Brief Answer:
Anxiety is very likely the cause- recommendations

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.

I carefully read your question and understand your concern.

The episodes you are experiencing might give you the feeling that something bad is happening as you feel tight in the chest and lack of oxygen. They are generally episodes that come and go suddenly without much warning and might scare you of having some lung or heart problem. The Chest Xray and ECG seem to be normal so in a way it rules out many issues related to these two organs.

The episodes you experience are typical of an anxiety episode. You feel it hard to get enough air and hyperventilate and this causes changes in the blood that cause the lightheaded and light feeling and also the numbness you are experiencing.

Even though the patient experiences these episodes as very distressing sometimes; they are benign and do not come from a physical cause of problem with the heart or lungs.

What i would recommend you is:
1. make sure you go in a quiet place when these episodes happen and try to breath in a paper bag- this will reduce the lightheaded feeling and the numbness.
2. breath slow by slowly counting
3. avoid coffee, alcohol and smoking and energy drinks- these might precipitate episodes
4. make sure you rest enough during the day and go for walks and do things you enjoy
5. Gym might be a good idea to help you feel better
6. if no improvement with these you will need a visit with a doctor and I would recommend you to have a TSH done to rule out thyroid problems
7. If thyroid function is normal than the doctor might recommend tablets to help with anxiety and or counselling.

I hope this is helpful and answers to your question but please feel free to contact me in case more clarifications needed related to this question.

I wish you quick healing

Kind regards

Dr Antoneta Zotaj

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