Abnormal Heart beat?

[JesseA]

Hi.  for over two years I was able to feel my heartbeat substantially whether I was sitting down, laying down or walking around.  I have been having odd chest pains that go from subtle to painful over the past month.  One week ago I had a very bad pain that went away after a few minutes around my left rib cage.  The next day, I could not feel my heart beating as strong as it was over the past few years.  It now takes me laying down on my own hand to feel my heart beat.  As soon as that happened, every day I have started to feel a little weaker then normal.  I am only a 22 year old male.  I recently had a panic attack 3 months ago and was sent to the ER and my blood tests and ECG came back normal.  Did they miss something?  Is my heart not pumping enough blood through my body making myself weak?  I don't have health insurance at the moment due to money problems and I am afraid that there might be something seriously wrong with me.  Please reply back with any help you can offer, and I hope to keep this thread active as long as possible.  Thanks

[sian333]

The dizziness is most likely just postural hypotension. It's common to feel a bit dizzy for a second when you jump up fast or out of bed, for example. It's a reflex.

It's a good sign that your HR and BP are fine. I really wouldn't worry too much. But as mentioned, none of us are doctors and are just speaking from experience. The only way of you knowing is to see a doctor.

I get sharp headaches too, and also sharp chest pain that feels like a knife has been stabbed into me. It's muscular. If the chest pain only lasts seconds...it's generally a good indication that it's not your heart. More likely reflux or a very tight muscle. I always get chest pain when I'm stressed.

My headaches have lessened since I got my eyes tested and was told I had eye strain and needed glasses for the computer and reading. Eye strain can cause tension headaches and sudden cluster headaches.

Heart related pain is typically persistant and won't last just a second or two. It will last for a good while.

I started getting massages and my chest pain has really faded away. I still get it sometimes but it's not as bad. I have had pain so bad in my chest that I have fallen off my chair in the past. I was sure I was dying at the time.

But I'm here and healthy!

If you have any more questions, please ask : ]

[JesseA]

Thanks Jerry.  A few more comments here.  My HR and BP are fine (well they didn't tell me anything was wrong with them at the hospital), I can take a deep breath without any concern, but I do tend to sweat easily and when I get up fast enough from a resting position I do get a bit dizzy. Is the dizziness a big deal?  My mother is 59 and in great shape and she suffers from them as well. I also get small sharp headaches that last for a few minutes from time to time.  Just some more info.

[Jerry_NJ]

I don't translate feeling the heart beat nor feeling weak as specific heart problem symptoms.  On the other points, chest pain would raise some concern, but that too can be due to many causes other than the heart.

If your HR and BP are reasonable and you are not short of breath, or sweat easily, or get dizzy when standing from a resting position I'd guess your "weak" feeling is not due to any heart problem.

You had an EKG and general check up a few months back, that and your young age suggest you do not have a heart problem.

I am just guessing, form the little you have told us and I am not making a diagnosis of your condition, just saying some things for you to think about as you make a decision if further action is needed.