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why do i always think I am going to have a heart attack

contrarymary
Community Member
I am 60 years and always think I am going to have a heart attack.  I do not have any problems with my heart had plenty tests - GP says the chest pains I keep having are anxiety/stress of course as soom as i have a pain in chest i panic which of course doesnt help.  GP says learn to accept nothing wrong with heart - easier said than done.  I can get a pain in morning after some stress and during the course of day gets worse end up at doctors he does ecg nothing shows i then feel better for a while.  Any advice re this anxiety
23 Replies 23

Breaks my heart reading your posts mate.

I am 40 years old and in the same situation as you.

Since i was about 25, have been getting chest pain, heart palpitations, rapid heartbeat, and constant anxiety about it all.

Like you, i have had every test done on my ticker, and all looks normal. Have been to the ER dozens of times because of my heart and the panic attacks that come with it.

I woke up this morning and had a band of pain across my chest from the minute i opened my eyes, and have been on edge ever since.

Really at a loss as to how to deal with this as it impacts virtually every aspect of life.

If you ever find a way to deal with it, let us know as i will check in on this thread often.

CalmCat
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hi Midean,

Your post is so heartfelt thanks so much for sharing.

Have you gone to your family GP to make sure everything is okay?

When I used to get really bad anxiety my heart would go out of control; I just had to stop and breathe.

Looking forward to hearing back from you.

Regards,

Doz

Hi

thanks for your response.

i have been to my GP on numerous occasions he does the usual blood tests and other hear tests nothing to be found.

went to emergency last week with chest pain and they did all the tests nothing found and referred my back to my GP

GP and hospital reckon it is stress, I can get agitated and it erupts from there and doctor google does not help.

going to see a cardiologist next week.

Sarahbelle
Community Member

Hello All,

I also suffer health anxiety and the current situation does not help where my mind goes straight to symptoms and the anxiety and feelings become so strong.

My tummy and digestive system get a workout and feel other physical symptoms which can be scary. I have taken to drinking ginger/lemon tea and I find it does give me some relief and I have a chamomile and honey tea at bedtime.

Might help you too.

Hope you have a good day, Sarahbelle.

contrarymary
Community Member

Hi

I managed to get a late appointments with cardiologist reassured me I don't have heart problems in good working order.

Chest pains are stress and anxiety related and it's something I have to learn to live with. I bit hard when pacing floor in night.

Looking for help on how to combat the physical symptoms of stress and anxiety

Hi ContraryMary

Its always nice too hear good news! (with your cardiologist)...You wrote a great post on Annabay's 'What physical feelings of anxiety do you get' thread...and thankyou for sharing what you have been going through!

Our adrenaline levels can sometimes give us heart palpitations which are awful to have. You dont have live with this as you mentioned....These physical feelings of anxiety do reduce with patience...time and strong desire to heal

any questions are always welcome

my kind thoughts

Paul

contrarymary
Community Member

I thought I would update everyone on how it's going following on from my post.

This original post was in 2016. Things haven't changed much still think every chest pain is a heart attack and have been to emergency on numerous occasions they do all the tests and of course found nothing wrong

My GP referred me to a psychologist but they were more interested in my fear of the ocean and not being to touch the bottom. My GP says there is nothing wrong with me and that I need to accept that.

I have been keeping a diary of events and it always seem to happen at around 10.00am or midnight and also if I read I bed till around midnight I sleep till around 7 but if I put the light of at 10am I wake at3am a can't get back to sleep

Any ideas on how to cope wecomw

Hello contrarymary

thankyou for taking the time to post back...Just incase you missed it in my post above there is an excellent thread topic written by a poster last year. I hope it is helpful. Just click on the link below 🙂

What physical feelings of anxiety do you get?

I have also had the heart palpitations/chest pain for a long time like yourself in the late evening...They can be awful to have

any questions are always welcome contrarymary

I hope you have a good weekend....Paul

Guest_0753
Community Member

Hello ContraryMary,

That must be quite stressful to constantly think that. It is good to hear you see a GP about it straight away so it doesn't get out of hand. I think we do start to worry about those health problems once we hit a certain age. My recommendation could be to see a Counsellor for your mind health in relation to the idea of age playing a part around physical problems. Example, heart attacks and trying to change mindset around it as I think this is where is concern might lie.

Good luck 🙂

contrarymary
Community Member

It's hard to believe it's been over 5 years since I made the original post it was my first one.

i still panic when I get a pain in my chest but try not to rush to emergency. I have had numerous tests on my heart annually and nothing is found it's all clear. I have put it down to health anxiety and try to live with it. I did get a mental health plan and had a couple of sessions with a phycologist but did not seem to make a connection with them but GP won't refer me to someone else and I need to persevere

I try and keep occupied doing crosswords or jigsaws but still have bad days, usually at night when the rest of the house is asleep, I lie awake and of course get more and more anxious.

thats my update