Yes, definitely make an appointmet with your doctor and ask about
the treatment options that are availabe to you. Therapy and medication are both helpful and could be something that you will want to try.
In the meantime, here are some self-help ideas...the Divided Breath is my favorite and has helped me the most.:)
http://www.ehow.com/video_4405003_breathing-exercises-panic-attacks.html
Okay, my favorite is this one, it takes some practice though. When I first started, I could hardly do one!
The Divided Breath:
Imagine your lungs as having 3 parts. The bottome third, the middle, and top third. On the inhale fill the bottom third first, then the middle and finally the third. Make sure that this is one continuous breath, but divided, with a slight pause in between each third. Hold the breath in for 3-5 seconds if possible. Exhale in reverse. First blow out the top third, then the middle, and finally the bottom third of your lungs until all air is expelled. (remember the pauses) Repeat several rounds for a toatal of about 10 minutes. Practicing this every day will not only give you control and structure to your breathing, it will strengthen and loosen the thoractic muscles, allowing better, more productive breathing, and relieving the chest tightness!
Good luck, and remeber pracitce everyday whether your stressed or not, that way when anxiety really shows up you'll be ready:)
Scaredy Cat