Is shortness of breath and chest pain associated with anxiety?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a female on Prednisone 40 mg and vitamin C 2.5 g for the past five days. I have just woken up feeling short of breath and chest pain. I checked my blood pressure, and it was 120/80 mmHg and my heart rate was in the 50s. My blood pressure will be usually 110/65 mmHg, and my heart rate is usually pushing the high 90s. I do have anxiety, so I feel like I am just overthinking it and making myself have these symptoms. Every time I go to the ER, they always tell me my vitals look fine and it is just my anxiety.

Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I see no reason for you to worry. For your weight, heart rate in the range of 50s and blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg is not much of a concern, except if it begins to drop below this or you start to feel like fainting. I think your biggest problem is psychological instability. Although there have been some reports of patients using Prednisolone to have cardiovascular disturbances like bradycardia, syncope, tachycardia, etc., I do not think it is the issue in your case. What have you done regarding your anxiety? Have you got any issues recently, that are causing you anxiety? Consult your psychiatrist for anxiety.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.