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Taking Medicine For High BP. Experiencing Sudden Sharp Neck Pain, Chest Tightness. Heart Problem?
Question: Heart trouble or anxiety? I'm a 29 year old male, 5' 7", 220 lbs. I have some generalized anxiety issues, but I am usually able to keep them under control. I also have high blood pressure and take medication for it (metoprolol and losartan).
This past week I have struggled with some unpleasant symptoms that I worry are more heart related than anxiety related. On Sunday night I had a sudden, sharp pain in the front right base of my neck while walking through a store, followed by aches the next few days on both sides of my neck. This was accompanied throughout the week by pain and tightness in both my chest and arms, which, though it's been a symptom of my anxiety, felt more acute than normal. My blood pressure is normally fairly well-controlled with my meds, but last night and tonight my systolic was up around 145.
This week I've started a new job, and I've been under a lot of stress at work. Money's been tight too, and I've had other issues that could have contributed to my stress load. I know I've been under a lot of extra stress lately, but I'm not sure how much it's contributed to my current symptoms. Should I see my doc about these symptoms, or keep on keeping on?
This past week I have struggled with some unpleasant symptoms that I worry are more heart related than anxiety related. On Sunday night I had a sudden, sharp pain in the front right base of my neck while walking through a store, followed by aches the next few days on both sides of my neck. This was accompanied throughout the week by pain and tightness in both my chest and arms, which, though it's been a symptom of my anxiety, felt more acute than normal. My blood pressure is normally fairly well-controlled with my meds, but last night and tonight my systolic was up around 145.
This week I've started a new job, and I've been under a lot of stress at work. Money's been tight too, and I've had other issues that could have contributed to my stress load. I know I've been under a lot of extra stress lately, but I'm not sure how much it's contributed to my current symptoms. Should I see my doc about these symptoms, or keep on keeping on?
Hello..........
Thanks for your query. I understand your trouble in differentiating anxiety and cardiac symptoms. Sometimes distinguishing is a challenge even to us. To compound the problem, stress not only precipitates anxiety symptoms but also cardiac problems as well as hypertension. Hence, though it appears stress-related i would suggest an ECG and a physician opinion rather than attributing the symptoms purely to an anxiety disorder. Do clarify further if required. Wish you good health.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
Thanks for your query. I understand your trouble in differentiating anxiety and cardiac symptoms. Sometimes distinguishing is a challenge even to us. To compound the problem, stress not only precipitates anxiety symptoms but also cardiac problems as well as hypertension. Hence, though it appears stress-related i would suggest an ECG and a physician opinion rather than attributing the symptoms purely to an anxiety disorder. Do clarify further if required. Wish you good health.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks. Are there any good tips I can use to differentiate between the two?
Hello......
The usual differentiating factors are anxiety related symptoms would be non specific involving multiple bodily systems simultaneously like palpitations, tremors, increased sense of urination etc while cardiac symptoms would be of specific pattern involving only chest pain that may radiate to shoulders/axilla, sweating and palpitations without involving other bodily systems. However, definitive differentiation as i mentioned would require an ECG.
Regards
Dr Sundar
The usual differentiating factors are anxiety related symptoms would be non specific involving multiple bodily systems simultaneously like palpitations, tremors, increased sense of urination etc while cardiac symptoms would be of specific pattern involving only chest pain that may radiate to shoulders/axilla, sweating and palpitations without involving other bodily systems. However, definitive differentiation as i mentioned would require an ECG.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. I appreciate your input. Is the neck pain a usual symptom of anxiety? I'm used to random aches and pain in my chest and arms as the result of my anxiety, but this would be a first for neck pain.
Hello......
Yes neck pain could indeed be a manifestation of anxiety symptoms due to continous nervous discharge and sustained contraction of neck muscles. It is a common symptom in anxiety disorders.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Yes neck pain could indeed be a manifestation of anxiety symptoms due to continous nervous discharge and sustained contraction of neck muscles. It is a common symptom in anxiety disorders.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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