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General health

Can dull chest pain be stress / anxiety related?

8 replies

NoonarAgain · 14/09/2016 21:23

Hi. I am having an unbelievably stressful week. House move imminent. DC just started new school. Dh abroad. Massive workload at work.

Today I had to do some staff training and felt a bit nervous, as is usual for me where public speaking is concerned. I have sometimes has rapid breathing and dry mouth in this situation but it passes. However, today I had a full achy chest pain that went on for about half an hour, then returned after the session ( it may have persisted during it, but if so, must have been mild enough to be ignore, unlike earlier).

So... Is it heart? Anxiety? Or stress putting strain on my heart? Should I worry? Never had this before. I do occasionally have palpitations which may be linked to stress. Had a clear ecg within the last 6 months, as palpitations got really bad for a couple of weeks ( despite lack of obvious stress at that particular time) . The dull ache was entirely new. Any thoughts?

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DocMcFanjo · 14/09/2016 21:28

It could be anxiety yes, but it could also be angina.

Anything described as dull or heavy would set my alarm bells ringing tbh. Based on what you've said alone I'd say get yourself to a doctor and get it checked. It's too important not to. Flowers

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NoonarAgain · 14/09/2016 21:34

Oh gawd, is it very dangerous? Should I tell Dc (12 and 14 ) in case in poorly in the night??? How is angina diagnosed?

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AnxiousCarer · 14/09/2016 21:36

I get chest tightness with anxiety, but if you've got any doubts see your Dr or if really worried a&e, it might be nothing but sure they would rather check you out and find nothibg than have you rushed into resus!

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NoonarAgain · 14/09/2016 21:40

Ha! I'm feeling a bit of health anxiety creeping up on me now.
I'm Mid 40s size 10-12/ Bmi of 21 and have low blood pressure. Surely in quite low risk?

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DocMcFanjo · 14/09/2016 22:33

Sorry for posting and abandoning! Yes, you certainly sound low risk so with that in mind angina is less likely.

Assuming you have no pain now I'd see if you could get a prompt GP appointment for an ECG etc. to be on the safe side.

Things to look out for are heavy chest pain (weight on your chest) radiating down an arm or into the jaw, nausea, sweating, shortness of breath. Admittedly some of those may come with anxiety too!

But if you're feeling okay now then sit tight and see GP when you can.

HTH and sorry if I added to your anxiety at all Flowers

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NoonarAgain · 15/09/2016 09:54

thanks doc, I'm not going to rush to the gp. surely, if i've had an ecg within last 6 months then they would have picked anything up? or could angina suddenly develop?

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DocMcFanjo · 15/09/2016 23:16

Just seen this Noonar.

Angina can come on suddenly and an ECG may not detect it. If signs point towards it then a stress test variant of an ECG is often needed to diagnose it.

So see how you go but certainly any further symptoms should be checked.

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NoonarAgain · 16/09/2016 08:57

thanks doc, I will monitor things for now. have had nothing similar since, and I have been hugely stressed (still am, but at least its my day off!) so hoping its just that.

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