# What causes chest tightness when stressed?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-chest-tightness-when-stressed/844976>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 17, 2019, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-chest-tightness-when-stressed/844976 "2019-12-17T03:36:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Anny\_Middon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-chest-tightness-when-stressed/844976/21 "2019-12-18T23:39:24Z")

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I know this will sound weird, but – is it possible it’s gas? Sometimes I get pain and tightness in my chest, and belching does much to alleviate it.

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**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-chest-tightness-when-stressed/844976/22 "2019-12-18T23:42:43Z")

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> [@MichaelEmouse](#):
>
> When I breathe fully, there is some discomfort/pain.

Isn’t that pleurisy? If the pain is acute/sharp see a doctor asap, but if you just describe it as discomfort that may not be necessary (could just be that your muscles aren’t used to taking full breaths). During an annual visit, with a stethoscope, the doctor will ask you to take a deep breath and listens for the sounds of pleural lining from your lungs grinding against eachother (among other things).

~Max

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