Early Morning chest tightness

Here I am again, waking early morning with a tight chest and not getting very far with diagnosis. I started my journey in June 2021 with High Blood Pressure of 215/115. Meds have been aggressive - Ramipril, Amlodipine and Bisoprolol - Latest reading this morning of 118/78 HR 54. Blood Pressure normally now averages daily 115/75 - so great stuff. However I have consistently reported chest tightening/squeezing early morning and some tightness when walking fast resulting in a trip to chest pain clinic in December where at the time my BP was in the 160/90 region and so after a brief and very abrupt 5 minute ECG was discharged and told it was due to anxiety and HBP. Told not to use my NGT spray as not needed (Even though it helps). and I worry about being dependent on it or damaging myself further

I'm still getting this tightness and it is distressing. I am confused and worried. I just want to get to the bottom of it. Is it anxiety, is it the medications, is it Angina is it something else? I don't seem to be getting anywhere and it certainly does not help my anxiety. I never had these symptoms before BP treatment.

Anyway, I don't know whether to ask my GP for a private referral to a cardiologist for perhaps an Echocardiogram or a CT scan to try to bottom this.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello BP 120,

Having chest pain or tightness at night or at rest needs further investigation.

I suggest you go to your GP and ask to be referred back to a Cardiologist.

Your quality of life is being negatively effected. You know your body best and sometimes you need to be persistent.

[Hidden]

Dear BP120

I have just read all of your posts { including this one } to see if there is any pattern to your problems.

You have to remember that I am not medically trained, but it does become fairly obvious that you are not getting clear answers to the problems that you are presenting to the medical profession.

You and I both know that the sensations your having with your chest is not the normal, certainly not for you as you would not have noticed them if they were.

It could and can be brought on with anxiety, but only someone trained can confirm this, and if it is so then why are they not treating you for it?

Anxiety { if it is } should never be dismissed.

You have to push a little harder to get your answers, hopefully then a course of treatment can be worked out for you and some standard of living returned back to you.

For as far as I can tell in your posts this is something that you have not had for a while.

Take care and please keep us informed

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Dear Blue1958, thank you once again for your reply. I don't feel like "Anxious Andrew" at the moment, Citalopram seems to sort that, and I'm fairly happy with most things in my life but this constant chest tightness/minor pain in the morning is driving me crazy as I cannot seem to get an explanation for it. It seems ignored by my GP each time I mention it. It has got to the point that my wife is thinking of writing to the GP on my behalf! Is that weak - getting my wife to push on my behalf. I just feel a nuisance to the whole system but also know I'm not imaging it!! I will keep plodding and smiling! Keep well Andrew.

[ETHEL103]

Hi.Im not a medic but Bisoprolol and later carvedilol gave me a very tight chest feeling like I couldn't get enough air in ,it was awful.Thankfully my gp switched me to verapimil and still a few issues as with any meds but at least that tight chest feeling has gone and I can walk to the kitchen without getting puffed.Can now walk 3 miles no probs if my dodgy hip allows.Best wishes.

[Griff-64]

I've been on ramipril and bisoprolol for some years but for the last few weeks have been suffering high BP, especially first thing in the morning.So, after keeping a record for a few days and sending the results to the health centre, I got a phone call from a Dr I haven't dealt with before, and now I'm on day 4 of amlodipine, having chest pains, BP better but still too high, but I'll persevere for now.

[lindyloo59]

Hi I know your post was some time ago but how did you get on with your chest tightness on waking? I have had this tightness on and off for quite a while even when resting. Im rather worried its heart related. Ive recently had a brain scan as I was getting migranal symptoms which came back clear but still getting tightness of chest. Have appt on thursday with dr. Thanks