Aa
Anxiety or physical?
Um, I've had panic attacks for about half a year. Then the panic attacks stopped when I read that they can't hurt me.
About a couple weeks of not having any panic attacks (only some anxiety every now and then, but otherwise feeling good), I've started having scary heart-related symtoms.
Symtoms include, palpitations at almost any given time/situation, heart racing, skipped beats (with very rapid beats afterwards), pressure in the chest and probably some other ones I'm forgetting about. Oh yeah also the reason I'm writing: I had chest pains to day... On the left side of the chest... Like what you have in a heart attack...
I'm 19 years old, not over-weight but I'm not in a good physical condition.
It'll take time before I get to meet a doctor or psychologist, so I'm hoping someone could tell me if I'm in danger or what... My mom says the skipped heart beats is nothing, and same thing about the chest pain... I've been in an EKG about half a year ago, and they said my heart was fine, but I don't know if it can get bad in half a year...
All of this is giving me a lot of anxiety and makes it hard for me to concentrate and being home alone can feel very daunting. Also I can't get any sleep because of racy pulse and palpitations, and I can't stop thinking of my heart/pulse and get very anxious. Also I often am afraid that I'll have a heart attack.
So I'm just wondering, what's going on, and can any of this be dangerous for me? Especially the chest pain is the scariest symptom so far...
About a couple weeks of not having any panic attacks (only some anxiety every now and then, but otherwise feeling good), I've started having scary heart-related symtoms.
Symtoms include, palpitations at almost any given time/situation, heart racing, skipped beats (with very rapid beats afterwards), pressure in the chest and probably some other ones I'm forgetting about. Oh yeah also the reason I'm writing: I had chest pains to day... On the left side of the chest... Like what you have in a heart attack...
I'm 19 years old, not over-weight but I'm not in a good physical condition.
It'll take time before I get to meet a doctor or psychologist, so I'm hoping someone could tell me if I'm in danger or what... My mom says the skipped heart beats is nothing, and same thing about the chest pain... I've been in an EKG about half a year ago, and they said my heart was fine, but I don't know if it can get bad in half a year...
All of this is giving me a lot of anxiety and makes it hard for me to concentrate and being home alone can feel very daunting. Also I can't get any sleep because of racy pulse and palpitations, and I can't stop thinking of my heart/pulse and get very anxious. Also I often am afraid that I'll have a heart attack.
So I'm just wondering, what's going on, and can any of this be dangerous for me? Especially the chest pain is the scariest symptom so far...
Haha yeah, I'll be able to live like normal...
I'll you updated about how the drugs work out, and all.
I'll you updated about how the drugs work out, and all.
Hello...
Thanks for keeping us updated! That is great news...So in just over 2 weeks time, you were able to work through major anxiety issues over the state of your heart. You had your appt. which I'm sure put your worries to rest (I hope). now have a game plan:)
Feeling optimistic about what you have to do now is a great attitude to have! This is teriffic and I am so happy that we were able to help you over a hurdle and equally happy that you feel that we helped you get there!
Continue to let us know how you are progressing:D
Thanks for keeping us updated! That is great news...So in just over 2 weeks time, you were able to work through major anxiety issues over the state of your heart. You had your appt. which I'm sure put your worries to rest (I hope). now have a game plan:)
Feeling optimistic about what you have to do now is a great attitude to have! This is teriffic and I am so happy that we were able to help you over a hurdle and equally happy that you feel that we helped you get there!
Continue to let us know how you are progressing:D
Hiya again!
Um Brooke said I should keep in touch, so that's what I'm doing.
Had a meeting with a doctor today, and it went pretty well.
There was a huge contrast between this doctor and the one I had the last time. The one I met half a year ago didn't really take me very seriously, I felt... This one asked a lot of questions, and was pretty kind about it.
Anyhow, she took an EKG and prescribed me with some sleeping pills and beta blockers that are supposed to decrease my heart rate.
She'll call me about the EKG on Friday.
So lessee how everything works out. I'm feeling optimistic, but it seems that the anxiety is something I'll have to learn to live with.
Thanx for your support MedHelp Community!
Um Brooke said I should keep in touch, so that's what I'm doing.
Had a meeting with a doctor today, and it went pretty well.
There was a huge contrast between this doctor and the one I had the last time. The one I met half a year ago didn't really take me very seriously, I felt... This one asked a lot of questions, and was pretty kind about it.
Anyhow, she took an EKG and prescribed me with some sleeping pills and beta blockers that are supposed to decrease my heart rate.
She'll call me about the EKG on Friday.
So lessee how everything works out. I'm feeling optimistic, but it seems that the anxiety is something I'll have to learn to live with.
Thanx for your support MedHelp Community!
Hi, thank you for the support.
The reason I thought something was wrong was that I stopped having actual panic attacks, but now I see that all of my symptoms really were caused by my anxiety...
But like you said, it's hard to stop a panic attack and the anxiety involved. So I guess I've just started to react the same way to every little stressor or scary thought...
I just need some way of controlling the anxiety... And yeah, reading at night has helped me sometimes. Wont get the Hobbit, but I might start reading LOTR. The series has been wasting away in my shelf for too long...
Ok, I'll do some research on this Pilates guy.
Thanx
-HeartFright
The reason I thought something was wrong was that I stopped having actual panic attacks, but now I see that all of my symptoms really were caused by my anxiety...
But like you said, it's hard to stop a panic attack and the anxiety involved. So I guess I've just started to react the same way to every little stressor or scary thought...
I just need some way of controlling the anxiety... And yeah, reading at night has helped me sometimes. Wont get the Hobbit, but I might start reading LOTR. The series has been wasting away in my shelf for too long...
Ok, I'll do some research on this Pilates guy.
Thanx
-HeartFright
Hi,
It sounds as tho you are having panic attacks and the more you think about them the worse it gets cos you are stressing yourself out.
It is hard to stop panic attacks but just knowing what the problem is can help you to stop worrying.You are imagining all sorts of reasons for how you feel and then focusing on it and then making it worse. Thinking about things really can make you sick.
Instead of looking up sickness Try looking up Pilates on the web,this guy 'Pilates' was sick his whole childhood and found that mind over matter really can work to heal your own body.
I was doing just what you are doing now and once the doctor told me i was having panic attacks i stopped stressing about imaginary illness and read about panic attacks.Your body reacts to stress with chest pains and this becomes your body's learned reaction.You can pick up a booklet in boots that explains things clearly.
I hope this helps cos i know how it feels to be focusing on every feeling and reading too much into it.Read a book like the hobbit at night.It will take your mind off things and lull you to sleep,i hope!
Sinead
It sounds as tho you are having panic attacks and the more you think about them the worse it gets cos you are stressing yourself out.
It is hard to stop panic attacks but just knowing what the problem is can help you to stop worrying.You are imagining all sorts of reasons for how you feel and then focusing on it and then making it worse. Thinking about things really can make you sick.
Instead of looking up sickness Try looking up Pilates on the web,this guy 'Pilates' was sick his whole childhood and found that mind over matter really can work to heal your own body.
I was doing just what you are doing now and once the doctor told me i was having panic attacks i stopped stressing about imaginary illness and read about panic attacks.Your body reacts to stress with chest pains and this becomes your body's learned reaction.You can pick up a booklet in boots that explains things clearly.
I hope this helps cos i know how it feels to be focusing on every feeling and reading too much into it.Read a book like the hobbit at night.It will take your mind off things and lull you to sleep,i hope!
Sinead
Ah, thanx for responding!
You're probably right about reading on the internet, it makes me a bit paranoid I guess... It just feels like such a long time to see a doctor, that I started to try and find out info on my own.
"You'd have to have a very fast heart rate for a very long time for it to case any damage. "
Whew, that's a small load of my chest (pun intended).
I've talked with my mom, but she doesn't take any of my symptoms seriously (maybe rightfully so), so it has me frustrated sometimes...
Thank you again, I'll try and not to think about it, from now on. Seeing the doctor in 1,5 weeks should make me feel better.
You're probably right about reading on the internet, it makes me a bit paranoid I guess... It just feels like such a long time to see a doctor, that I started to try and find out info on my own.
"You'd have to have a very fast heart rate for a very long time for it to case any damage. "
Whew, that's a small load of my chest (pun intended).
I've talked with my mom, but she doesn't take any of my symptoms seriously (maybe rightfully so), so it has me frustrated sometimes...
Thank you again, I'll try and not to think about it, from now on. Seeing the doctor in 1,5 weeks should make me feel better.
Hello...
Regarding your last question...Anxiety can lead to symptoms of tachycardia, feeling breathless etc. I do not think that you should worry about this leading to heart disease or damage. You'd have to have a very fast heart rate for a very long time for it to case any damage.
I think in your case, it is best not to investigate by surfing the internet. This will definitely create further anxiety. In the absence of heart defect or disease, it is very unlikely that the tachycardia you are experiencing will lead to a deadly arrhythmia.
I wouldn't worry about this too much. The symptoms you continue to describe seem to be related to your increasing fear and anxiety about you heart. Have you discussed this any further with your parents. I think that if you saw a Dr and were again reassured that your heart is healthy...this would reduce your level of fear.
Talk to your parents:)
Regarding your last question...Anxiety can lead to symptoms of tachycardia, feeling breathless etc. I do not think that you should worry about this leading to heart disease or damage. You'd have to have a very fast heart rate for a very long time for it to case any damage.
I think in your case, it is best not to investigate by surfing the internet. This will definitely create further anxiety. In the absence of heart defect or disease, it is very unlikely that the tachycardia you are experiencing will lead to a deadly arrhythmia.
I wouldn't worry about this too much. The symptoms you continue to describe seem to be related to your increasing fear and anxiety about you heart. Have you discussed this any further with your parents. I think that if you saw a Dr and were again reassured that your heart is healthy...this would reduce your level of fear.
Talk to your parents:)
Um, I'm bumping this thread as I didn't get any answers on my last question... It would be unnecessary, although maybe more efficient, to start a new thread for it, so I wont.
I think I have tachycardia (HB about 100-120) pretty often or almost all the time. This makes me feel out of breath, and I can't really consentrate on anything...
I read abut tachycardia...:
"Even a relatively harmless tachycardia can quickly turn into something deadly, or at least predict that you'll have a more significant arrhythmia in the future."
Does anyone know how fast a tachycardia can turn harmful/deadly?
I really feel stressed about this, please respond...
I think I have tachycardia (HB about 100-120) pretty often or almost all the time. This makes me feel out of breath, and I can't really consentrate on anything...
I read abut tachycardia...:
"Even a relatively harmless tachycardia can quickly turn into something deadly, or at least predict that you'll have a more significant arrhythmia in the future."
Does anyone know how fast a tachycardia can turn harmful/deadly?
I really feel stressed about this, please respond...
Hmm, new symptom...
I often have a faint pulse, and this scares me... I'm also out of breath often... Almost all the time...
I read that palpitations can get worse if you think about them, but I'm wondering how bad it can get...
Can an emotional anxiety lead to serious heart conditions? Before I would've thought that this sounds ridiculous. That you could inflict physical damage with your thoughts? No way!
But now it doesn't sound at all far fetched...
I often have a faint pulse, and this scares me... I'm also out of breath often... Almost all the time...
I read that palpitations can get worse if you think about them, but I'm wondering how bad it can get...
Can an emotional anxiety lead to serious heart conditions? Before I would've thought that this sounds ridiculous. That you could inflict physical damage with your thoughts? No way!
But now it doesn't sound at all far fetched...
Do not feel like you are asking "wierd" questions or that you are being a bother. If you knew the answers to your question, then you wouldn't be here looking for help.
Some people who experience PVC's have reported feeling just exactly what you mentioned. It'll be interesting to see what kind of pattern you are able to see using the rhythm tracker.
Please feel free to ask as many questions as you want. The fact that you are already feeling better is in part finding answers to things you were worried were serious. You've already taken the first step in helping yourself!
Some people who experience PVC's have reported feeling just exactly what you mentioned. It'll be interesting to see what kind of pattern you are able to see using the rhythm tracker.
Please feel free to ask as many questions as you want. The fact that you are already feeling better is in part finding answers to things you were worried were serious. You've already taken the first step in helping yourself!
I'll just mention one more thing, then I'll log out for the day.
One symptom I forgot to mention is that I can feel my heart beat very strongly and hard in my upper stomach, just below the ribs... No idea what that means, but I feel it better when trying to breathe deeply, and the heart rate often goes up too...
Well yeah not exactly dangerous, but maybe worth mentioning if someone has the same thing or knows what it means...
I feel a bit better already, but It'll still take some time before getting professional help.
One symptom I forgot to mention is that I can feel my heart beat very strongly and hard in my upper stomach, just below the ribs... No idea what that means, but I feel it better when trying to breathe deeply, and the heart rate often goes up too...
Well yeah not exactly dangerous, but maybe worth mentioning if someone has the same thing or knows what it means...
I feel a bit better already, but It'll still take some time before getting professional help.
Yeah of course!
I'll bump this thread when/something new comes up.
It's comforting to know I can talk about stuff here without feeling like I'm being weird or anything!
I'll bump this thread when/something new comes up.
It's comforting to know I can talk about stuff here without feeling like I'm being weird or anything!
You are very welcome. I'm glad to see that you added the tracker. See how this works out and keep us posted...We're always here to chat or help anyway we can!:)
Thanx for the support!
Yeah... Going to sleep is the worst time, because I can't get my thoughts off of this anxiety... I've tried deep breathing and stuff, but it gives me PVCs which freak me out, and my heart races. I might be doing it wrong though...
I'll do as you said, and search the site for relaxment techniques.
Thanx!
Yeah... Going to sleep is the worst time, because I can't get my thoughts off of this anxiety... I've tried deep breathing and stuff, but it gives me PVCs which freak me out, and my heart races. I might be doing it wrong though...
I'll do as you said, and search the site for relaxment techniques.
Thanx!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Given you've had some heart checks, EKG, and you age I agree with Brook_38, you have a lot going for you to get over/past this.
One can't say too much about the need to relax, try sitting in a quiet environment, closing your eyes and breathing slowly and deeply. There is good advice "out there" on relaxation methods, you may try a search on the MedHelp forums/communities and on the web in general. Give that a good try while you're waiting to see you doctor, and see if that helps.
One can't say too much about the need to relax, try sitting in a quiet environment, closing your eyes and breathing slowly and deeply. There is good advice "out there" on relaxation methods, you may try a search on the MedHelp forums/communities and on the web in general. Give that a good try while you're waiting to see you doctor, and see if that helps.
Thanx a bunch for responding!
Hmm, when I was at the doctor, she wasn't a cardiologist and she only listened to my heart and did an EKG. Then shoved me some very mild tranquils... So I'm not at all certain that she didn't miss something.
It does seem at least partly to have to do with my own stress and thoughts, so I probably just need some therapy or something.
I'll try the tracker though, thanks a lot for your help and concern!
Hmm, when I was at the doctor, she wasn't a cardiologist and she only listened to my heart and did an EKG. Then shoved me some very mild tranquils... So I'm not at all certain that she didn't miss something.
It does seem at least partly to have to do with my own stress and thoughts, so I probably just need some therapy or something.
I'll try the tracker though, thanks a lot for your help and concern!
Sorry to hear that you're having such a rough time...I cannot say with certainty that there is nothing wrong with your heart. I will offer you this, being 19 with a healthy lifestyle, no previous history relating to heart problems...Chances are that you are suffering the symptoms associated with anxiety and or panic.
There are many members here within this forum, who have been diagnosed with benign ectopics (PVC's&PAC's). Some deal very well inlight of symptoms and have learned to live with them. For others, the anxiety that comes with symptoms is debilitating. If your Dr has given you a clean bill of health, than that is good news. Maybe you could keep a journal and track your symptoms to see if you can associate them to certain triggers. If so, you can then try avoiding them to see if you have a reduction of symptoms. There is a great "Heart Rhythm Tracker" right here. You might consider adding this to your profile to keep track of your symptoms.
Please keep in touch to let us know how it works out for you. Good Luck:)
There are many members here within this forum, who have been diagnosed with benign ectopics (PVC's&PAC's). Some deal very well inlight of symptoms and have learned to live with them. For others, the anxiety that comes with symptoms is debilitating. If your Dr has given you a clean bill of health, than that is good news. Maybe you could keep a journal and track your symptoms to see if you can associate them to certain triggers. If so, you can then try avoiding them to see if you have a reduction of symptoms. There is a great "Heart Rhythm Tracker" right here. You might consider adding this to your profile to keep track of your symptoms.
Please keep in touch to let us know how it works out for you. Good Luck:)
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