Cardiophobia, severe, please help

Posted , 4 users are following.

Does anyone else here suffer from extreme health anxieties, esp. cardiophobia (fear about heart disease). It feels like I am dying slowly all the time from heart disease. I have been medically DX'd with severe GAD, PD, and cardiophobia. I have burning, pressure, squeezing, heart palps, etc in my chest. These are all sxs I have read about that are indicative of heart disease. My focus is always on my heart and chest. It started when I was 25 and now I am 59 so I have battled this over 30 years. Benzos did help in the beginning but now they are causing the very problem that they were prescribed to treat. I have become tolerant to valium and I wish I could desperately get off. The withdrawl is nothing short of a living hell. I am a member of a forum called benzobuddies. I wish I had never started these meds in my early 20s. When I inhale, it feels like there is resistance against my diaphragm (as it rises) pulling down. My chest pressure is there 24/7 (unless asleep), really bad since 2008. I would love to talk to anyone with a similar problem or similar sxs please. Thanks--

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Posted

    I do. I'm 31 and have been suffering from this kind of anxiety since 27. I also regret starting meds, as I am going through the withdrawal as well.

  • Posted

    I honestly feel the same. I started having racing heart every night which woke me up! Then i got put on a pronanolol and now occasionally get it maybe once a month. I honestly think ive got some heart problem and something bad is going to happen to me.

  • Posted

    I have been suffering this fear since November 2021, it first started when I had a sudden flutter in my stomach/chest after I had eaten, it was probably just wind but I panicked and linked the sensation to having a heart condition or about to have a heart attack. Ever since I have been having the sensation of feeling my heart beating in my upper left shoulder when I sit in certain positions, is it just posture? I am a relatively fit 44 year old man, love playing sports but I am now scared to despite having a clear ECG and bloods from my GP. Why do we put ourselves through this utter fear?

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.