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Anxiety or Heart Issues?
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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@hopeful33250- I agree with the importance of knowing the signs of a heart attack. A lot of women also have atypical signs of a heart attack. So I thought that it was important to share these along with The American Heart Associtiation's version, which is humorous. BUT make no mistake here, she's an actress who is not having a heart attack and heart attacks should not be considered a light subject.
Here is another video that will help you understand how a woman's attacks are different than a man's.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEHLPEHHTo4
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3 ReactionsLooks like I will have to call my doctor tomorrow. All day during work I had this horrible pain in my left shoulder blade that would shoot down my arm. It's just so odd that it comes and goes. Sometimes I have no pains at all for weeks, even months sometimes. Then it all comes back and it's just terrifying. I've racked up so many bills with these pains from going to the ER. I do feel like I have a lot of acid reflux, like my throat is burning, so maybe when I see my dr monday I can ask about that. I also carry around one of those devices that measures my heart beats per minute. And it always reads a steady normal pulse. Even when I feel like my heart is racing. I do have a lot of panic attacks also. After that my chest becomes really sore. Just is all so confusing but thanks all for your words. It's very helpful!
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3 Reactions@merpreb Great video! Thanks for finding and posting this.
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1 ReactionJust an update. Again I want to say thanks to everyone in this forum. It's so amazing to be able to talk about what I'm going through and get advice on it. Called my doctor this morning. He said since we have done bloodwork, an echocardiogram, chest xrays, stress tests, heart holter monitor, etc that my heart and lungs are healthy. I told him about the shortness of breath, left shoulder pain, left arm pain, etc. He then referred me to a orthopedic surgeon. He thinks that it's possible my pains are coming from something called my musculoskeletal. I have an appointment tomorrow to see what they say. I'm just grateful I have a doctor that listens and is recommending everything that could possibly be causing all these symptoms I'm having!
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4 Reactions@libby93- I hope that the dr.'s appointment goes well. Please get rid of the heart monitor because it will drive you crazy. Your tests were normal, correct? This can trigger panic or anxiety attacks. I know how this constant worry can make you fearful because i had to monitor my blood pressure in both arms before I had a vascular stent put in. The worry just isn't worth it unless your doctor asks you to do it. Do you think that you can part with it?
Hello @libby93
You are fortunate to have a doctor who is willing to work with you and continue to look for answers. Just wondering: have you had any spinal or bone issues, such as back problems, car accidents, muscle and/or bone pain, osteoporosis, etc.?
Will you post again and provide an update as to how that appointment goes with the orthopedic doctor?
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1 Reaction@libby93,
To help prepare for your appointment with the orthopedic doctor, I thought you might find this Connect conversation helpful. It discusses ways to get off to a good start with a new specialist.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/your-tips-on-how-to-get-off-to-the-best-start-with-a-new-specialist/?pg=1#comment-240765Will you read it and let me know what you think of the suggestions?
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2 Reactions@hopeful33250 Thank you for the info. I have not a clue what is going on anymore. Referrals with no explanation. Got 2 in the mail yesterday. Guess it is not my job to make the appointments??? Never heard of either of the doctors. Cardiovascular surgery?? Narrowing must be bad. Why do they not inform us anymore?? Anxiety way out of control. IT'S THE SYSTEM!!!!!
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3 Reactions@libby93- How did your appointment go?
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1 ReactionOh my, @parus. I can certainly understand you being upset by getting referrals in the mail without prior notice (especially the one for the cardiovascular surgeon). If you feel calm enough to call the doctor who issued the referrals you might request that they discuss the referral with you before you get a letter in the mail.
Are you planning on keeping these referral appointments?
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