1. < Depression & Anxiety

Anxiety or Heart Issues?

Posted by libby93 @libby93, Apr 19, 2019

Before I start I want to inform you that I do have severe anxiety and panic disorder. I'm also a 25 year old female. About 2 years ago I started experiencing these awful chest pains. It scared me so bad I went to the ER to get checked out. They did chest x rays, ekg, etc. All of those came back normal. So they sent me home and said to take asprin. The pains kept coming back. It was to the point where I couldn't leave the house. I quit my job and everything. Everyone told me it was just my anxiety. I finally set myself up with a PCP. Told him all the symptoms I was experiencing, convinced I was going to have a heart attack. He had me do another xray, a stress test, blood work, and wear a heart holter monitor for 72 hours. All of those once again where clear. So he put me on a low dose beta blocker and it's done wonders for me up until about 2 weeks ago. The chest pains, dizziness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, left arm pain and tingling, etc all came back. I missed 4 days of work cause I couldn't leave the house. Again went to the ER a few days ago over this.... nothing was found... is it all anxiety and in my head? Or is there something wrong with my heart? It's ruining my life... I had all these tests done to show my heart is healthy but I can't help but think my dr missed something... thanks for reading.

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johnhans | @johnhans | Apr 20, 2019

I have dealt with chest pains and wondered if it was heart or anxiety. For me @libby93 I use the method of sliding my finger down my chest while applying some pressure. If the muscles hurt then I know the pain is coming from anxiety.
That said it is possible to miss a heart problem. My mother had tests done and nothing showed. Then her heart went into afib and the doctor ordered a echocardiogram with dye that showed heart damage from scarring due to childhood disease.
So be aware that anxiety can cause chest pain, but it can also have other causes. So please keep seeing a doctor and get a second opinion if you feel it is necessary. Please keep us informed on your progress towards solving this

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1 reply
hodagwi | @hodagwi | Apr 20, 2019

wife has lots of anxiety and chest pains, shortness of breath, left arm tingling and started using the CBD oil and much better. Says it relaxes her. Takes before bed and lets her sleep good. takes 15mg during the day and 10mg at night. uses a good quality brand not those found at gas stations.

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thankful | @thankful | Apr 20, 2019

@libby93- It's crazy how powerful our minds are! I've had anxiety issues going on 25 years and sometimes the slightess things can trigger symthoms that have gotten me very concerned. I did have a major HA back in 2014 and ever since I have become more aware of the slightess pains coming from my chest.
My anxiety has been in check for many years, but again it is still easy for me to go there. I recently was having a chest pain that was right where my heart is and it was a gnawing type of pain that really had me going. I would think this could be another HA or.... Finally I decided to get checked out at the ER.
They couldn't find anything and I wish I could tell you that made all the difference, but it didn't. What helped the most was from a friend who is a PT and has a great sense of our complicated bodies & minds. I had told her that I had recently moved a heavy tablesaw by myself and after discussing that she said that there are chest muscles...... bottom line, totally helped me understand what was going on and as I understood that information, all became well. It took another few weeks for the pain to completely be gone. The mind is incredibly powerful! @libby93, I hope this story helps some. You did the right things and I would listen to what your body is telling you, but at some point we need to have trust in what our doctors are telling us as well. Hope you have a great Easter!
Jim @thankful

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 20, 2019
In reply to @johnhans "I have dealt with chest pains and wondered if it was heart or anxiety. For me..." + (show)
@johnhans

I have dealt with chest pains and wondered if it was heart or anxiety. For me @libby93 I use the method of sliding my finger down my chest while applying some pressure. If the muscles hurt then I know the pain is coming from anxiety.
That said it is possible to miss a heart problem. My mother had tests done and nothing showed. Then her heart went into afib and the doctor ordered a echocardiogram with dye that showed heart damage from scarring due to childhood disease.
So be aware that anxiety can cause chest pain, but it can also have other causes. So please keep seeing a doctor and get a second opinion if you feel it is necessary. Please keep us informed on your progress towards solving this

Jump to this post

You make a good point, @johnhans. While anxiety can cause symptoms of heart disease. Anxiety can also be a symptom of heart disease. When your heart is not functioning properly, you can feel anxious. It really is a two-way road and it is important to have any symptoms checked out by a cardiologist.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 20, 2019

Here is a good video from the American Heart Association about heart attacks and women,

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1 reply
Parus | @parus | Apr 20, 2019

Interesting topic. Can identify as it took going to an ortho doctor that revealed why my BP is inconsistent and it is not anxiety and depression which has been causing the high/low BP until now. Instead they medicate the symptom and go no further. They won't listen because of anxiety/depression. Gee, an honest mistake. Carotids have considerable narrowing. Back to the cardiologist that kicked me to the curb not so long ago pointing out anxiety and depression as the cause. Jerk!!! I am being polite.

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Parus | @parus | Apr 20, 2019
In reply to @thankful "@libby93- It's crazy how powerful our minds are! I've had anxiety issues going on 25 years..." + (show)
@thankful

@libby93- It's crazy how powerful our minds are! I've had anxiety issues going on 25 years and sometimes the slightess things can trigger symthoms that have gotten me very concerned. I did have a major HA back in 2014 and ever since I have become more aware of the slightess pains coming from my chest.
My anxiety has been in check for many years, but again it is still easy for me to go there. I recently was having a chest pain that was right where my heart is and it was a gnawing type of pain that really had me going. I would think this could be another HA or.... Finally I decided to get checked out at the ER.
They couldn't find anything and I wish I could tell you that made all the difference, but it didn't. What helped the most was from a friend who is a PT and has a great sense of our complicated bodies & minds. I had told her that I had recently moved a heavy tablesaw by myself and after discussing that she said that there are chest muscles...... bottom line, totally helped me understand what was going on and as I understood that information, all became well. It took another few weeks for the pain to completely be gone. The mind is incredibly powerful! @libby93, I hope this story helps some. You did the right things and I would listen to what your body is telling you, but at some point we need to have trust in what our doctors are telling us as well. Hope you have a great Easter!
Jim @thankful

Jump to this post

@thankful Well. this was the case with me. No more PT after results of CT scan. I just kept pushing myself thinking it was anxiety. PT halted at this time. At least someone finally saw past anxiety. Grateful. I think.
Yes the mind is incredibly powerful or some such.

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libby93 | @libby93 | Apr 20, 2019

Thanks for all the replies all. I went to my doctor today and was telling him all the symptoms have come back. I was on a low dose of a beta blocker so we are going to try to up my dose a bit and see if that helps. I forgot to add that I did have an echocardiogram done on my heart too. All the tests I've done, I've passed with flying colors. I'm overweight too and have been working hard to shed the extra pounds. It just gets hard when I have all these symptoms... just scares me and I lay in bed most days aftet work. Hoping the increase in my beta blocker helps.

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2 replies
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Apr 20, 2019
In reply to @libby93 "Thanks for all the replies all. I went to my doctor today and was telling him..." + (show)
@libby93

Thanks for all the replies all. I went to my doctor today and was telling him all the symptoms have come back. I was on a low dose of a beta blocker so we are going to try to up my dose a bit and see if that helps. I forgot to add that I did have an echocardiogram done on my heart too. All the tests I've done, I've passed with flying colors. I'm overweight too and have been working hard to shed the extra pounds. It just gets hard when I have all these symptoms... just scares me and I lay in bed most days aftet work. Hoping the increase in my beta blocker helps.

Jump to this post

@libby93 We're here for you! Like so many have said, it is a tricky situation. Everyday the way our bodies work as a miracle machine, so many different duties working together, and sometimes the communications get a bit crossed. I really am glad to hear your Dr is listening to you, and working with you to find a solution.
Ginger

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Apr 21, 2019
In reply to @libby93 "Thanks for all the replies all. I went to my doctor today and was telling him..." + (show)
@libby93

Thanks for all the replies all. I went to my doctor today and was telling him all the symptoms have come back. I was on a low dose of a beta blocker so we are going to try to up my dose a bit and see if that helps. I forgot to add that I did have an echocardiogram done on my heart too. All the tests I've done, I've passed with flying colors. I'm overweight too and have been working hard to shed the extra pounds. It just gets hard when I have all these symptoms... just scares me and I lay in bed most days aftet work. Hoping the increase in my beta blocker helps.

Jump to this post

@libby93- Good morning Libby. I hope that you are feeling better today. I have GERD too and sometimes it gets so bad because of the pain in my upper torso. I have a great GI guy. This past year he introduced me to a natural food supplement called FDGARD (https://fdgard.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwqfDlBRBDEiwAigXUaFh2Nyxjvcg8U4p_SFiYMPRT_mqSBvP24AR8MKc-9mxbe4MDur__SxoCKSkQAvD_BwE). I was told to take my omeprazole first then after 1/2 hour to take the FDGARD then wait another 1/2 hr and eat. When I get a flare up I do this and I actually started one the night before last. By morning the pain was gone.
https://fdgard.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwqfDlBRBDEiwAigXUaFh2Nyxjvcg8U4p_SFiYMPRT_mqSBvP24AR8MKc-9mxbe4MDur__SxoCKSkQAvD_BwE
There are ways to prevent GERD
https://www.everydayhealth.com/gerd/preventing.aspx
Is the doctor who prescribed the blocker a GI guy?

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