Cardiac anxiety 😟

[Lostworrier82]

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.

[Beeee]

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

[daftestpunk]

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.

[Lostworrier82]

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.

[Lostworrier82]

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.

[daftestpunk]

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.

[missep123]

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!

[daftestpunk]

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!

[Lostworrier82]

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.

[Lostworrier82]

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.

[missep123]

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!