Hi. I am 51 years old, 5 feet 4 and 195 lbs. I have been sick with what I believe to be a cold. Today I am having a tightness in the center of my chest and a cough. My cough is not productive. I thought that I was feeling better then this came on suddenly. I don t know if I should go to the dr or not.
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. Since your age is more than 50 years., we should first rule out cardiac cause for your central chest tightness. So get done ECG to rule out cardiac cause. If ECG is normal than HERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) can be the cause. Cough and central chest tightness can be seen in HERD due to acid reflux in esophagus. It is due to laxity of gastroesophageal sphincter. So start proton pump inhibitor for HERD. Central chest tightness is less common in cold. So control of HERD is needed in your case. Consult doctor and discuss all these. You may require antihistamine too. Avoid smoking and alcohol if you have these habits. Lifestyle modifications like avoid large meals, avoid hot and spicy food, avoid stress and tension etc. are needed for better control of HERD.