What’s wrong with me? Tight chest and feel anxious

[User758172]

I woke up feeling this uncomfortable tightness in my chest. I feel anxious and panicked, and everything is slightly surreal, as though I’m walking through a dream. I’ve never felt this way before, it’s frightening! Any idea what could be wrong with me?

Can you sit down, and really concentrate on your breathing? Just count your breaths to ten then start again. Don’t worry if your mind wanders, just start again.

Have you had panic attacks before?

You need to get medical advice asap. Dont want to scare you but any sort of chest pain or tightness needs checking.

Have you had your iron checked? Mine manifests if it's too low in feelings of not being able to breathe properly.

I need to be at school with my eldest in 30 minutes, and get lunchboxes ready etc. No idea what’s wrong, I’ve never had a panic attack before, I don’t know what it would feel like.

No, haven’t had my iron checked in a while. Probably low, being vegetarian!

A panic attack would feel exactly as you describe. Like everything is not quite real and you’re watching everything from a distance.

Worth getting your bloods done to be safe though

Go to your gp or a&e now. My husband had this recently and had en erratic heartbeat due to a chest infection. The same thing can happen if you've been drinking alcohol a lot. Def get it checked out ASAP.

Get an appointment with your GP for advice but what you are describing sounds like a classic panic attack. I used to get these a lot complete with unreality and tight chest . My body used to go cold all over and then burn all over (hot flashes) . It’s horrible but it’s not life threatening.

It sometimes occurs out of the blue so underlying stuff which you think you have a handle on comes to the surface. It can be so unconscious that you don’t even know it is a worry or is affectin you,

It does sound like an anxiety attack in which case careful slow breathing and distraction/focus on something safe and normal should make it subside. If it doesnt improve or if the feeling turns into any kind of pain call 111 (who will probably send an ambulance because the NHS doesnt mess around with any one who has even the slightest chance of a cardiac or breathing issue)

I don't mean to frighten you but this can be how a heart attack presents in women which is why it's often over looked.

It is most likely a panic attack but if it's the first time it's happened get checked out please just to be on the safe side.

Thanks everyone, I’ve phoned the doctor who’ll call me back this morning. Still no better, slightly more painful. Thanks for all your help

It sounds like a panic attack but i'd get checked out just to be on the safe side. They are very frightening.

Any update? What did the GP say?