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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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If you want to discuss your problems, pls text me on whatsapp on seven two seven eight nine two seven six three eight, i will guide you step by step.
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It does sound like you have ‘Primary Anxiety Disorder’.
You will benefit from CBT treatment via a Clinical Psychologist or a Psychiatrist.
All the best.
J G S R clinic.
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Need few more details for proper understanding of your issue.
You can consult with me online on Practo or whatsapp on eight three one eight four six nine eight eight six for proper diagnosis, conclusion and management
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If you want to discuss your problem in more detail, feel free to message me on WhatsApp at nine one one nine two five five six nine nine for a detailed free discussion
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Kindly consukt a psychiatrist
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you can take a review check up and get a repeat ecg .. better to take a cardiologist opinion
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Better consult a cardiologist for assessing yourcardiovascular condition..echo stresstest holter electrophysiological studies too are needed...rule out oesophageal gastric or respiratory issues..with psychotherapy....
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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cognition behaviour therapy from psychologist
and SSRI ( drug) escitalopram 10 mg daily at night .
not provided over the counter , get a proper prescription from your doctor.
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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
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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.
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Dr. Chaithra H
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
Do consult psychiatrist
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Dr. Ashita Kuruvilla
General Practitioner
8 yrs exp
Kolkata
Few more details needed for further evaluation. Kindly consult
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Dr. Ravi Kumar Nadella
General Physician
18 yrs exp
Hyderabad
Its due to stress
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Dr. Shaikh Huzaif
General Physician
20 yrs exp
Mumbai
Please consult
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Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Practitioner
7 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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Dr. Sachin Bhiwaji Sanap
General Practitioner
7 yrs exp
Hingoli
Continue the Antihypertensive medicine , Get the Thyroid profile , ECG done consult to physician for further evaluation
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Dr. Sumit Verma
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Kanpur
It can be bcoz of hyper activation of sympathetic system so you can take anti anxiety medicine along with anti hypertensive medicine
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Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
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Dr. Sajid Ali
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Kanpur
Anxiety disorder
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Dr. Suraj Sharma
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Jaipur
Do physical consultation
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Dr. Abhinav Tiwari
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Etawah
TMT
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Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.