I've been getting these muscle pains that feel just like a heart attack, but every time, it's diagnosed as acidity. This has been happening for six years now. And in the last two years, I've started having panic attacks that again feel like I'm having a heart attack. I've done stress tests and an echo test, and fortunately, they turned out fine. I've also had gastroscopy done twice. What could be causing these symptoms? Could it just be stress or something else? I'm really looking for some guidance on what steps to take next.

Dr Anshul Maheshwari

General Practitioner

• MBBS
• 5+ Yrs

Consult Now

It sounds like you may be experiencing musculoskeletal pain that is mimicking heart attack symptoms, along with acidity symptoms and panic attacks. Since your stress test, echo test, and gastroscopy have all come back normal, it is reassuring that there are no major cardiac or gastrointestinal issues. For the muscle pains, you can try taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Additionally, you may benefit from muscle relaxants such as Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) to help with the muscle pain. For acidity symptoms, you can try antacids such as Tums or Rolaids to help with heartburn and indigestion. For panic attacks, you may benefit from anti-anxiety medications such as Xanax (alprazolam) or Ativan (lorazepam) as needed to help manage the symptoms. It is also important to practice stress-reducing techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, and regular exercise to help manage both the muscle pains and panic attacks. If the symptoms persist or worsen, it is important to follow up with your healthcare provider for further evaluation and management.

Answered 04/07/2025