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Constant Head Pressure and Chest tightness. Please help.

Hi,

I have constant head pressure and chest tightness 24/7/365 atleast for the last 15 years.
I went to Cardiologist, and Gastroenterologist but they were clueless. They conducted tests like 24 hr Holter Monitor test, Upper Endoscopy, Gastric Motility Disorder test, and Abdominal Ultrasound but all the tests were normal. I also used medication for stress/anxiety but it didn't give any relief.

Eating/drinking and exercise worsen the symptoms.

It has been driving me crazy for so many years that I am finally begining to think that it is not worth living any more.

Does anybody experience head pressure and chest tightness together all the time?

Please help.

17 Responses
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Avatar universal
I remember having the same symptoms the last four years of my life I was having shortness of breath and tightness in my chest I went to the hospital two times because of the panic attack that I am going to die now , then in the 19 of July 2018 I experienced my first symptoms of head pressure its very bad and almost out of control I have this feeling in my back of my head that something really heavy pulling my head especially when I am trying to sleep in the night its constant and unchangeable, along that I have this tightness in my throat and mucus inside, I really have no clue what's wrong with me I thought its wisdom teeth problem and I schedule an appointment to remove it , I went to family medicine doctors and they said I may have a sinus headache am tired of reading my symptoms on the internet and I am really scared that I won't be able to feel normal again  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have some of these symptoms as well. i am 24 and when i was about 7  i had an episode where i suddenly felt drowsy and light headed and my father caught me as i fainted.i lost all color and was pale, but by the time they rushed me to the hospital my color had started to come back and i was fine.my whole life i have had these weird fatigue lightheaded spells. i noticed when i was in my early 20s that when i would drink or smoke and would try to cook and be in a hot kitchen i would almost pass out and have to take a seat.i have been to a heart doctor but no one has ever given me any answers.lately i have been dealing with a lot of symptoms of gerd.now i have been getting then really irritable eye headache where my ear feels like i have an ear infection and also a tingling feeling that doesnt last long from the side of my throat down to the collar bone.the scariest symptom i have been experiencing is this weird stuffy headache that feels like a sinus headache but it is not.i feel so much pressure all of my head.this time it started with pressure in my chest that radiated up to my head for about 5 seconds (scariest crap every) then it ended and not i have this pressure headache that doesnt to much hurt but makes me feel anxious or just not clear minded or totally aware or here.idk its very weird
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Avatar universal
i have mild pain in top center of my head that goes from light pain to burning numbing and tightening. no meds have helped. what can cause this?
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Avatar universal
Hi! I am also suffering the same symptoms. Every day when I wake up it starts and then eventually it will stop.. then come again repeatedly up to 1-2 hrs. I feel like dying nearly a heart attack or stroke like my head is going to blow of my jaws are going to crack then its very hard to breathe. maybe lasts for 10-15 seconds each time. I'm a bit worried too because I am overweight. it mostly happens when I i am going to sleep at night and when I wake up in the morning. Some in between but not as crucial when bed time and going up.
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Avatar universal
I agree with obee33. I've had similar symptoms as all of you - head pressure, chest tightness, shortness of breath (sometimes), tingling. I went through all the tests and all found nothing. It's stress from your lifestyle, job, relationships etc. and the only way to deal with it is know your triggers and try exercising, yoga, good sleeping habits and most importantly, be positive and happy!
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Avatar universal
You are suffering from anxiety. Do at least 30minutes of yoga evry mornin, try to meditate for at least 30minutes twice evryday, eat a lot of vegetables, fruits, eggs. Take a quick run at least thrice a week, drink a lot of water, and always breathe in deeply from your stomach and not your chest. I started havin anxiety 2months ago and now am fine. I wish u goodluck. And most importantlyn try to relax and understnd dat its just symptoms of anxiety and u won't die. Relaxation is the most important here. Rest a lot, watch comedies, do things that make u happy. And stay away from stress. I assure u u wil bounce back to normal in no time.avoid cofee and alcohol.  Cheers!
Helpful - 0
1033224 tn?1272038200
I, too, experience the feelings of unreality and depression, as well as the vertigo and heartburn. I wish it would go away, as it's all very frightening and distressing. I don't know how old all of you are, but I'm only nineteen, and all of these symptoms have gotten in the way of me finding a job and finishing my education. It's a struggle to get through every day, not knowing if this is life-threatening or if it will ever leave me alone.
Helpful - 0
1033224 tn?1272038200
I also frequently experience the facial numbness and tingling, almost like the upper part of my skull has fallen asleep. It also occasionally comes with weakness in my extremities. I have been scared for months and have searched the internet for months to no avail. It seems many people out there are dealing with these symptoms, only to be eventually told by doctors that "it's anxiety," which I believe is untrue.
Hopefully someday we'll feel normal again.
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi Treena,
How are you? Were you able to go to your acupuncture physician? It is good that you were cleared by your ENT. What other tests were done? Can you elaborate on the chest tightness?  It is important that you rule out any cardiac cause. Hang on and do not be scared. Continue your medications and it may take time before resolution of symptoms. Take care and do keep us posted.
Helpful - 0
1283391 tn?1271517988
Hello, I have been experiencing the same symtoms for a couple months now. I feel like I am losing my mind. I have head pressure which feels like sinus but I have been to an ENT and he told me I have no sinus infection. I just saw a neurologist this week and he said he thinks I am experiencing all these symptoms because I have diabestes. Along with the head pressure I also get chest pressure, shoulder & neck pressure also tingling in my face and tongue which is rather scary. I've been put on medicine but I have not seen a difference yet. I don't know how much more I can take I am miserable most of the time. I do have an appointment with a acupucture physician this week she came highly recommended.

Treena
Helpful - 0
1033224 tn?1272038200
I have all of the exact same symptoms, but at the moment I can do nothing about them as I cannot afford health insurance.
If anyone has any activities (like laying down or taking a bath) that helps to at least dull the head pressure and breathing problems, please share, as I can do nothing about them, it seems.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello,

I have had head pressure and chest tightness(plus stuffy nose) for the last 6 months. This is the first time this has ever happened. My doctor says it may be the side effects of some cortisteroids I took earlier in the year, but cannot be sure. My lungs have normal function, but I feel out of breath while my head has pressure. The head pressure subsides sometimes and the the chest tightness goes and my nose clears. They immediately return when my head pressure increases again. Interesting to see what other people think may be the cause.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi all,

Thank you very much for your support and suggestions.

I went to see neurologist last Monday and he said that my symptoms could be happening because of decreased blood flow to my brain. He asked me to try klonopin .5 mg each night. I have tried it for 5 days and the good news is that my symptoms are almost disappearing. Of course it is still need to be investigated the cause of decreased blood flow to the brain but for time being I have so much relief. I am able to eat normally. I am free from chest tightness and head pressure.  Hope this may help anyone out there suffering with the same problem.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Rob,

Sorry that you are going through all this. You have more symptoms. I hope that your PCP is further investigating into your symptoms.


So far I didn't see a neurologist. I am going to one this coming Monday. I will keep you informed about any development.

Please let me know what you want to talk about.





Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My symptoms:

constant pressure in my head (the front)
stiffness in my forehead (raising the eyebrows)
stiffness in eye movement (left and right)
constantly blocked nose
constant chest discomfort/pressure/heaviness/whatever you want to call it
occasional skipped heartbeats
heartburn
vertigo
inflammation in my upper GI, on and off
symptoms which seem to alternate between a lightheaded/buzzing feeling in my head to feelings of unreality to feelings of severe depression

tests i've had over 4 years:

multiple brain scans of all types
nuclear stress test
abdominal and pelvic CT
upper and lower GI endoscopies
Coronary artery CT scan
30 day cardiac monitor
many, many blood tests including Lyme disease, Lupus, blood clotting tests, and routine chemistry/CBC many times
multiple EKG's
multiple chest xrays (could not convince anyone to order chest CT)
Barium swallow xrays

The list goes on
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I would like to talk to you more extensively, pelonis... get back to me please
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Avatar universal
YES I have had pressure in my head constantly for 4 year,  and pressure/tightness in my upper middle chest for 2 years!
Helpful - 0
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