1. < Heart & Blood Health

Worrying about my heart: tests normal, but I'm anxious

Posted by tngirl1 @tngirl1, Jan 27, 2019

This is my first time posting on here. I have been worrying about my heart ever since I went to the ER three months ago. I had a EKG blood work CT scan. All test came back normal. Then I had a echocardiogram and a nuclear stress test. All came back normal. I am not sleeping good at night due to worrying that something in my heart has changed since having all the test done. I am dealing with anxiety. Doctors have told me that I’m ok and that my heart is good. I have been having tightness on the left side of my chest and a burning feeling on my left side. It makes me worry more. I don’t know what to do.

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mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Oct 29, 2023
In reply to @debwellmadebeh "I do my research and then inquire with doctors. Your comments seem a bit aggressive, this..." + (show)
@debwellmadebeh

I do my research and then inquire with doctors. Your comments seem a bit aggressive, this is a forum for those of us with real health issues, please don’t use this platform to carry out passive/aggressive comments. There are many people in my same boat (based on what I read here), I was simply stating my situation and another situation for others to draw info from.

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Now, debwellmadebeh,

My comments were and continue to be a reaction to your anti-statin comments, however carefully worded you may think they were. I attempt to make my comment neither passive, nor aggressive. I am neither a medical professional nor medical scientist.

I will try and be clear, though. Folks who research a lot, and then make "soft" comments as you have about statins usually have read a lot, but sometimes the wrong sorts of reading. In some cases, this is because of a lack of technical training. If you have medical training and education, please forgive my comments.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 29, 2023

I'd like to insert a gentle reminder of the Community Guidelines (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/) that help keep the tone safe, supportive, inclusive, and, above all, respectful.

I'm confident that the recent messages shared come from a place of kindness and caring. Please keep in mind that we only have words on the screen to communicate our experiences, thoughts and support. Without the benefit of tone of voice or body language sometimes the messages may be interpreted incorrectly. And sometimes we bring the bias of our own experiences when reading the post of another member.

I encourage you to review the guidelines and pay particular attention to guidelines 1 and 2. Here's an excerpt.

1. Be careful about giving out medical advice
- Sharing your own experience is fine, but don't tell other members what they should do.
- Experiences and information shared by members on the Mayo Clinic Connect are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
- Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community.

2. Remain respectful at all times.
- Exercise tolerance and respect toward other participants whose views may differ from your own.
- Disagreements are fine, but mutual respect is a must.

Since we only have words and words matter, please choose your words kindly and be aware of unintentional bias that you may be bringing into the conversation.

With gratitude,
Colleen, Community Director, Mayo Clinic Connect

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1 reply
Mentor
Debra, Volunteer Mentor | @karukgirl | Oct 29, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "I'd like to insert a gentle reminder of the Community Guidelines (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/) that help keep the..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

I'd like to insert a gentle reminder of the Community Guidelines (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/) that help keep the tone safe, supportive, inclusive, and, above all, respectful.

I'm confident that the recent messages shared come from a place of kindness and caring. Please keep in mind that we only have words on the screen to communicate our experiences, thoughts and support. Without the benefit of tone of voice or body language sometimes the messages may be interpreted incorrectly. And sometimes we bring the bias of our own experiences when reading the post of another member.

I encourage you to review the guidelines and pay particular attention to guidelines 1 and 2. Here's an excerpt.

1. Be careful about giving out medical advice
- Sharing your own experience is fine, but don't tell other members what they should do.
- Experiences and information shared by members on the Mayo Clinic Connect are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
- Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community.

2. Remain respectful at all times.
- Exercise tolerance and respect toward other participants whose views may differ from your own.
- Disagreements are fine, but mutual respect is a must.

Since we only have words and words matter, please choose your words kindly and be aware of unintentional bias that you may be bringing into the conversation.

With gratitude,
Colleen, Community Director, Mayo Clinic Connect

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Thank you for that "gentle reminder" Colleen, I think it is helpful for all of us to remember what Mayo Connect is all about...Connecting. Connecting people with same or similar conditions or experiences and being able to share openly and freely with each other, without fear. How true that my opinion may differ from someone else, but accepting the differences can also offer an opportunity to learn if we keep our minds open. I appreciate the input you have provided here. It seems the world is full of problems, strife, angst, pain and sorrow...but it is also full of joy, love, happiness and beauty, and many positive things, and Mayo Connect is a positive thing in a negative world.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 29, 2023
In reply to @jfching "I had heart failure last year August, same symptoms as yours. The hospital made me undergo..." + (show)
@jfching

I had heart failure last year August, same symptoms as yours. The hospital made me undergo angiogram. No plaque was there so it was somewhat a waste of money. I have been worried since. I had ECG, Cardiac MRI and with meds, the last of which was July this year. But up to now I am still afraid my heart will stop, when 2 cardios told me my heart is strong. My bp and cholesterol and blood sugar is good October...I think I will die of anxiety rather than my condition.. so please do as advised, by people here, have a hobby and distract yourself from worry. The pain from left side might be acid reflux only or heartburn

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@jfching, I'm relieved that tests were done and that cardiologists were able to confirm that your heart is strong. This rules out your concern of heart failure. You've also wisely identified that your anxiety has the upper hand and you fear your anxiety will be your undoing.

That's the first step to gaining control - asking for help. You might be interested in this helpful, related discussion:
- Journaling - The Write Stuff For You?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/journaling-the-write-stuff-for-you/
Do you journal? What hobbies or activities distract you from the anxiety? How do you manage your anxiety?

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 29, 2023
In reply to @debwellmadebeh "I have total anxiety after receiving my CAC score of 585 ( 429 in my LAD,..." + (show)
@debwellmadebeh

I have total anxiety after receiving my CAC score of 585 ( 429 in my LAD, almost 2 years ago), all of my heart testing says I have the heart of a 40 year old (I am 60) but this CAC score indicates my arteries are not good which obviously worries me. I am very active and try very hard to stay on a plant based diet. Anxiety mimics heart attack (type) symptoms and happens almost daily, which exasperates the anxiety. It feels like a vicious cycle and it is a daily battle to talk myself of the ledge each time it happens. There has got to be a better way to bridge this gap between the known and unknown that causes us so much fear. I take Red Yeast Rice instead of a statin and it has lowered all my numbers (still working on my LDL of 120). Interesting side note for those that think statins are the answer: I have a friend (55 year old) took Crestor for 10 years, his cholesterol numbers were great, his wife urged him to get a CAC score (he thought it was a waste of time), came back at 2750, Cath lab the next day, 86 % blockage in his LAD, had stent done, great outcome! Moral to the story is cholesterol numbers are not the "tell all" and statins give a false sense of security. His doctors did not request he get a CAC score, I am sure because his numbers looked good. and he had no symptoms other than being tired. Thank God his wife insisted and probably saved his life. I just think there are missing links and conclusive testing that can be developed or implemented to help those of us in this "wait and watch" phase after receiving a high CAC score.

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@debwellmadebeh, here is information about red rice yeast from Mayo Clinic:
- Red yeast rice https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-red-yeast-rice/art-20363074
Mayo offers this caution
"Red yeast rice is capable of lowering blood cholesterol levels and total blood cholesterol levels. While the supplement is generally considered safe, it might carry the same potential side effects as statin cholesterol drugs."

I wonder if this video might be helpful for everyone. Stephen Kopecky, M.D., talks about the risk factors, symptoms and treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) Learn how lifestyle changes can lower your risk.


Deb, you're right that anxiety can mimic heart attack-like symptoms. What helps you reduce the anxiety to stop the vicious cycle you describe?

REPLY
jfching | @jfching | Oct 31, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "@jfching, I'm relieved that tests were done and that cardiologists were able to confirm that your..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@jfching, I'm relieved that tests were done and that cardiologists were able to confirm that your heart is strong. This rules out your concern of heart failure. You've also wisely identified that your anxiety has the upper hand and you fear your anxiety will be your undoing.

That's the first step to gaining control - asking for help. You might be interested in this helpful, related discussion:
- Journaling - The Write Stuff For You?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/journaling-the-write-stuff-for-you/
Do you journal? What hobbies or activities distract you from the anxiety? How do you manage your anxiety?

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I recently lost my job and invested on my own business. This has caused me much anxiety as it takes time for it to pick up.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Debra, Volunteer Mentor | @karukgirl | Nov 1, 2023
In reply to @jfching "I recently lost my job and invested on my own business. This has caused me much..." + (show)
@jfching

I recently lost my job and invested on my own business. This has caused me much anxiety as it takes time for it to pick up.

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Hang in there @jfching, it is not a good feeling to lose a job, and you are under a lot of stress. I hope you have something you enjoy doing that can offer you some peace and is healthy for your mind and your heart.

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