Cardiac Problem or Health Anxiety????

[PaNaRaH]

Hello there! So, I've been anxious about my health lately. I did go to the ER for chest pain that lasted about 9-10 hrs. Had an ECG done and it came out normal. A few days after ER, I had unusual chest tightness and felt like there was something stuck in my throat. This discomfort was relieved by maintaining a certain position. This also occurred after I ate or drank anything for a couple of days but eased away on its own. I told my PCP about this and she said as long as it's gone, it should be fine. I had a CBC blood test and that was fine as well. She then referred me to a Gastroenterologist. Appt is next week. I also have hiccups that occur sporatiaclly (come in twos usually) throughout the day though initially, it was only after I ate or drank. Apparently hiccups can be caused by anxiety too? I do experience left arm aches and occasional jaw soreness or twinges. I have also started experiencing palpitations once or twice a day now and I'm not sure if it's because I'm anxious about heart problems? I've recently been freaking out about cardiac issues and can't differentiate whats anxiety and whats not. I'm 19 and I don't know how to go about dealing with this haha. Thanks!
Aaaand, I occasionally feel like my lungs aren't getting enough air when I try to take a deep breath. This isn't continuous. Lasts around 2-3 hours max.

 

[matisworried]

everything you're experiencing can be caused by anxiety. i've experienced most of those symptoms at one point or another due to it.

a few things to remember: first and foremost... at your age, the chances of having a heart attack are about the same as getting hit by a meteor while crossing the street... especially after having clear labs and an ECG. another thing, heart-related pain doesn't changed based on position - if that was truly the cause of your pain, it wouldn't matter if you were sitting up, lying down or doing a handstand. it would also continue to get worse more than likely. what you were experiencing was likely muscular or acid reflux. (you said it happened after you ate, right?) the jaw soreness is likely stress/anxiety-based. many people clench their jaws and don't even know it when they're at a heightened state. the arm pain is more likely to be unrelated muscle strain than heart pain. even crazier, it's possible all of your symptoms are being manifested by your brain after you read the symptoms of a heart attack somewhere and started worrying about it. when that happens, the symptoms are very much real, but they're not dangerous - it's your brain playing tricks on your body.

 

[bin_tenn]

Agreed, all those symptoms can be caused by anxiety / excess stress. How active are you (e.g. regular exercise), and do you tend to hold a phone with, or prop yourself up on, your left arm? I get a lot of aches and pains in my left arm / shoulder / left side of neck. I'm not very physically active - I get up and around regularly, but I don't stretch and exercise. That leads to muscle tension, and I also prop myself up on my left arm and sleep on my left side most nights. That will cause minor and / or temporary nerve or muscle pains.

 

[PaNaRaH]

I walk a loooot when I'm on my university campus from class to class, up and down the stairs. I dont walk much other than that. (Kinda worried something will happen if I do, because of the palpitations I ger 'randomly') I'm not too sure if I sleep on my left side? I alterate positions throughout the night I think.

 

[bin_tenn]

Walking a lot won't really be working out your back / shoulder muscles... I understand the worry about palpitations, but they are usually harmless. Sounds like yours are, since your doc has checked things out. I've had a fairly recent stress test and echo which were clear, as well as a second exam with the cardiologist who assured me I have nothing to worry about. Yet I still have trouble exercising and moving too much because of those palpitations.