Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Are Excessive Crying, Chest Pain, Breathing Difficulty And Heart Palpitations Symptoms Of Anxiety?
Question: Two nights ago I was dreaming that my brother died and in my dream I was in so much emotional pain when I was crying, The pain on my chest was a lot and couldn't breathe, I woke up and I couldn't breathe and I had discomfort on my left upper chest area I tried lying on my back but didn't help also also our thermostat was set to 76 and had to lower because I was feeling hot, the following night the shortness of bread and rapid heart palpitations woke me up I have notice that I cannot go to sleep on my left side because my heart would start palpitating a lot and the shortness of breath too, also my left upper body (chest, and arm feel weak), I went to a doctor she thinks is anxiety, but am worried that it could be something more serious, please advice
Brief Answer:
Probably only Anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hi friend
Welcome to Health Care Magic
True, it sounds like Anxiety. Your symptoms do not suggest Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) – pain from the heart is oppressing, in central chest (and left), worse on effort, relieved by rest, may radiate to shoulders and arms, associated with sweating and so on. Also, it is very uncommon in women of child bearing age.
Many cases of such pain and/or palpitation are benign and specific treatment may not always be necessary.- especially when associated with normal ECG, ECHO. If you also have symptoms like blurred vision, dizziness, loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, along with this, you need urgent work up
If the problem continues, you will need investigations…
Heartbeats need to be DOCUMENTED by ElectroCardioGram (EKG). Standard ECG records the electrical activity of the heart, for a few seconds. It can detect the arrhythmia occurring during that time only. If the episode occurs randomly, one needs Holter or event monitor.
An ECHOcardiogram is usually done to see the heart valves (Mitral Valve Prolapse) / heart muscle (Cardiomyopathy) and heart function (Ejection fraction, wall motion abnormality) / clots...
TMT – Treadmill exercise ECG is done to evaluate ischemia (reduced blood flow / Coronary Artery Disease)
As it is, you do not seem to need anything, but follow up, if symptomatic
Good luck
God bless you
Probably only Anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hi friend
Welcome to Health Care Magic
True, it sounds like Anxiety. Your symptoms do not suggest Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) – pain from the heart is oppressing, in central chest (and left), worse on effort, relieved by rest, may radiate to shoulders and arms, associated with sweating and so on. Also, it is very uncommon in women of child bearing age.
Many cases of such pain and/or palpitation are benign and specific treatment may not always be necessary.- especially when associated with normal ECG, ECHO. If you also have symptoms like blurred vision, dizziness, loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, along with this, you need urgent work up
If the problem continues, you will need investigations…
Heartbeats need to be DOCUMENTED by ElectroCardioGram (EKG). Standard ECG records the electrical activity of the heart, for a few seconds. It can detect the arrhythmia occurring during that time only. If the episode occurs randomly, one needs Holter or event monitor.
An ECHOcardiogram is usually done to see the heart valves (Mitral Valve Prolapse) / heart muscle (Cardiomyopathy) and heart function (Ejection fraction, wall motion abnormality) / clots...
TMT – Treadmill exercise ECG is done to evaluate ischemia (reduced blood flow / Coronary Artery Disease)
As it is, you do not seem to need anything, but follow up, if symptomatic
Good luck
God bless you
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
