Feels like I can't breathe for a second...heart related?

[jamiedanger]

Hi,

I'm not quite sure where to post this. Ever since last June (2010), I will every so often feel like I can't breathe
for a second, and kind of like my heart stops. It usually lasts for 1 second, 5 seconds tops, but it's just a very
strange feeling.

The problem is, it's very hard to explain what happens. It just feels like I can't breathe for a second, and maybe
like my heart has stopped, but whenever I try and feel for my pulse to check, it's already stopped. Plus, whenever
I feel it, I sort of feel it in the middle of my chest, not above or near my heart.

I thought maybe it was some sort of angina, but I'm young (24) and take Omega-3 daily, and try to keep myself
healthy (I am overweight, though). And most of all, there's absolutely no pain. It just feels very weird for a second.
Nothing radiates, and it usually only happens once, and then goes away.

It usually happens every couple of months, but in July, it happened in rapid succession one night, about 6-7 times,
and I got very freaked out. The next day, I went to the Doctor, and they gave me an EKG and a holter monitor to
wear, and a blood test. It all came back totally normal, but when I was wearing the monitor, I didn't feel it happen, so
I'm not sure if they caught anything.

I guess my question is...should I be worried? Do these symptoms sound dangerous? Has anyone else experienced these? Have you talked to a doctor?

ANYTHING would be very helpful! Thank you!

[Cceaseless]

I had PVC-like symptoms for a couple of weeks - just it was described in the first question here. I found out I had a UTI during that time, so I'm guessing the bacteria were interfering with the blood circulation at the time. I am also suffering from leaky gut syndrome, so I'm also sensitive to sugar. There may be a specific relation between these two types of infections, but pvcs disappeared after my UTI  was cured.

[flubber123]

Does anybody get it while there awake this all started when I was falling asleep ect it started last year and Iv had it in my sleep to where iv troed to wake up but I just could not and I thought I was screaming but I wasnt but now I get it in the day it kinda feels lile everything stops I feel real weord I cant describe it and I jist cant breath im sat in bed shaking at this minute iv got a holter monitor on right now so surely of it is heart related it would of caught it ?? But now its going to be the long wait of living woth this while the holter monotor results come back im so scared and I just have a horrible feeling about this does any of you have health anxiety ?

[Ruebster]

I'm glad I found this post, read all the comments thanks for sharing at least I won't stress about it too much and if it gets worse I'll see a doc.

Peace out guys...

Keep breathing!

[lisajoshpaul]

I have something like this also, weird! In the night when Im trying to sleep. Its like im holding my breath for a few seconds. No chest pain or tightness just no breath. Then I take a deep breath if i can and it goes away. Every night or so this happens off and on through the night. Does anyone know why? It is a very strange feeling. Kinda scarey.

[Lindaleepat1]

It could be  Sleep Apnea should get a Sleep Study Testing, You are holding your breath, you may need a C-pap talk to your doctor. I have had three sleep study's and right now my health  ins wont pay for the machine till Oct. I am loosing my breath in the day now just sitting ,Feels like my breath was pulled right out of me.

[lisajoshpaul]

I have something like this also, weird! In the night when Im trying to sleep. Its like im holding my breath for a few seconds. No chest pain or tightness just no breath. Then I take a deep breath if i can and it goes away. Every night or so this happens off and on through the night. Does anyone know why? It is a very strange feeling. Kinda scarey.

[Lindaleepat1]

Maybe Sleep Apnea ask your doctor about a Sleep Study Testing

[villandra]

Because hearts, and the neurochemistry that helps drive them, have cycles, I think.  I have PTSD and it has long periods when it acts up a lot and long periods when it is seldom heard from.

If you have alot of health problems it is also possible that something about them or what you do to treat them drives the cyclical behavior.  

The things that set off PVCs and the like in most people are stress, lack of sleep, caffeine, and asthma meds, among other things.   I swear my bipolar catecholamine swings help drive the behavior.