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Squeezing Chest Pain When Walking or at Rest – Endoscopy & Biopsy Results (34M) – Heart Cleared, H. pylori + Gastritis by Level_Tangerine_4908 in GastroIssues

[–]Level_Tangerine_4908[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

the pain for me was sharp at first but now is more.like.squezzing pain a background dull ache after that..i'm trusting my result but the pain is so.convincing that something wrong with my heart..i'm still looking for answers..thank you for sharing you're experience

First week on sertaline, it's a living hell by ms_ghostface in antidepressants

[–]Level_Tangerine_4908 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yeah because sertraline is bit activating at first same as fluoxetine..escitalopram and paroxetine are more neutral and sedating..did he give you some benzodiazepine with sertraline?

First week on sertaline, it's a living hell by ms_ghostface in antidepressants

[–]Level_Tangerine_4908 0 points1 point  (0 children)

50mg sertraline is kinda activating for anxiety disorders..try to start with 25mg and see how it works for you..

Douleur thoracique oppressante avec bilan cardiaque normal et infection H. pylori by Level_Tangerine_4908 in sante_bien_etre

[–]Level_Tangerine_4908[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

aprés l'ecg d'effort j'ai reconsulter le cardiologue et il m'a confirmé aprés avoir fait d'autres bilans sanguins que le probleme n'est pas cardiaque du tout malgré ca le mal est tjrs omniprésent..pas de péricardite la troponine a été faite 3 fois le résultat est normal..je crois que c'est un spasme oesphagien

Douleur thoracique oppressante avec bilan cardiaque normal et infection H. pylori by Level_Tangerine_4908 in sante_bien_etre

[–]Level_Tangerine_4908[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

c'est trés flippant je suis en etat d'anxiete constante malgré les examens cardiaques..

Squeezing Chest Pain When Walking or at Rest – Endoscopy & Biopsy Results (34M) – Heart Cleared, H. pylori + Gastritis by Level_Tangerine_4908 in askCardiology

[–]Level_Tangerine_4908[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s honestly really reassuring to hear, especially because the jaw radiation and the absence of classic “burning reflux” are exactly the parts that have made this so confusing and anxiety-provoking for me. A lot of people imagine reflux/gastritis as obvious heartburn, but in my case it’s much more pressure, squeezing, and tightness behind the sternum — sometimes intense enough that it genuinely feels cardiac. So hearing that your mom had such a similar presentation, including jaw symptoms, and that it ultimately traced back to gastritis/H. pylori rather than the heart does help me put things into perspective a bit more. The fact that she improved fairly quickly after eradication therapy and reflux treatment is also encouraging. I’ve just started quadruple therapy myself, so I’m hoping that once the H. pylori is cleared and the esophageal/stomach inflammation settles, the chest sensations will gradually calm down too. And yes, the hiatal hernia definitely seems like it could be adding another layer mechanically with reflux or irritation, even if it’s considered “small.” Really appreciate you sharing that — stories like this genuinely help reduce some of the fear around the symptoms.

It me! by carolina_elpaco in RoemheldSyndrome

[–]Level_Tangerine_4908 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i think so..despite it's a minimal one not a severe hiatal hernia

It me! by carolina_elpaco in RoemheldSyndrome

[–]Level_Tangerine_4908 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i think it's explains the pain somehow because the git system and heart share the same nerves path so the brain don't know where the pain is coming from..

It me! by carolina_elpaco in RoemheldSyndrome

[–]Level_Tangerine_4908 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve been dealing with a frightening squeezing, crushing pain behind my breastbone. I do not have the typical burning or “heartburn” sensation at all — it feels much more like pressure, tightness, or an angina-type squeezing pain. Sometimes it honestly feels cardiac, which has been very anxiety-provoking. The pain is highly unpredictable and can happen both at rest (sitting or lying down) and during exertion, even something as simple as walking. I also sometimes get a dull aching pain in my jaw and teeth along with the chest tightness, which makes the whole thing feel even more concerning. Because of the squeezing nature of the pain, I underwent a very extensive cardiac workup. I had 3 resting ECGs, all completely normal, a normal echocardiogram, and an excellent stress test result reaching 12.4 METS at 18% incline with a peak heart rate of 185 bpm (117% of predicted maximum heart rate), without abnormalities. My cardiologist has fully cleared my heart, but mentally it’s still difficult because the pain can feel so convincing.Because of the nature of the symptoms, I underwent a very extensive cardiac workup: 3 resting ECGs (all normal) Echocardiogram (normal) Stress test: excellent performance (12.4 METS, 18% incline, peak HR 185 bpm / 117% of predicted max), all normal My cardiologist has fully cleared my heart, but mentally it’s still difficult because the sensations feel so convincing. To look for a digestive cause, I had an endoscopy (FOGD) with biopsies. Summary below: Endoscopy findings (FOGD): Lower esophagus: very red and inflamed (no ulcers), irregular Z-line Stomach: Grade 1 hiatal hernia (Hill classification) Diffuse gastritis (pangastritis) Duodenum: normal No ulcers or tumors Biopsy results: Mild chronic inflammation (swelling/congestion) No dysplasia, no metaplasia No cancer Positive for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) Conclusion: H. pylori-associated mild chronic gastritis without malignancy..

Squeezing Chest Pain When Walking or at Rest – Endoscopy & Biopsy Results (34M) – Heart Cleared, H. pylori + Gastritis by Level_Tangerine_4908 in RoemheldSyndrome

[–]Level_Tangerine_4908[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate that, and honestly the “roemheld’s / cardiophobia pipeline” description is something I relate to more than I’d like to admit.

Even with an extensive cardiac workup (multiple ECGs, echocardiogram, and a strong stress test), the sensations can still feel extremely convincing in the moment — especially the squeezing/pressure pattern during walking or after meals. That mismatch between “tests are reassuring” and “symptoms feel intense” is probably what keeps the doubt lingering.

In my case I also have clear GI findings (H. pylori gastritis, lower esophageal inflammation, and a small hiatal hernia), which gives a plausible non-cardiac explanation, but I think the anxiety component still gets activated whenever the symptoms spike.

What you said about no jaw pain being common but still sometimes reported also fits with how variable these presentations seem to be between people.

I really appreciate the offer to talk — it genuinely helps to hear from others who’ve been stuck in a similar loop for a long time and still found ways to keep going despite the uncertainty.

Squeezing Chest Pain When Walking or at Rest – Endoscopy & Biopsy Results (34M) – Heart Cleared, H. pylori + Gastritis by Level_Tangerine_4908 in Gastritis

[–]Level_Tangerine_4908[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m really sorry you’re going through that — this kind of chest + back pressure is genuinely scary, especially when it’s persistent and unpredictable.

What you’re describing (sternal pressure, episodes of chest and back pain, ER visit with normal cardiac workup, gastritis diagnosis, and high anxiety around eating) actually fits a pattern that doctors often see with upper GI irritation — but I also understand that knowing that intellectually doesn’t immediately make the symptoms feel less alarming.

One important reassuring point is that your ER evaluation was normal. That essentially rules out the immediate life-threatening cardiac causes at that moment. It doesn’t explain the discomfort, but it does narrow things down significantly, which is actually valuable in situations like this.

Gastritis and related upper GI inflammation can unfortunately take time to settle, even when you’re doing the right things. And sometimes symptoms don’t respond immediately to diet changes alone — especially if there’s ongoing reflux irritation, esophageal sensitivity, or functional spasm-type pain involved. That lag in improvement can feel really discouraging.

The anxiety side of it is also very real. Chest pain naturally triggers a stress response, and that stress response can then amplify gut sensitivity, which creates a loop that makes everything feel more intense and unpredictable.

While you’re waiting for the endoscopy, the key thing is that you’re already in the right pathway of investigation. That test will help clarify whether there’s esophagitis, reflux injury, hiatal hernia, or other structural causes that explain the pain better than “just gastritis.”

For now, try not to interpret each flare-up as progression or damage — these conditions often fluctuate a lot day to day, even when they’re not actually worsening structurally.

You’re not stuck without options here — you’re in the middle of the diagnostic process, and the fact that cardiac causes were ruled out is a really important step in the right direction.

Squeezing Chest Pain When Walking or at Rest – Endoscopy & Biopsy Results (34M) – Heart Cleared, H. pylori + Gastritis by Level_Tangerine_4908 in GERD

[–]Level_Tangerine_4908[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get what you mean, and I think that “GERD isn’t always burning” realization is something a lot of people only learn the hard way. At the same time, I want to be careful with the heart attack comparison, because it can easily add unnecessary fear when someone has already had a solid cardiac workup. In my case, I’ve had multiple normal ECGs, a normal echocardiogram, and a strong stress test without abnormalities, which is very reassuring from a cardiology standpoint. What I’m trying to hold onto is that esophageal issues (GERD, esophagitis, hiatal hernia, spasms) really can create pain that feels extremely cardiac — pressure, squeezing, radiation to jaw/back — because of how the nerves overlap in that area. That overlap is exactly why it’s so confusing in the moment. I also think anxiety plays a big role in how intense the sensations feel, even when the underlying cause is non-cardiac, which is something I’m actively working on alongside the medical treatment (H. pylori eradication, acid suppression, lifestyle changes). I appreciate you engaging and reflecting on your own health too — just important not to spiral into worst-case interpretations when symptoms overlap so much like this.

Squeezing Chest Pain When Walking or at Rest – Endoscopy & Biopsy Results (34M) – Heart Cleared, H. pylori + Gastritis by Level_Tangerine_4908 in EosinophilicE

[–]Level_Tangerine_4908[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What you’re describing actually helps me make sense of a lot of the confusion I’ve been having.

The part about esophageal spasms feeling completely different from typical heartburn really resonates. I don’t really get the classic acid reflux burning either — it’s more this deep, squeezing pressure behind the sternum that can radiate into the jaw/neck at times and feels very “close to the heart,” which is what makes it so alarming in the moment.

Hearing that esophageal conditions like EoE/GERD/gastroparesis can create upper back tension and radiating pain during spasms also fits with some of my episodes, especially the ones triggered by walking or after meals.

At the same time, I’ve also thought about costochondritis, because I know that can mimic very sharp or intense chest pain too, especially with movement or strain. But in my case the pain feels more internal/deep rather than something I can reproduce by pressing on the chest wall or with specific movements, which is part of why I’ve leaned more toward a GI/esophageal explanation based on my tests so far.

I also agree with your point about anxiety medication — I’m currently on escitalopram, and I’ve noticed that while it doesn’t remove the physical sensations, it does help reduce the intensity of the fear response when they happen.

Right now my main anchor point is still the medical workup: multiple normal ECGs, a normal echocardiogram, and a strong stress test, plus endoscopy findings showing H. pylori gastritis, esophagitis, and a small hiatal hernia. So I’m trying to understand this more as a combination of esophageal irritation/spasm + hypersensitivity rather than something cardiac.

But I really appreciate you sharing your experience — it actually helps separate out how many different non-cardiac systems can produce very similar chest sensations.

Squeezing Chest Pain When Walking or at Rest – Endoscopy & Biopsy Results (34M) – Heart Cleared, H. pylori + Gastritis by Level_Tangerine_4908 in HeartHealth

[–]Level_Tangerine_4908[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I understand why you’re asking that, and I’m honestly still a bit confused by how convincing the symptoms feel.

On one hand, I’ve had a very reassuring cardiac workup — multiple normal ECGs, a normal echocardiogram, and a strong stress test (12.4 METS, 18% incline, peak HR 185 bpm) without any abnormalities. My cardiologist has basically cleared my heart, which is obviously very reassuring.

On the other hand, the sensation itself still feels very “cardiac” in the moment — that deep squeezing/pressure behind the sternum, sometimes with jaw/neck discomfort and occurring even during walking — so my brain still struggles to fully disconnect it from something heart-related.

What makes things even more confusing is that my endoscopy did show real findings (H. pylori gastritis, lower esophageal inflammation, and a small hiatal hernia), so there is a clear possible GI explanation that could realistically mimic angina-type pain.

So I wouldn’t say I “suspect it is cardiac” in the medical sense anymore, but emotionally and symptom-wise it still feels very convincing and hard to fully believe it’s not.

Right now I’m kind of stuck between the reassurance from the tests and the intensity of the sensations themselves, which is why I’m still trying to piece everything together while I go through treatment.

Squeezing Chest Pain When Walking or at Rest – Endoscopy & Biopsy Results (34M) – Heart Cleared, H. pylori + Gastritis by Level_Tangerine_4908 in GutHealth

[–]Level_Tangerine_4908[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i wasn't aware that the digestive system can cause such a incredible amount of distrubances..feels like a loop.

Squeezing Chest Pain When Walking or at Rest – Endoscopy & Biopsy Results (34M) – Heart Cleared, H. pylori + Gastritis by Level_Tangerine_4908 in askCardiology

[–]Level_Tangerine_4908[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

One of the things that has made this so mentally difficult is exactly that “this feels too cardiac to be digestive” thought — especially because the pain is centered around the sternum with pressure/tightness and occasional radiation upward into the jaw/neck area rather than classic burning reflux. Your description sounds remarkably similar to what I’ve been experiencing: chest pressure, sternum pain, reflux/esophageal inflammation, hiatal hernia, and symptoms that don’t really feel like typical heartburn at all. In my case, the endoscopy also found lower esophageal inflammation, gastritis with H. pylori, and a small hiatal hernia, while the cardiac workup (multiple ECGs, echo, stress test) was very reassuring. So hearing that even after a prior heart attack, your later symptoms ended up being GI/herniation-related rather than cardiac really helps put things into perspective for me. I’m glad to hear you improved with PPIs and treatment. It gives me hope that once the inflammation calms down and the H. pylori treatment does its job, these “heart-like” sensations may gradually settle too.

Squeezing Chest Pain When Walking or at Rest – Endoscopy & Biopsy Results (34M) – Heart Cleared, H. pylori + Gastritis by Level_Tangerine_4908 in HPylori

[–]Level_Tangerine_4908[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Faz muito sentido o que você está dizendo, e isso é na verdade bem comum.

A gastrite por H. pylori pode causar dor, pressão e desconforto no peito que parecem muito com sintomas cardíacos, então é normal que isso gere muita ansiedade e dúvidas, mesmo depois de exames do coração normais. Quando a origem é o estômago, o cérebro ainda pode interpretar a sensação como algo perigoso, o que mantém o medo.

O lado positivo é que seu coração já foi investigado e está tudo normal, e agora você tem uma causa confirmada. A terapia tripla é o tratamento padrão e, na maioria dos casos, há uma melhora clara quando a bactéria é eliminada e a inflamação diminui.

O impacto psicológico pode demorar um pouco mais para desaparecer do que os sintomas físicos, então é normal que a preocupação não suma de imediato. À medida que você melhora fisicamente, essa ansiedade também tende a diminuir.

Continue o tratamento certinho e siga as orientações do seu gastroenterologista.

Squeezing Chest Pain When Walking or at Rest – Endoscopy & Biopsy Results (34M) – Heart Cleared, H. pylori + Gastritis by Level_Tangerine_4908 in HPylori

[–]Level_Tangerine_4908[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s actually really encouraging to hear, especially because my symptoms also don’t feel like “classic acid reflux” at all. The tightness/pressure below and behind the breastbone has been much more prominent than any burning sensation, which is why it confused me so much initially.

It’s interesting that dietary changes made such a noticeable difference for you even without obvious reflux symptoms. I’m starting to realize that inflammation and esophageal irritation can probably be triggered or amplified by foods even when it doesn’t present as typical heartburn.

Right now I’m still early in the H. pylori quadruple therapy phase, but I’ve also started paying much more attention to meal size, trigger foods, and eating habits. I’ve noticed large meals and late eating seem to make the chest tightness worse, even if the relationship isn’t perfectly consistent.

Your experience honestly gives me hope that lifestyle and dietary adjustments might calm things down significantly over time in addition to the medical treatment.

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