Thanks to both of you who've replied, especially is_something_wrong. I am, unfortunately, quite an anxious person in general, but have been reluctant to recognise this as the cause of my symptoms. Maybe I should.
I'll keep hyperthyroidism in mind if I ever feel it necessary to go to the doctor again, but for the moment it's probably best to assume that my symptoms are mostly (if not entirely) psychological. The wikipedia article on Da Costa's syndrome sure made for some interesting reading.
Hi Tentpoles,
I can fully understand that you are concerned about this.
Your symptoms are very common and unspecific (they can be caused by almost everything). I believe I'm right when telling you that a bit anxious people (you, me) feel that their anxiety problem is drawn "out of the hat" a bit quick, the doctor explains all your symptoms by anxiety, when you're feeling it different. The relevant fact is, by the way, that anxiety can manifest in so many ways (not just the shivering, restless, banging your head against the wall feeling that is classical). It can produce muscle tightness, exercise intoleranse, heavy heart beats, breathlessness, rapid heart rate, depression, more anxiety, chest pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, gastrointestinal discomfort, you name it.
Some facts:
If you are 17 years old, you can forget about angina, heart attacks, etc. I don't think anyone at the age of 17 ever have got angina. Even if you are living extremely unhealthy (drugs, smoking, BMI 35+, etc) this is almost impossible. Your challenge is to forget about those diseases.
Angina pain is not located to the left of your chest. It's located in the middle. So is your heart. It's a myth that your heart is located to the left. It's located in the centre, slightly to the left.
To your visible heart rate and abdominal pain: Yes, some people get what's called a dilated aorta (or an aneurysm, that is the medical term). This happens almost only in people 60+ and I would forget about that too. If your doctor suspected this, he would do an ultrasound of your aorta - this only takes a minute. Again, this doesn't happen if you're 17 years old.
Strong heart beats (whatever causes them) is actually a good sign, that your heart is able to pump large amounts of blood - the opposite of heart failure.
I believe all your chest and arm pain is caused by tense muscles, either outside of, in, or under your chest wall. It can spread out to your arms and hands.
The only thing I would "worry" about (if worry is a correct term, because it's easily treated) is your hyperthyreoidism, as this condition can cause all symptoms you refer to. Ask your doctor about it and get it treated if necessary.
Your symptoms are classical to what is/was called "cardiac neurosis" or "da Costas syndrome" (I've got this myself). And it's amazing what symptoms worrying about your heart can cause.
Hi,i think u had enough test on ur heart that its okay, are those test done by a cardiologist? Regarding palpitation,do u have any anxiety issue,in my opinion if one are too concern about their heart and this can lead to more health anxiety