Anxiety or heart trouble?

Posted , 4 users are following.

Hello everyone!

Feel a bit silly posting here, but I would like to get peoples opinions.

I'm a twenty six year old female, with no current major health problems that I'm aware of (except for slightly high blood pressure!), but for the past few weeks I've been getting increasingly anxious about my health, to the point where I struggle to sleep for fear that something terrible will happen to me while doing so.

I've been getting period numbness/shooting pains through my left arm, and a certain discomfort in my chest, and have called an ambulance out twice. On both occasions they performed an ECG, which confirmed my heart was fine. On one of those occasions I also went to hospital, where they did an X Ray, blood test etc. all of which also confirmed my health.

I've had similar symptoms today; slight pain in left arm, a pressure on my chest, and a sort of acid/tightness in my throat. These symptoms are never constant, but come and go.

My question is that does this sound like anxiety disorder or something more serious? I'm planning to visit the doctors this week.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated smile

Thanks!

Helen

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Posted

    Hey,

    Those were actually my very first symptoms until full blown panic sunk in. The left hand numbness still lingers to this day but subsides a bit after deep relaxation. If the ER couldnt find anything wrong then you know its anxiety. You can see a doctor for reassurance but try to relax. It took me ten years to really get a true understanding of anxiety and how it works.

    • Posted

      The feeling comes and goes.

      I would say that my chest always sort of feels 'tight', but most of the the time I don't have the arm pain etc. Sometimes the chest feeling gets worse, more like pressure, but its never really actual pain.

      Earlier I had a shooting pain through my arm, but it went very quickly.

      When I went to the hospital (this was at the start of November) I had an all manner of tests done, and nothing was found. When I had the second ambulance called (about three weeks ago), they did an ECG, blood sugar test, and blood pressure test and again found nothing. They did suggest it might be an anxiety issue though, and recommended I see a doctor.

      It's horrible because I can't stop worrying that it's something more serious, but your words have helped smile

    • Posted

      Yep sounds like anxiety. I have had it for a while and it can get worse if you don't accept that it is or don't do anything to feel better. Fortunately it can be treated/cured, that's my hope anyway.  Try meditation and exercise if you are still feeling really bad. 
    • Posted

      Thanks so much for words.

      I should probably put into context that this year hasn't been great. Among other things I lost my step dad (to a heart attack, when he was only 49), split up with my long term boyfriend, had to leave our home, and have changed jobs. I'm also now not talking to my mother. Can anxiety be brought on by circumstance?

      It's always a fear that I'm going to go to sleep and not wake up. Will definitely get to the doctors this week though, and am planning to get myself back to the gym!

    • Posted

      I am not a therapist but I can bet your anxiety is from those stressors you've mentioned. I would consider it normal for your body to react negatively to those things. Sorry for your loss. The best thing you can do is keep healthy and positive. I think it takes time to feel better. I'm sure you will soon..
    • Posted

      Thanks! My step dad passed over six months ago, but as he died so young from a heart attack I guess it's just hit me how much I fear the same happening to me.

      How long did it take you until you stopped worrying?

    • Posted

      Six months wasnt long ago so I can see why you still have these issues especially if you fear the same thing will happen to you. You can challenge your worry but I think it takes time. You wont die young either considering doctors find nothing wrong with you and especially if you eat well and exercise. You can see a cardiologist if you really need to put that worry to rest. My story is a bit different but Ive been doing better. Im confident that this all has to do with worry, but unfortunately for me its a tough challenge. My anxiety occured three days after surgery but it took me years to figure out this was anxiety. There was no doctors telling at that time what I was experiencing. Knowledge of this is half the battle.
  • Posted

    Hey yes i have those same symtoms and they can get worse. This weekend I have been having the numbness and tingling n chest discomfort n it can come n radiate from both sides. I have really bad headaches n i was put on klonopin n it was helping but i had company n someone stole my meficine so my symptoms are back in full affect!!! Anxiety can be really bad and different for each person..

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