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Chronic left chest pain for 5 years
I've left-sided chest pain for 5 years,radiating from abdomen to shoulder, armpit, and center chest. Also frontal headache, dizziness, facial/ear tingling, cold sweats, and high BP. Symptoms worsen with travel, stress, or thinking—causing uneasiness and persistent radiating pain that affects my quality of life.
2 years back, a GP prescribed Betaflu + Propanalol 40mg for 21 days; symptoms 80% resolved on meds but returned after stopping. ECG showed tachycardia but was otherwise normal. He diagnosed anxiety/panic attacks.
For the past 3–4 months, symptoms are worse than ever.
What should I do next?
Answers (26)
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ECG READ BY CARDIOLOGIST.TO RULE OUT CARDIAC CAUSE.
CHANGE LIFE STYLE N DIET PLAN DRASTICALLY FIRST.
NEXPRO RD40 ONE IN EMPTY STOMACH FOR TEN DAYS.
MEFTAL SPAS DS TWO TIMES A DAY AFTER FOOD FOR 5 DAYS.
MUCAIN GEL10 ML WITHOUT WATER NOTHING BY MOUTH TILL 30MIN CAN BE TAKEN 3TO4 TIMES.
NEXITO 10 ONE AT NIGHT FOR 7 DAYS.
ADV
CONSULT SUPERSPECIALIST LIKE PSYCHIATRIST
Answered
1/2 people found this helpful
Your symptoms seem to be due to anxiety. Get thyroid function tests done. Keep B.p controlled with life style measures and medicine.
Avoid stress, stay relaxed , do regular physical exercise, pranayam and meditation.
Answered
1/1 people found this helpful
Based on what you’ve described:
• 5 years of left-sided, radiating chest pain with normal ECG except tachycardia
• Symptoms worsen with stress, travel, and anticipation
• 80% improvement on propranolol + anti-anxiety medication, then relapse after stopping
• Associated dizziness, tingling, cold sweats, headache, BP spikes
Next Steps
1️⃣ Rule out remaining medical causes (one-time, properly)
If not already done in the last 12–18 months, get:
• Echocardiography (if never done)
• 24-hour Holter monitoring
• Basic labs: CBC, TSH, electrolytes, B12, Vitamin D
• BP monitoring (home or ambulatory)
This is not because heart disease is likely, but to close the diagnostic loop so anxiety treatment works better.
⸻
2️⃣ Shift from “temporary meds” to proper anxiety treatment
Taking propranolol for 21 days and stopping will always cause relapse.
You likely need:
• A low-dose SSRI/SNRI (e.g., escitalopram, sertraline) for 6–12 months
• Propranolol as support, not the main treatment
• Psychiatric consultation (not just GP)
Health Tips
• ❌ Stop checking pulse/BP repeatedly during symptoms
• ✔️ Practice slow diaphragmatic breathing (4-6 breaths/min)
• ✔️ Reduce caffeine, nicotine, energy drinks
• ✔️ Light daily exercise (walking > intense workouts)
• ✔️ Good sleep timing (very important for autonomic stability)
Go to ER immediately if
• Chest pain becomes crushing + lasts >20 min at rest
• Fainting / true weakness / slurred speech
• New severe breathlessness
Answered
2/2 people found this helpful
As I see your symptoms physical evaluation is necessary you should do ECG,THYROID PROFILE and blood pressure check up. If we rule out these causes we can proceed for further management. For further management kindly do consult online
Answered
2/2 people found this helpful
The pattern you’re describing is very unlikely to be a dangerous heart problem, especially given:
• Symptoms present for 5 years
• Normal ECG except tachycardia
• 80% improvement with propranolol
• Clear worsening with stress, travel, anticipation, and thoughts
That profile strongly points toward a functional / anxiety-related disorder, not structural heart disease.
Still, because your symptoms have worsened over the last 3–4 months, a systematic medical review is necessary—not because I suspect something serious, but to rule things out and give you confidence.
Next Steps
Get baseline investigations because ruling them out helps recovery:
• ECG (repeat) and send it to me
• 2D Echocardiography
• Thyroid profile (TSH)
• CBC, electrolytes
• Fasting sugar
• Vitamin B12
• Lipid profile
Get it done from the closest Government hospital for free or minimal cost avoiding unnecessary investigations
Health Tips
Restart symptom control
You already responded to treatment once.
• Propranolol (lower maintenance dose) may be restarted under supervision after consultation
• Avoid stopping abruptly this time
Send me the Labs and details once done
Dr Faizan Khan
MD Medicine
Contact me Nine four zero seven three eight seven three two one
Answered
2/2 people found this helpful
Based on everything you mentioned, it's inclined more towards ANXIETY itself or panic attacks as was correctly diagnosed.
Now how you deal with it is important for which it's better to connect with me or anyone who can understand you much better and suggest you relaxing tips, techniques and medications customized for you.
Would like to still have a look at the ECG though and keep a track of your vitals (Heart rate, BP, SpO2) twice a day for 3-5 days, then consult someone (or me) for further plan.
Next Steps
Would like to still have a look at the ECG though and keep a track of your vitals (Heart rate, BP, SpO2) twice a day for 3-5 days, then consult someone (or me) for further plan.
Health Tips
Get the ECG exactly when the pain is happening or TMT or Echo. But better take a second opinion as it definitely sounds Anxiety to me as well.
Answered
2/2 people found this helpful
Continue the Antihypertensive medicine , Get the Thyroid profile , ECG done consult to physician for further evaluation
Answered
1/1 people found this helpful
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