I’m worried about my heart I’m 21 and have health anxiety.

Posted by songoku32 @songoku32, Mar 23, 2023

Hey, so i don’t get overly stressed out about it. But I do minorly stress abt my heart like putting my hand over my chest to feel my heart quite frequently, feel my pulse and kinda stress out if I have any pain in my chest because I’ve had it for a year and a half almost. I’ve been cleared from a cardiologist and 3 er cardiologists recently but I’ve been worried if a stress test would show anything different. The cardiologist did all testing except CT Scan, and a stress test. I have a negative d-dimer and I’m fit. But I’m worried that I’m being skipped for stuff. I still used to have very frequent chest pains, it’s chilled out since. I’m honestly sub consciously worried abt heart attacks and that’s all or just heart problems in general. I just want to know for sure I was last at the er about a week ish ago on an ekg for hours for nothing abnormal. Even with chest pains. It’s causing me unnecessary anxiety. I just don’t know if my d-dimer can increase to abnormal in 3ish months. Idk what to think I just want all my pain to leave 😭

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I would ask your primary care doctor to check your lipoprotein (a) score and your calcium score through blood work. Those two scores are a good indicator of heart disease. You need a good cardiologist, and you certainly have time on your side. Good luck.

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What, or whom, will you believe? This is your principal question, isn't it? If several well-intentioned health care professionals have assured you that your heart reads normal, wouldn't that suggest that you have other problems, maybe a generalized anxiety (there is such a disorder, but I'm not suggesting that's where we're headed...)?

It might be worth it to YOU to have a health professional order a Holter Monitor for you to wear at least overnight, issued in the mid-afternoon, and turned in to the office the next day, usually near noon. But, if it shows nothing of concern, would you then convince yourself that you needed to wear it just one more day?

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@songoku32 Hmm, with all physical issues ruled out, perhaps your anxiety is the cause of the intermittent pain?

You are at a very difficult point in life, just finding your way into adulthood, getting education or an occupation, etc. Rather than visiting the ER, how about a visit to your primary physician. Get a complete physical, and talk to them about your anxiety. They can refer you to someone who can teach you self-calming techniques like controlled breathing, and maybe consider a mild anti-anxiety med.

Some other things you can do to improve your overall health, and distract yourself from worrying include:
Maintain a healthy diet, and avoid alcohol, caffeine (in soda, coffee and energy drinks.)
To keep your heart healthy, limit fast food, pizza, ramen noodles and concentrate on fresh fruits and vegetable and lean protein.
Don't smoke or vape ANYTHING.
Get regular exercise - nothing extreme - cycling, brisk walking, skateboarding, swimming... Socialize with friends or family.
Limit gaming and time on social media or watching TV to and hour or two a day so you have time for healthy activity.
Try to develop a passion for something that will keep you so busy you don't have time to worry!

Sue

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@maryecox

I would ask your primary care doctor to check your lipoprotein (a) score and your calcium score through blood work. Those two scores are a good indicator of heart disease. You need a good cardiologist, and you certainly have time on your side. Good luck.

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Good point I’ll def ask

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It can be musculoskeletal. I've had chest pain from that.

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@heartme

It can be musculoskeletal. I've had chest pain from that.

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Thanks it could be a lot of things, it comes and goes

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@songoku32

Thanks it could be a lot of things, it comes and goes

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There may be a very simple explanation, and you are worrying needlessly.

Have you had a complete physical by your regular provider? That is the very best thing you can do to solve the puzzle.
Sue

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@sueinmn

There may be a very simple explanation, and you are worrying needlessly.

Have you had a complete physical by your regular provider? That is the very best thing you can do to solve the puzzle.
Sue

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It’s so random, like tn I had a super sharp pain in my arm that lasted a couple seconds and left. I’ve never had pain like that

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i dnt tk u sh wry s mch.

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I feel everything you saying I'm 32 years old and ever since I had my son last year I been dealing with chest pain I been diagnosed with high blood and high cholesterol it's alot to deal with especially taking care a baby. I did a stress test , blood work, ekg and everything come back Normal but for some reason I still feel like something is wrong I find myself checking my blood pressure every hour it's bad I can't sleep at night because I'm afraid of dying in my sleep. I need help I just wanna be ok and for some reason I can't. Some days I be ok than days like today I be nervous and scared. Anyone have any tips

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