My chest feels tight and burns for a few days now. Is it due to COVID-19?

Question

Hi doctor,

Is it possible to overexert yourself? My chest seems to be tight and burns a lot. I think that I have got asthma. I have had these feelings for a few days. I was feeling sick due to suspected covid-19 for a few weeks. After a few days, it was getting better. Then I overexerted myself by carrying heavy bags. After that, I started to experience intense tightness in my chest with shortness of breath. They were worse than before. Then I went to the doctor and he does not see anything wrong with my heart or lungs. He told me that it can occur due to stress and anxiety. He gave me Ativan. What is going on with me? Will these symptoms be caused due to stress and anxiety?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Your condition is similar to COVID-19 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). But you do not have any other symptoms like fever, loose nose, difficulty in breathing, cough, cold, and throat pain. You just have a breathing problem. Use the medications prescribed by your doctor. From today, start doing deep breathing exercises. At first, you will not be able to breathe deeply. But you can try to do it slowly for ten seconds. Then you can increase the count of breathing every minute. After a few minutes, hold your breath deeply for three to four seconds and then release. Increase your holding of breathing for up to twenty seconds. You need to go for regular walking with a bit of muscle-strengthening exercise. This will help you to gain confidence, health, and normal heartbeats. Sleep well. Eat healthily and avoid consuming alcohol.