i have had anxiety problems now for a few years

Hello and welcome to HealingWell.  It is a hard call to make as there are hundreds of symptoms that go with anxiety but many of these symptoms can also be caused by medical problems.

Have you been to your PCP for a medical screening exam to eliminate any other causes for your chest soreness?  Any recent sports injury or muscle problems ?

You may be experiencing what is known as nocturnal panic attacks. 

Anxiety attacks that take place while sleeping, called nocturnal panic attacks, occur less often than do panic attacks during the daytime, but affect about 40%-70% of those who suffer from daytime panic attacks. Nocturnal panic attacks tend to cause sufferers to wake suddenly from sleep in a state of sudden anxiety for no apparent reason and can have all the other symptoms of a panic attack. The duration of nocturnal panic attacks tends to be less than 10 minutes, but it can take much longer to fully calm down for those who experience them.

You may want to check out this sites:

Panic attack relief exercises:

http://www.healthyplace.com/

http://www.stress-relief-exercises.com/

http://www.ehow.com/video_4405003_breathing-exercises-panic-attacks.html

http://www.psybersquare.com/anxiety/panic_relax_I