Health anxiety back after my dad had a heart attack last week
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi all! I've posted a few times on other people's discussions but this the first one I've ever started. Okay, so here it goes:
I've suffered from health anxiety for as long as I can remember. I was born with a congenital heart defect and had surgery at 2 weeks old. My aorta was too narrow. Haven't had a problem with my heart since. I go for checkups onc a year (my last one was just in September). I also went to the ER in June because I was scared there was something wrong with my heart. They did a CT scan with contrast and tons of blood tests and everything came back fine. Shortly after that I convinced myself that I had a brain tumor (that lasted approximately 5 months). I finally got over that and was doing quite well until this past week. My dad went in for surgery on his carotid artery, the day he was supposed to leave the hospital he had a heart attack. They went in and put stents in. Just found out now he has congestive heart failure. Well, ever since this has happened my health anxiety has skyrocketed! Now I'm focused on my heart again. Every little beat. I've been getting chest pains on and off, shortness of breath and a burning sensation in my chest as I'm writing this! Ah it's just so frustrating! I know, because of my history of severe health anxiety, that this is probably just another case of it. And I also know that I have yearly heart checkups and even had an extra one in June that they would've caught something back then.......because things like this are usually slow progressing. Anyways, im sorry for rambling 😊 But anyone else get this way from time to time? Oh, and is there anyone else who has health anxiety related to a medical problem that they've been diagnosed with? Thanks guys!
0 likes, 4 replies
Anxious_Nick emily35507
Posted
Hey Emily.
This is a common fear for people with anxiety. For me, it started with my heart actually. And from time to time my worries will return to having heart issues. It's a weird and scary thing. But you have to trust that your medical exams were correct. All those tests would have shown if something was amiss. The doctors these days are very good at detecting this sort of stuff. They do it every single day. So try to take comfort in the fact that you're physically quite fine; it's just your mind that is playing tricks on you.
Whenever you start to panic, try to simmer down a bit. Have a cup of tea or just take a couple of deep breaths. It'll pass in time. Therapy and medication can be helpful to you, but I also really recommend exercise. It'll help get the jitters out of your system.
Best wishes Emily !
emily35507 Anxious_Nick
Posted
Thank you for replying, Nick! I was was actually considering getting back into yoga, especially after this last episode of anxiety. This cycle is so vicious, as soon as I think I'm doing better it hits me all over again. As I'm sure is the same way with most people who have any kind of anxiety disorder. And the fear that comes with health anxiety is so overwhelming, it's hard to get most people to understand.
aria07018 Anxious_Nick
Posted
Hi Nick! I'm going thru the same in the past two years with heart anxiety! I've done a lot of test like blood work ekg ultrasound of Heart, stres test holter monitor nothing was found despite a little bit high hr! But I'm
Having chest pain everyday spreading in shoulder and left arm! This drives me nuts I've seen 3 cardiologist several time to er and they don't have any answer for me!im just sceard that I'm going to have an sudden heart atack! How are your heart anxiety simptoms?! Any advice what to do about it? Thank you in advance
Anxious_Nick aria07018
Posted
Hey Aria.
Yes, many AD sufferers seem to obsess over their heart. It is quite common. And even after lots of tests, people will still worry. Therapy can help you learn ways of changing your thinking so that you don't panic when your fears start to flare up. Some days we might get chest tightness; other days we may have a palpitation or two. But if you've been cleared by the doctors, then you're going to be just fine. Say that to yourself over and over again. I promise it'll work out.
Best