Worrying weak sensation in chest? Anxiety? Heart issue?

Posted by aaronblack @aaronblack, Apr 26, 2020

I started experiencing palpitations 5 months ago, went A&E did chest scans couldn't find anything, then saw a top cardiologist did Echo, 24 hr ECG, 24 hr Blood pressure monitor, Bruce treadmill tests etc and was told nothing is wrong (only occasional ectopics). My symptoms went away after this for a good few months but lately I've started to get a 'worrying' weak feeling in my chest.

This happens specially at night as soon as I close my eyes trying to sleep. Soon as I close my eyes or even whilst sitting and thinking my entire chest feels weak and I get a 'worrying' sensation as if something is to happen or if I'm about to lose air/oxygen. I'm not sure if this is anxiety or if its a physical symptom? Few doctors along the way told me its anxiety, one or two said it could be gastro-reflux, but since I've not been diagnosed and we're stuck in a lockdown, not sure what to think of it. Might help adding that I do overthink everything, one small palpitation or pain and I'm thinking heart attack.

For a few months I also experienced something being stuck in my throat, doctors said its anxiety and surprisingly this went away and never came back.

I thought it might help posting it here and talking (then if it is anxiety this might help it). But if anybody has any suggestions, experiences or knows maybe if this is one thing or another would be highly appreciated.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart & Blood Health Support Group.

Hi @aaronblack, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.
I'm glad that you had your symptoms reviewed by a heart specialist and that your heart seems to be in order. This is a worrying time around the globe. For that reason, I'm not surprised that your symptoms have returned. I've add your message to the Anxiety group as well. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/depression-anxiety/

You may also be interested in these discussions:
- Mysterious shortness of breath https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mysterious-shortness-of-breath/
- What do you guys think could be causing my chest pain ? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-do-you-guys-think-could-be-causing-my-chest-pain/
- How are you handling anxiety in this time of COVID-19? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anxiety-7/

I agree, Aaron, that if this is anxiety that you are experiencing, it is good to talk about it. When you close your eyes, where do you noticing your mind wandering to? What concerns you most these days?

REPLY

@aaronblack Hi Aaron and I add my welcome also. I definitely know how what I used to call Phantom feelings are and seem so real
I have suffered with anxiety myself. Min was also due to my Heart but as I became more aware of my body I would overthink things. What helped me is a couple of things first I can to the realization that right where your heart is there is also your stomach, lungs, and muscle. So instead of always thinking it was my heart I would look at a few things. One I got good at checking my pulse and it it seemed normal then I would chock it up to one of the other things. Usually that set my mind at ease. But also you mentioned lying down. Well I do have reflux and lying down makes it easier for that feeling to be noticed and trust me it can feel like it your heart. I hope that helps and if it continues maybe mention to your Regular doctor to check some of the other areas.
Have a Blessed Day
Dana

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@colleenyoung

Hi @aaronblack, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.
I'm glad that you had your symptoms reviewed by a heart specialist and that your heart seems to be in order. This is a worrying time around the globe. For that reason, I'm not surprised that your symptoms have returned. I've add your message to the Anxiety group as well. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/depression-anxiety/

You may also be interested in these discussions:
- Mysterious shortness of breath https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mysterious-shortness-of-breath/
- What do you guys think could be causing my chest pain ? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-do-you-guys-think-could-be-causing-my-chest-pain/
- How are you handling anxiety in this time of COVID-19? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anxiety-7/

I agree, Aaron, that if this is anxiety that you are experiencing, it is good to talk about it. When you close your eyes, where do you noticing your mind wandering to? What concerns you most these days?

Jump to this post

Hi and thank you. Surprisingly because its happened for a few nights I now find myself thinking of the symptoms (almost expecting them) before I even get to bed. For this reason I try and delay going to bed so that I'm so tired that I fall asleep without experiencing the symptoms. I guess because I've not been diagnosed with anxiety I find it hard to think of it as anxiety and keep thinking maybe the cardiologist missed something.

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@danab

@aaronblack Hi Aaron and I add my welcome also. I definitely know how what I used to call Phantom feelings are and seem so real
I have suffered with anxiety myself. Min was also due to my Heart but as I became more aware of my body I would overthink things. What helped me is a couple of things first I can to the realization that right where your heart is there is also your stomach, lungs, and muscle. So instead of always thinking it was my heart I would look at a few things. One I got good at checking my pulse and it it seemed normal then I would chock it up to one of the other things. Usually that set my mind at ease. But also you mentioned lying down. Well I do have reflux and lying down makes it easier for that feeling to be noticed and trust me it can feel like it your heart. I hope that helps and if it continues maybe mention to your Regular doctor to check some of the other areas.
Have a Blessed Day
Dana

Jump to this post

Thanks Dana, I was a week away from going to my practitioner and getting to the bottom of it all, perhaps being diagnosed with anxiety or attempting therapy etc. but due to the pandemic this of course has been delayed.

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@aaronblack I also add my welcome to you, for finding us here at Mayo Connect. What did you do to find our forum, I am curious? [besides, I always like to hear how people look things up!]
Have you experienced anxiety before? you mentioned you have a tendency to overthink, and this may indeed be part of the basis for your feelings. What have you done in the past to help relax you? Journal your thoughts and worries [always a good one that works for me], listening to relaxing music, perhaps watching a comedy you like, do a craft? In these times, perhaps limiting your exposure to current news might help, also.

For me, the activities and chores of everyday life can offer to distract my mind. Then, as the day wears down, my mind takes over to a greater degree, and off I go into anxiety/overthinking/worrying! Do you think this might be relatable to your situation?
Ginger

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@gingerw

@aaronblack I also add my welcome to you, for finding us here at Mayo Connect. What did you do to find our forum, I am curious? [besides, I always like to hear how people look things up!]
Have you experienced anxiety before? you mentioned you have a tendency to overthink, and this may indeed be part of the basis for your feelings. What have you done in the past to help relax you? Journal your thoughts and worries [always a good one that works for me], listening to relaxing music, perhaps watching a comedy you like, do a craft? In these times, perhaps limiting your exposure to current news might help, also.

For me, the activities and chores of everyday life can offer to distract my mind. Then, as the day wears down, my mind takes over to a greater degree, and off I go into anxiety/overthinking/worrying! Do you think this might be relatable to your situation?
Ginger

Jump to this post

Hi and thank you Ginger. Long before I went to a cardiologist I came across Mayo Clinic when I searched up my symptoms. But for the past few days i've been looking for a place to discuss medical problems and so i searched Quora for 'Places to ask medical questions for free" (as there are a lot of sites offering paid support) and so a user recommended me here.

I do agree with what you suggested. I find myself completely fine whilst I'm working from home or concentrating on a particular thing until I start thinking of the outcome (possible heart attack) or something deadly. I'll try what you suggested, hopefully it works.

REPLY

I have had anxiety since I was 14/15. Now am 20. Drink nothing but water and milk and exercise daily. I was on Zoloft and it worked for couple years I stopped it cold turkey. It came back. So I upped to 100mg Zoloft and it took back control I was happy feel good for awhile again. BUT. I’d take it then wait 4-5 days take it again. Did that for a long time. Then out of no where I had a heart palpitation. And my anxiety came back on the Zoloft so I switched to 20mg Prozac. It’s been just over 2 months and no changes. And still palpitations. I’ve had a monitor saw cardiologist. Everything. All fine. I feel as if I dident have palpitations my anxiety would be controllable. And another question that worry’s me. I know anxiety causes heart palps but why did they just start months back when I’ve had anxiety for 5-6 years ? That’s what scares me. And then I’m worried that anxiety has caused a problem with my heart !!

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@06dodge

I have had anxiety since I was 14/15. Now am 20. Drink nothing but water and milk and exercise daily. I was on Zoloft and it worked for couple years I stopped it cold turkey. It came back. So I upped to 100mg Zoloft and it took back control I was happy feel good for awhile again. BUT. I’d take it then wait 4-5 days take it again. Did that for a long time. Then out of no where I had a heart palpitation. And my anxiety came back on the Zoloft so I switched to 20mg Prozac. It’s been just over 2 months and no changes. And still palpitations. I’ve had a monitor saw cardiologist. Everything. All fine. I feel as if I dident have palpitations my anxiety would be controllable. And another question that worry’s me. I know anxiety causes heart palps but why did they just start months back when I’ve had anxiety for 5-6 years ? That’s what scares me. And then I’m worried that anxiety has caused a problem with my heart !!

Jump to this post

Hi @06dodge and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You will see that I moved your post to a discussion where a couple of members are discussing similar problems. You will also notice that in addition to Depression and Anxiety, I also added your discussion to the Heart Health group too just in case there are members in the heart group that have had palpitations with anxiety.

There are two other discussions that you might want to read just to get an idea of what might be going on
Anxiety and heart palpitations: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anxiety-and-heart-palpitations/

Heart palpitations with anxiety?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/heart-palpitations-with-anxiety/

I see that you were on Zoloft and then Prozac. Did your doctor give you anything to take for sudden onset anxiety and palpitations?

REPLY
@amandaa

Hi @06dodge and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You will see that I moved your post to a discussion where a couple of members are discussing similar problems. You will also notice that in addition to Depression and Anxiety, I also added your discussion to the Heart Health group too just in case there are members in the heart group that have had palpitations with anxiety.

There are two other discussions that you might want to read just to get an idea of what might be going on
Anxiety and heart palpitations: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anxiety-and-heart-palpitations/

Heart palpitations with anxiety?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/heart-palpitations-with-anxiety/

I see that you were on Zoloft and then Prozac. Did your doctor give you anything to take for sudden onset anxiety and palpitations?

Jump to this post

No he did not. I’m going to him tomorrow. Im going to see if he thinks it’s a good idea to go back to Zoloft since it worked for me before and maybe take Xanax until it builds up and while I go to therapy.

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