Chest tightness

[Philco37]

Hi all, for the past two months I have been under the impression that I may have angina. My GP thought that I might, and I am awaiting a stress ECG to see if that will clarify my situation at all. My ECG at the surgery proved to be fine, no problems indicated, but I just have this chest tightness which begins in the evenings, about an hour or so after any exercise I might do. I suffer from chronic catarrh, and I often wonder if it could be that which is causing this chest tightness, I also suffer from panic attacks which confusing the issue even further. But above all, it's the fact that I have never had any chest pain, only the chest tightness, and always about an hour after I have been doing any activity, can anyone relate to this kind of situation? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, Thank you all, Philco

[Hidden]

Hi Philco,

I have Microvascular Angina and have also suffered from panic attacks in the past. Both can cause chest tightness.

The MVA causes tightness but also a great deal of pain and one of the triggers is exercise.

One thing you could try is relaxation therapy, which helps both conditions. Set aside 15 minutes every day and listen to a relaxation app/cd/MP3. You will need to persevere for several weeks but if you keep at it you will find you can relax deeper and deeper and eventually be able to fall into this state almost anywhere you are just by stopping for a couple of minutes and thinking about it...this can diffuse a panic attack and relieve stress.

Obviously if you start getting more pain you will need to get checked out but this is something that will help you in any case.

Good luck!

[Philco37 in reply to Hidden]

Hi MintTeaPlease, thank you for that, all sounds good advice, and just by chance my good wife tells me she has a special tape that will be just the thing, kept many years ago when working at our local hospital. So thanks again, Philco

[Hidden in reply to Philco37]

No problem, hope it helps!

[Yasyass]

I have been having slight weird chest pains on off but also suffer from indigestion problems but the most worrying is because I had a heart attack four yr ago but I didn’t have any chest pains then I too also worry then feel my chest hurts I hoping my gp will do a ecg as to reassure me I thought steam inhalation was good for catarrah u should ph the gp again and explain that u r worried take care