topic Heart attack fear constantly in Anxiety

Heart attack fear constantly

CJ_stuff_and_stuff — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 10:34:23 GMT

Hi there,

i have lived with panic attacks since I was 15.. little did I know at that time that is what it was. I had heart palpitations in a couple of major episodes as a kid, subsequently I had a halter monitor for s few weeks, stress tests, ultra sound etc. of course they all came back fine. It was until about 10-12 years later that I had a similar experience. It was then I was told I had panic disorder - a round of medication later and I didn’t have another attack for another 6 years. This was about 3 years ago and since then I have been having a panic spell every 3-4 months, which I know doesn’t sound like a lot but every time I am convinced I am about to die, that this time is the last time. I live in constant fear of this predator taking over my mind and body at any time of the day and now the night.

i am in the process of tapering off medication because I believe the meds make it worse but I also take a different medication when the episodes do happen.

what I would like to know is if anyone else has heart health fear and panic, what you do to bring yourself back to relaliry and ideally I would like someone to tell me if there was something wrong with my heart, the tests as a teenager would hace shown something... (I do realise you are not doctors so this is an unrealistic request).

i would also just like to feel like I’m not a nut job 😔

Heart attack fear constantly

Jacko777 — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 12:26:07 GMT

Hi CJ,

You're not a nut job, I bet a lot of people will know exactly what you are talking about.

Possibly not much help but, with health issues I presume with 100% belief that everything will be okay unless otherwise notified. So if a doc tells me I'm fine, then I give that my full belief, takes practice, the mind will drift off into anxiety, I have to be the boss and bring it back.

Breathing exercises, when I am feeling anxious and can't clear my mind, 4 second breath in, 4 seconds out, repeat until calmness prevails! Meditation is a great way to learn to control the breath and the mind.

Don't be defined by this 'predator', live your life to the full with all the love you can muster, show that predator who is boss.

Jack

Heart attack fear constantly

CJ_stuff_and_stuff — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 21:36:10 GMT

Hi there Jack,

Thanks for your message. I appreciate your rationallty 🙂

I am a high functioning anxious person and I guess with tiredness my guard is let down and the thoughts weasel their way back into the control seat.

Realising that I am wired this way and that I need to work so hard to keep on top of things feels like the an ant carrying the world on his shoulders.

I am sure my Dr will reassure me that I am doing well and I will walk out thinking I’ve got this ...

Again, thank you for your time in responding. I am not one to ask for support so this means a lot.

Have a lovely day,

Heart attack fear constantly

romantic_thi3f — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 00:27:53 GMT

Hi CJ,

Thanks for your post.

I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling with this so much but it sounds like in a sense you have accepted that this can be a panic disorder even though at the time it does feel like something more. Have I got that right? In the time where it's not so bad, do you genuinely believe that there is something else 'wrong'?

I like the way that in your post you referred to your anxiety as the predator. This is a strength. I say that because you're able to separate it from you;- because there's you and your heart and body, and the predator. Being able to separate that can help in recovery; knowing that even though anxiety can tie into heart symptoms (or any kind of body symptoms) it also works (and goes haywire) on it's own, often when we're not aware of it.

So, with that in mind; things you can do -

- Do talk to your Doctor. If you feel that there are other tests , ask him. Doctors will always need to weigh up the pros and cons of doing tests as to whether they are worth it. Things such as halter monitors are not too difficult, but then there are much much more invasive ones. Your Doctor should be able to clearly explain why he has recommended/not recommend xy test. It does come down to trust because it's very easy to go Doctor shopping.

- Write it down. What are you feeling; is your heart racing; do you feel sweaty/clammy? You may find that things happen in a pattern or that they are intense at certain times rather than others. What makes it worse/better?

- Stay off the Internet. I think this goes without saying but I do know personally how easy it is to be caught up in medical lingo and go down the rabbit hole.

- Ask yourself why. Why is this my heart specifically and not my anxiety? Why am I convinced I am going to die this time and not last time? Often our brains and anxiety just scream 'because I said so!' but you'll probably find there's not much evidence behind it! See if you can experiment or get used to challenging those thoughts and beliefs.

- Relaxation activities. The breathing one that Jack suggested is awesome but there are others you can consider. Muscle tension and relaxation exercises can be helpful; or even things that you enjoy that are relaxing (like colouring, knitting, sewing, walking).

Hope this helps,

Heart attack fear constantly

Jacko777 — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 01:36:53 GMT

Thanks CJ, I appreciate your reply.

You have great awareness of your self. I think you nailed it when you say 'I am wired this way and that I need to work so hard to keep on top of things'. The great thing about that, as you know, is that you CAN unwire the tangle by working hard, you know it's worth it to persist. And you are not alone, we all know exactly what you are talking about. Romanticthi3f has some great ideas there to refocus your mind on the things that are really important to you.

Meditation is a great way to practice focusing your mind (obviously!), the more you do it the easier it becomes to keep your mind in a positive place where you choose.

Jack