topic Cardiac anxiety 😟 in Anxiety

Cardiac anxiety 😟

Lostworrier82 — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 12:39:54 GMT

Hi all, I’m new here and after reading a lot of peoples posts it gave me courage to share mine.
I’m suffering badly with cardiac anxiety. I had a full check up with the cardiologist back in 2020, everything was clear, had no calcium in arteries so the pain in my chest and arm was left unknown. Over time it went away. I have two small children so life went on. But over the last month I have been suffering intermittent chest pain, left shoulder blade and a throbbing pain in my left arm. I also get sharp pain in my jaw but mainly around my teeth section. As I type my arm is throbbing on and off. You visit google to check your symptoms and as a long time health anxiety person is a massive no no but I did it anyway and of course it comes up heart attack warning signs. I think I got myself into such a stage tonight I really thought I was having one and I started crying and hugging my children. But after a bit I calmed down and it went away. But came back in an hour or so. I’ve told my GP about my symptoms and I’m getting full bloods done tomorrow but she thinks it could be bad reflux. Sigh. It’s just hard. I’m so scared of Something Happening and leaving my kids which makes me more down. I could do with loosing some weight and need to lower my cholesterol a bit but I stress going for a walk if I get arm or chest pain. How can you convince yourself these thoughts are just in your head? Has anyone had this experience before? Thank you for letting me vent.

Cardiac anxiety 😟

Petal22 — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 13:23:13 GMT

Hi Lostworrier82,

Wellcome to our forums!

Im sorry you are feeling this way.

Ive also experienced health anxiety to the point that my anxiety became very severe….. my anxiety also turned to other thoughts and I was diagnosed with OCD.

I would also doctor google which only made things worse,I later learned in therapy that this was a compulsion of mine.

I received professional help for what I was experiencing and I’ve now recovered…. I was given many tools in therapy and learned alot of skills.

When you do have these distressing intrusive thoughts try not to give them your attention instead allow them to be there but instead of focusing on the thoughts put your attention on something else in the present moment.

Meditation is really useful it can teach us that we are not our thoughts but the watcher of our thoughts… it takes practice…. Look for a guided meditation for learning to watch your thoughts.

Cardiac anxiety 😟

Beeee — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 23:33:15 GMT

Hello Lostworrier82

I’m sorry to hear how you’re feeling.

Like you and Petal22, I also experience health anxiety. Specifically, I have a heart condition that has been repaired, but worry I about it nonetheless.

Taking steps to improve your health could help you feel more in control of your body and less worried. I have recently joined a gym and find some relief in knowing I’m doing something to improve my health. Perhaps you could start out by going for a short walk and seeing how you feel, or walking with a friend or family member.

As Petal22 also mentioned, when the distressing thoughts do appear, focusing on something else can be helpful. You might turn on some music or a comfort TV show.

Beeee

Cardiac anxiety 😟

missep123 — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 09:07:41 GMT

Hi Lostworrier82,

I have had health related anxiety to do with my heart also! Mine was about my occasional heart palpitations which I never got before. I started googling and then I was worried that I may have a heart condition I never knew about and would spiral. I went to the doctor and got my bloods done and I was all clear. My doctor suggested to me that it may be because of excessive caffeine or not drinking enough water.

Interestingly when I paid more attention to the palpitations (as I never had them before I panicked and paid more attention when I did get them) they were more frequent. After there was an explanation (i.e caffeine and dehydration) they actually started to get less.

Someone once told me that when we are anxious and stressed about something and keep ruminating about it in our minds, our bodies can end up acting as if we are in a constantly stressed state.

I am definitely not a medical professional but I just wanted to say that you are not alone in health anxiety. I also like what Beeee wrote about physical activity to feel more in control in your body, would this be a potential option for you?

We are here for you!

Cardiac anxiety 😟

Lostworrier82 — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 12:00:36 GMT

Hi Beeee

Firstly, thank you for taking the time to reply. Everyone is so nice and to be honest it’s comforting to know you aren’t alone.

I totally agree with what you and Petal22 said. I’m scared but I really think if I start using physical exercise it will definitely help. Plus will help me with my body image issues also.

Also I found your suggestion of watching some of my favourite shows really took me out of the paranoid mindset and I didn’t have any symptoms for a couple of hours which was so nice for once.

I should also say since you all took the time to reply and offer your experience I felt somewhat better today. Not sure if it’s knowing There are people like myself out there.

Hope you and Petal22 have a lovely night.

Thank you again. 😊

Cardiac anxiety 😟

Lostworrier82 — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 12:08:09 GMT

Hi missep123

Thank you for sharing your story with me. Provides much comfort knowing you aren’t alone during these anxious times.

I have also been told previously that what you read say on google regarding a medical condition your mind is so powerful that the next day your body mimics the symptoms. And even though I was told not Read into things i still do. So I’m a work in progress on that side.

I definitely will start physical exercise. I think it will also make me feel much better about my body image and also clear my mind. I panic something bad will happen when exercising but I have to focus on something else like Petal22 suggested and try and get through at least a walk at first.

Thank you again for answering and helping me. I actually felt better after reading the replies. Strange how your mind works.

Have a lovely night. And I’m glad I’m apart of a wonderful community.

Cardiac anxiety 😟

Beeee — Sat, 02 Apr 2022 00:49:30 GMT

Hello Lostworrier82,

I'm glad my suggestion for watching a tv show helped! It's a method I often use myself. And you're definitely not alone in how you feel, please feel free reach out again with updates, I'm eager to hear how your exercise journey is going!

Beeee

Cardiac anxiety 😟

Lostworrier82 — Sun, 03 Apr 2022 06:50:26 GMT

Hi Beee

Thank you for being so sweet, it’s people like you that really help people heal.

Since posting I have been doing so well, I spent a hour or so playing and running around the park with my kids yesterday and funny enough didn’t have symptoms. However today I have had some arm pain and also chest pain this afternoon that I’m trying to not over think and get paranoid about. It’s just a let down as I was doing so well. It could also be that we all had pizza with the family last night which I find I stress over really fatty food lately too. But I can do it and hopefully this chest ache will pass.

Thank you for listening though. I’m looking forward to watching some TV when the kids go to sleep and hopefully will take my mind off of things.

Lostworrier82

Cardiac anxiety 😟

Beeee — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 01:32:00 GMT

Hello again Lostworrier82,

So happy to hear about you running around with your kids and not having any symptoms! This is definitely a major positive step and I hope it's something you remind yourself of when you're worried in the future. I'm also glad to hear that despite having some symptoms after the pizza, you're still feeling optimistic. A positive mindset is really important and often a hard thing to achieve, so once again another thing to be proud of!

Hope you had a relaxing evening : )

Beeee

Cardiac anxiety 😟

contrarymary — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 13:52:53 GMT

i also suffer severe cardiac anxiety. I have had numerous tests and procedures but nothing found. I have been to emergency numerous times with chest pain nothing found. I find that I can make myself worse I feel my heart racing then think I have pain elsewhere and of course get more and more agitated.

i find if I go for a walk it helps, I used to try reading but couldn't concentrate. I go to a cardiologist every year and everything is fine but I still think there is something wrong, she suggested meditation but I could not get the hang of it.

last time I went to emergency the nurse suggested I had mental problems which did not help usually they say it's muscular.

i used to look on google for my symptoms but that makes for worse, I am one of those people who fear the worst eg a headache is a brain tumour

Cardiac anxiety 😟

Beeee — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 08:32:48 GMT

Hello contrarymary,

Thank you for sharing.

I agree that Googling your symptoms only makes things worse! But I'm glad you have found walking to help. Perhaps increasing your walking to daily exercise could help even more.

I'm sorry that you found the nurse's suggestion from your most recent visit unhelpful. I can understand how that might not be what you want to hear from your nurse. However, your cardiologist’s suggestion to meditate is a great suggestion. When I first began meditating, I also found it hard to get the hang of it. I couldn’t stop my thoughts from flooding in an out of my mind. Something that helped me was using a guided meditation app (I used Lojong).

Beeee

Cardiac anxiety 😟

daftestpunk — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 11:15:32 GMT

Hi Lostwarrior82 and all,

Thanks for this thread.

I've been suffering from the same thing in the past two weeks. A couple of Thursdays ago I had a massive anxiety attack, basically had all the symptoms but chest pain. I went to the ER and they weren't very conclusive, they said I didn't have a heart attack and the ECG was apparently fine enough to let me go. Since then I've been anxious basically 24/7. I have had a litany of physical symptoms, like random sharp pains lasting 1-2 seconds below the chest, arm pain, some face pain initially, shortness of breath, palpitations, interrupted sleep (I am normally a VERY good sleeper so this one is worrying), a general anxious feeling that won't go away how hard I try (even listening to calm music, drinking tea), I'm exhausted and now even starting to get depressed.

I got an echocardiogram done and apparently my heart is 100% normal (muscle thicknesses, flow rates, oxygen levels and whatever else). This made me feel better for like one day but then I started worrying that I had cancer because of a shortness of breath and I noticed I'd lost about 3-4kg of weight. That ended up being due to a dodgy bathroom scale so that relieved those thoughts.

I also did the 24hr holter monitor (although towards the end some of the patches were coming off, hope it didn't miss anything...) and I need to wait for those results. I was prescribed valium, though sometimes I don't even think that works because I still wake up with a racing heart etc. I literally had to move in with my parents for a week because I couldn't handle being on my own, god bless them.

Atm I'm trying to stop using doctor google and constantly checking my heart rate, but it's hard. Sorry for the rambling. If anyone else has some tips on how to stop this constant state of anxiousness, it would be much appreciated.

Cardiac anxiety 😟

Lostworrier82 — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 12:34:21 GMT

Hi Contrarymary

Im so sorry to hear you also suffer like me. It’s not a nice feeling, but sharing your story on here will hopefully help. After all these lovely people commented on my post it brought me comfort to know I’m not alone and the advice they offer helped me.

There is nothing worse when you are told it’s mental, it’s not like it just disappears after being told that.

Actually Beeee suggested watching a TV show that you like and that actually helps me. I was doing really well since venting but I relapsed today and I’m feeling all sorts of cardiac issues arm pain etc. it’s a constant cycle.

I really hope things calm down for you. Please share any thoughts on here as it might help you to get it off your chest we are all happy to listen.

sending positive vibes your way.

Cardiac anxiety 😟

Lostworrier82 — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 12:42:02 GMT

Oh daftestpunk, my heart is breaking for you. We are so similar in so many ways. I’m so sorry you are going through all these hurdles. It’s so very hard. Once your mind knows one thing is ok it goes onto something else. Endless cycle.

I actually have a cardiologist appt on Thursday myself. Will hopefully help ease my mind.

One thing that helped me was firstly sharing on this forum. Nice to know you aren’t alone. Also another was Beeee suggested watching a tv show you enjoy. This works wonders. My mind totally forgets all the symptoms and My mind is clear for that time. Maybe try that if you can.

Nothinb wrong with moving back in with your parents for a short time especially if it helps with your anxiety. Plus it’s good to have people around you when you’re in that frame of mind.

im still suffering so I’m not much help except I’m happy to listen if you feel better venting on here. I do hope you can get some proper sleep soon as lack of sleep also doesn’t help wjth your mind set.

Sending positive vibes your way.

Cardiac anxiety 😟

daftestpunk — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 10:02:39 GMT

Yeah, usually watching some youtube videos does the trick. But once that's done, the feelings are back.

I was prescribed medication to take twice a day, I thought I could get away with only using it once but nope. Gonna have to take it twice.

All the best to you, hopefully this venting can help us somewhat.

Cardiac anxiety 😟

missep123 — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 08:14:03 GMT

Hi Lostworrier82,

Thank you so much for keeping us updated because we really care about you and want to support you to make sure you don't feel alone in what you are going through.

You mentioned in your most recent post that you had a cardiologist appointment on Thursday, how did that go?

We are here for you!

Cardiac anxiety 😟

daftestpunk — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 10:32:16 GMT

I got my holter monitor results, they were perfectly fine. It did notice some small periods where my heart raced but there were 0 arrythmias or anything dodgy, so it was due to anxiety/adrenaline. I am having a blood test to check my thyroid, because I still have lots of adrenaline. Otherwise, I am feeling a lot better.

I am sure you will have the same results too, regarding your heart. Our minds are funny things, and they like to play around with us a bit. The arm/chest pain stuff is something I experienced too, but it goes away when you stop thinking about it. The only thing is that it's so difficult not to think about it! But you'll get to that stage one day, and you'll be happy that you did. We are here for you!

Cardiac anxiety 😟

Lostworrier82 — Sat, 23 Apr 2022 10:00:24 GMT

Hi missep123

Gosh I’m so touched. It’s really nice to know there are people out there that care so much and follow up. I’m so happy that I shared my issues.

I did have the appointment. He wasn’t too worried about my pains in chest arm jaw etc and because I had a CT angiogram about nearly two years ago that was clear of calcium etc and my heart results were fine he doesn’t want to do the tests again. I tried so hard to not over think that perhaps something is wrong and now won’t be found but he seems reassuring. I do need to have a stress test in another couple of weeks so let’s see how that goes. But I’m sure that will also be fine. Well I’m praying.

Thanks again. It’s nice to know I can come here to share if I’m feeling really doubtful. I’m trying to stay on the healthy eating road so the more healthy I feel I’m hoping that will help my mind.

I hope things are well for you too.

Cardiac anxiety 😟

Lostworrier82 — Sat, 23 Apr 2022 10:05:06 GMT

Thanks Daftestpunk. I’m so happy to hear your results were all clear and everything is well. Hoping your thyroid test results are also good?

im Having a stress test in the next week or so but like you said when you stop thinking of the pains etc they don’t happen. Mind over matter, however it’s trying to jump over that mind hurdle. But I will get there. I did it before so I know I can do it again.

wishing you all the best. It’s nice to know you aren’t alone in this journey.

Cardiac anxiety 😟

missep123 — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 03:49:13 GMT

Hi Lostworrier82!

Of course! What you are going through is very challenging and your feelings are completely valid.

I know that it can be so hard to overthink after these appointments and my 'bad habit' is that I think I might know more than them so I ruminate after like should they have checked this, should I have asked this etc but then I remind myself that they have years and years of training and experience which makes me feel better.

It really sounds like you are honestly doing everything you can! I hope feeling more healthy will help your mindset too! I find that this is often the case for me too. Something like 'nourish the body so we can nourish the mind'

Please keep us updated!