Serious heart worries, please help
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi I'm an 18 year old girl with serious concerns about my heart please help!
I get really bad symptoms
Pressure, squezzing, heavyness in my chest that shifts and changes during the day
I usually get arm, jaw, shoulder, back pain with it,sometimes on its own
But if my heart feels like it's being squeezed so does my arm
I feel so tired even with a good 9 hours sleep, and my whole body just feels so weak and I feel fluy eventho I have no flu. I'm certain I've got a heart problem. I've had about 10 ecgs, 3 echos (2d) a 24 hour heart monitor, blood tests and a chest x-ray. But my symptoms have got so much worse recently and when I do exercise my heart usually feels heavier. I know that all these symptoms could mean a future heart attack but all doctors say it's anxiety but how can anxiety cause such serious cardiac symptoms even when I'm relaxed. I think I've got a block in my heart they haven't picked up, I read a story about a 17 year old girl with heart block, and all my symptoms match heart block. I know sometimes doctors can miss things, these symptoms r so horrible I don't know what to do.
0 likes, 8 replies
jan34534 alice_06284
Posted
Alice, I'm sorry you are feeling scared. I know it must be terrifying for you.
but remember, you had numerous tests . Doctors know what to look for and the tests would have shown something serious. Your heart is fine.
I have had the same symptoms and it was all due to anxiety and stress. I had them in my twenties and now I am in my fifties and I am still here!
You are not destined to have a heart attack, you have anxiety and fear.
ANY symptom related to anxiety cannot hurt you! It cannot hurt your heart or anything else! It can feel scary and weird but that's all it can do.
you see, when you are anxious, your brain sends out a hormone called adrenaline that can cause symptoms like rapid heart rate, pressure, and many more.
So to calm down your symptoms, you need to calm down your brain.
You would benefit from listening to meditations on you tube for anxiety and breathing techniques. They totally calm me down mentally and physically.Listen to one called "Mindfulness meditation for relaxation " to start with. There are many others to choose from. Just search for Guided Meditations for Anxiety.
Also, listen to "10 minute breath meditation" Very important
You will be fine! One day at a time.
be good to yourself
smile and laugh
walk in nature
do things you enjoy
Do Not sit and think about anxiety, it will just get worse
stay active
We are here for you!! 🌸🌸🌸😁??
alice_06284 jan34534
Posted
Thx so much for taking the time to respond to me, I try so hard to believe it's anxiety and have been told it so many times, but I get the symptoms all the time even when I'm not anxious at all, they don't go away it's horrible, right now I have squezzing in my chest and burning in my arms, shoulders and chest, I don't know how it can be anxiety.
danielle93445 jan34534
Posted
allison1984 alice_06284
Posted
Hi
Sorry your so anxious do you suffer health anxiety ?
I do and one of my fears was always centered around my heart , like you i have had so many years done by your age im now 33 .
I know its so hard but you need to try your hardest to believe the doctors and the tests your had , your heart is healthy.
Anxiety causes so many symptoms , even when i feel relaxed i can have feeling a of anxiety its so strange .
Do you excersise?
I find a long walk makes me feel better when im very anxious being out in nature is great.
Have you tried therapy for these fears ?
I'm alot better with my heart fears then a few years ago , but if my heart beats funny or fast i do still get over aware of it , which is my health anxiety type of way .
It's very hard to ignore these thoughts i know and i feel that health anxiety or ocd is terrible to deal with but you can get well again .
Good luck i hope you get in a better place
alice_06284 allison1984
Posted
Thx so much for your response, I do like exercising but my heart symptoms usually get worse when I exercise and I feel so weak all the time😥 I have had some therapy but nothing gets rid of these horrible symptoms
steven47549 alice_06284
Posted
Trust me, as someone who has been in your shoes, and currently is having similar issues, anxiety can definitely cause everything you're experiencing. The most important thing is that you've had testing done that precludes any sort of heart problem. I mean, the probability that an 18-year-old girl, who has had every major cardiac test done, has an awful heart problem is basically nonexistent.
My anxiety was managed best when I accepted that it was anxiety. I'm currently back to questioning if my problems really are anxiety, but like you, I've had a multitude of tests done.
Try to take solace in the fact you've been tested. The 17-year-old girl you read about is an anomaly and I can bet you she didn't have all the tests done that have, otherwise an issue would've been detected. It's also good to avoid reading about such stories, because they only give our anxiety more material to work with.
Most importantly, anxiety can 100% cause every symptom you're experiencing. It's well documented. I know it's not easy to accept, but you wouldn't believe the ways in which anxiety can manifest. I know it feels "real", and like it's a physical problem, but all you can do is accept the diagnosis and seek therapy if you have that option. A good mental health professional might really benefit you. These types of worries become obsessions for us, and our bodies respond in alarming ways, but anxiety is the root cause.
I'm afraid to exercise oftentimes because of the same reason you listed. Rationally, I know it's my fear and anticipation of symptoms that causes me to feel that way when I work out. You mentioned being relaxed and experiencing symptoms, but the truth is your brain is likely stuck in a repetitive feedback loop of obsessive worry that is going to continue to manifest until you find a way to break it. Cognitive behavioral therapy might be something you want to look into. Once the physical has been ruled out, it's generally time to address the psychological component.
I hope you feel better soon!
alice_06284 steven47549
Posted
Thx so much for your reply, I try so hard to believe it's anxiety but the symptoms r so bad I go 'well there must be something wrong and the tests can't pick up problems with my arteries so it must be that' ive made my self believe I have a congential issue with my arteries because I read that some sudden deaths in young adults can be due to that. I've got to stop reading things but it's so hard, good luck with your struggles aswell and thx again for taking the time to respond
steven47549 alice_06284
Posted
No problem, you remind me a lot of myself with your way of thinking. Once I have a test that rules out one thing, I'll think of other problems that the test could've missed. I think this is how a lot of us think on here, it does turn into a never-ended cycle. Chances are if your arteries were specifically checked and found to be normal, you'd think of something else that could be wrong, I know that's how I think.