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What Causes Chest Tightness And Pressure?
Question: This started about a little over a week ago. I started feeling chest tightness and as a result i got anxious and went to the er they told me my ekg and heart was fine as well as bloodwork. they told me it was probably musculoskeletal related. I know for a fact it is not anxiety. It is not painful often but I get a very tight pressure in my upper chest not near my heart more so right below my neck and it comes more often after i eat. I also went 2 days without any symptoms at all. I did get anxious as a result of the pressure but i have never been diagnosed with anxiety in my life. I am a very positive person and i know for a fact this has to be something else. This started after i worked my chest out at the gym a little over a week ago. since that day its been constant except for the 2 days i said i had no symptoms. What could this be? nothing online really gives me a good idea. Again its a very tight pressure in my upper chest above my pecs located directly below my neck and the doctors told me its non cardiac related. I also havent experienced any bad acid reflux so i am confused as to what this could be. any help is appreciative thank you.
Brief Answer:
This can be musculoskeletal or oesophageal spasm
Detailed Answer:
hello,
I am Dr.Rajesh Teli,MD.
I have gone through your query.Thanks for using HCM.
I have noticed two important information in your history.
1.It has starting after you have started work out .
2.your tightness increases after food .
your pain is on right side and below neck so even from history it is quite clear that it is not heart pain.Your ECG and blood tests also have ruled out heart condition.
so most likely cause of your symptom is muscle sprain or sprain to joints of chest I.e. costo chondral joints.May be some sprain to your neck muscles.since you are having aggravation after meal it can be acid reflux leading to spasm of oesophagus.
I suggest you to take muscle relaxants along with NSAID,Rabeprazole and anti reflux medicines.
I suggest you to get your x Ray chest done to rule out any crack in rib.
you avoid exercise and spicy food and wait for 48 hours.
I would like to know your response with this line of treatment and inform me about reports of x rays.
My best wishes
Dr.Rajesh Teli.
This can be musculoskeletal or oesophageal spasm
Detailed Answer:
hello,
I am Dr.Rajesh Teli,MD.
I have gone through your query.Thanks for using HCM.
I have noticed two important information in your history.
1.It has starting after you have started work out .
2.your tightness increases after food .
your pain is on right side and below neck so even from history it is quite clear that it is not heart pain.Your ECG and blood tests also have ruled out heart condition.
so most likely cause of your symptom is muscle sprain or sprain to joints of chest I.e. costo chondral joints.May be some sprain to your neck muscles.since you are having aggravation after meal it can be acid reflux leading to spasm of oesophagus.
I suggest you to take muscle relaxants along with NSAID,Rabeprazole and anti reflux medicines.
I suggest you to get your x Ray chest done to rule out any crack in rib.
you avoid exercise and spicy food and wait for 48 hours.
I would like to know your response with this line of treatment and inform me about reports of x rays.
My best wishes
Dr.Rajesh Teli.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
thank you. while i have you here something interesting came up. I ate pizza about two hours ago and soon after my chest got veryyyyy tight to the point where it almost caused me to panic i didnt though. it felt like my voice got very hoarse and i kept burping up acid. could it be GERD or something im experiencing? I could breathe although it felt like i couldnt. felt like there was something stuck in my throat that i just couldnt cough up.
Brief Answer:
Yes it is GERD
Detailed Answer:
hello,
your description is classical of GERD.It means that acid is coming into your food pipe and throat in retrograde direction from stomach.Acid is even touching your vocal cords producing hoarse voice.
please observe following precaution.
1.Take small frequent meals instead of heavy meals.Also avoid prolonged fasting.
2.Avoid spicy,hot and sour food.
3.maintain spacing of 3 hours between your meal and sleep.Never lye down after meal.
4.Avoid smoking,alcohol and NSAID.you should take medicine like etrocoxib as NSAID if at all you need .
5.you may take combination of Rabeprazole and levosulpride daily morning before breakfast at least for 4 weeks.
I m sure you will be fine.
you will have to follow food habits suggested forever
My best wishes
Dr.Teli.
Yes it is GERD
Detailed Answer:
hello,
your description is classical of GERD.It means that acid is coming into your food pipe and throat in retrograde direction from stomach.Acid is even touching your vocal cords producing hoarse voice.
please observe following precaution.
1.Take small frequent meals instead of heavy meals.Also avoid prolonged fasting.
2.Avoid spicy,hot and sour food.
3.maintain spacing of 3 hours between your meal and sleep.Never lye down after meal.
4.Avoid smoking,alcohol and NSAID.you should take medicine like etrocoxib as NSAID if at all you need .
5.you may take combination of Rabeprazole and levosulpride daily morning before breakfast at least for 4 weeks.
I m sure you will be fine.
you will have to follow food habits suggested forever
My best wishes
Dr.Teli.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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