Heart Anxiety - Struggling

[Patrickj]

Back in 2020, I developed ectopic beats. These are horrible beats that thud in my chest and take my breath away. The worst of them are the flutters – ectopic beats that I have in pairs or sometimes in threes. I had both PVC's and PAV's for those familiar with the terminology. The burden was not necessarily high, but they were there, and very real. Thankfully, I was able to see a cardiologist, who did bloods, a Holter monitor, and an echocardiogram. I was discharged and, over the coming days/weeks, I got better and started living my life again.

About six weeks ago, my ectopic beats returned, likely due to stress, being sicks with two viruses, and drinking three glasses of red wine. I had a bout of those horrible flutters for about 8 hours. I was exhausted and worried. Again, thankfully, I went back to the cardiologist, who did another Holter monitor, 12-Cord ECG, and an echocardiogram. His report was very favourable – structurally, nothing had changed with my heart, which he compared to the echocardiogram in 2020. My heart is working well. During the consultation, he did question a couple of things about my Holter monitor, though dismissed these as ‘artifacts’. Aka, the machine must have glitched. This planted the seed in my mind that those artifacts were actually genuine signs that my heart arteries may have been blocked. I should have asked him there and then, but I didn’t. Perhaps this was foolish, perhaps not. I should note that, at this time, I had no chest pain nor discomfort. The ectopic beats had stopped and I was feeling good.

However, my worry continued. I started getting chest pain, discomfort, fullness, burning sensations all over my skin. Something felt terribly wrong, and my mind turned to clogged arteries. In my mind, it was the only explanation to why I was still having symptoms. I started getting dizzy, I started feeling sick, and I worried that at any moment I was going to drop dead. My sensations were/are very real, and sometimes very painful.

(Continued below)

[Patrickj]

Naturally, I started getting paranoid. I researched on Reddit incessantly, trying to seek reassurance that the tests I had done would rule of CAD (coronary artery disease) or blocked arteries. Of course, responses were mixed. Some said yes, definitely. Others said no, seek further testing – or else! I resented my doctor and the cardiologist because they had failed in their duty to rule out everything. Though, I also noted that a CT-scan or angiogram are very invasive and are associated with risks.

My mind spiralled – more symptoms meant I was encroaching upon the end. I started getting severe panic-attacks. My palpitations hurt. I was going to die. I resisted every urge to seek medical help again, until I relapsed and went to the ER room.

I waited for hours.

I had a chest x-ray, a blood test to detect Troponin (chemicals for a damaged heart), and another 12-Cord ECG. I again glimpsed a strange ‘blip’ on the ECG and the nurse on duty had to consult with a specialist, which made me more anxious. However, all the tests came back normal. The doctor wrote on my report that was ECG was completely normal. Even though I had suffered for weeks with chest pain and discomfort, my Troponin levels were not elevated in the slightest.

So, now, I'm really struggling. I am convinced I have CAD and don't know what to do from here.

[Maisy Nina]

Hey Patrick,

So sorry to hear all of this is causing you anxiety and distress. I have health anxiety at times and I know how hard it is to control. All I can suggest is that if the specialists have told you that your heart is ok, then although it is difficult (I had a neurosurgeon who I didn't believe even after showing me on a CT scan that my surgery outcome was fine and there was nothing to worry about) I guess you have to accept and trust their expertise. Harder said than done, I was in a tailspin thinking I had bone cancer and I wouldn't accept any opinions! Other than that I could only suggest going to another Cardiologist for further testing to confirm that things are ok?

I hope you can feel at ease again soon.