11 yrears now it drives me crazy and have spent thousands at heart drs and er male age 36 slightly overweight quit smoking 7 months now

Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Generalised anxiety disoreder

Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir,

I have read your query and concern.

You most probably seem to have Generalized anxiety disorder ,responsible for most of your symptoms.

Heart ailments are pretty unlikely at your age.

But none the less, i advise you to have a baseline ECG and 2 dimensional echo to rule out organic heart disease.

Stress management is central management in your case.

Drugs like escitalopram and clonazepam will help.

Consult your doctor bout these drugs.

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Suresh Heijebu (24 minutes later)

ive had all those alredy all clear can anxiety cause the pain an all daily for so long

Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes they do persist.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Yes certainly the ill effects of anxiety can persist for several years.

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Suresh Heijebu (4 minutes later)

so with all my heart tests ive had I should safely be able to rule out my heart????

Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes they can rule it out.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Yes with 100% certainty you can rule out a heart disease.

Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Suresh Heijebu (18 minutes later)

ive had an upper gi and all as well it seems when I eat it hurts more sometimes and some if I don't eat sometimes eases up but when I chew tobacco it seems like it hurts it as well but the pain is higher above my breast area???

sometimes it feals as tho its a muscle cramp and my muscle there is locked up sometime I feal like a spasm in there its very painful at times and im stuck on worrying of my heart

Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Get an UGIE.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir.

Yes certainly this stomach discomfort is highly related to acid reflux disease,this can also present as a issue mimicking heart disease.

Hence i strongly recommend an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy/UGIE to rule this disorder out.

Overlying muscle spasms can be related to this

Than you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Suresh Heijebu (1 hour later)

really? so if im having gerd or acid reflux or asophageal spasms it could cause muscle spasms in my upper chest and all? that would explain allot as to how it hurts when I chew tobacco an eat sometime cause its like when I do it gets tense upper left chest area

Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Esophageal spasm can cause severe chest discomfort

Detailed Answer:
Hi, XXXXXXX

Yes certainly a combination of GERD/with or without Esophageal spasm can cause extreme degree of chest discomfort.

This esophageal spasm can cause chest pain referred to upper left chest area.

Drugs like Calcium channel blockers will help to relieve this distress to a great extent.

Consider a trial of this drug after consulting your doctor.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Suresh Heijebu (3 hours later)

it seems to hurt all day im up walking and moving sitting down or lying down it almost totally diminishes and comes on again upon standing walking and when I get out of bed ????

Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Pressure studies will be helpful

Detailed Answer:
Hi .

Such symptoms can be clearly delineated through 24hr ph monitoring and manometric studies.It reflects diffuse esophageal spasm mot likely

Thank you.

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj