I've been feeling pretty anxious ever since lockdown, and it's starting to show up physically. I've noticed I'm having some indigestion issues, like gastric problems or acidity. But what really worries me is this heaviness or dull ache above my left chest that sometimes comes with shoulder and muscle pain. It seems to get worse when I'm anxious or start thinking about my health, and then my heart just races like crazy. Even my oxygen levels are normal. I never had any of these problems before lockdown, so I'm trying to figure out what's going on. It occasionally makes me feel dizzy too. What could be causing this, and what should I do about it?

Dr Ibrahim Salah

General Practitioner

• MBBS
• 2+ Yrs

Consult Now

It sounds like you may be experiencing symptoms of anxiety and acid reflux, which can manifest as chest heaviness, left-sided chest pain, shoulder pain, muscle pain, and dizziness. The symptoms worsening when you think about your health could be due to heightened anxiety levels. It's good that you checked your oxygen levels and they were normal. To address the anxiety symptoms, you can try relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga. For the acid reflux symptoms, you can try over-the-counter antacids like Tums or Rolaids for immediate relief. Additionally, you may benefit from a proton pump inhibitor like omeprazole (Prilosec) or H2 blockers like ranitidine (Zantac) for longer-term management of acid reflux. However, given the chest pain and other symptoms you are experiencing, it is important to rule out any cardiac issues. I recommend seeking medical attention promptly to undergo a thorough evaluation, including an ECG and possibly further cardiac testing to ensure your symptoms are not related to any heart problems.

Answered 25/07/2025