really worried

Hi,
I am 27 years old , and over the past three months my health has gone downhill. Work has been extemley stessful. I have lost twenty pounds over these three months. For awhile I couldn't eat anything. Now I am eating several mini meals a day. I am no longer stressed (even quit my job) But over the past two months my heart has been skipping beats, I burp constantly, Constant tightness in my chest (like someone shoved a sock in it) dry cough, some nausea. When the tightness is the worst it causes palpations. I never feel well anymore. I have an event monitor on, but so far nothing has shown up. went to my doctor, and she thinks it could be acid reflux. Can acid reflux cause all these problems? I do not smoke or drink. I exercise three times a week, and eat healthy. Could this be heart disease?   Thanks

[Darcy Green Conaway, MD]

To start, at 27 years of age and being a female you are at extremely low risk of having coronary artery disease (blockages in the arteries that causes heart attacks). Acid reflux can cause this but I don't recommend just ending it there..I think you need to have a discussion with your primary physician about all of your symptoms and consider other possibilities: depression, panic attacks. The sensation of skipping beats is very common-- usually I do an echocardiogram and a 24 hour event monitor.If those are normal, usually there is no further evaluation warranted. I do think the weight loss is concerning and would recommend thyroid function studies. Hope you feel better