In today's episode of "I think I'm having a heart attack"...

[NobodyCares]

Any little sensation or discomfort in my chest, I think is a heart attack and I'm going to die.

Today I was walking to my car after work and felt this strange feeling in the lower, outer portion of the left side of my chest. As I felt it, I also felt a pricking feeling in the inside of my left elbow. It felt like my arteries were choking, or something. Ever gulp too much water at once and it feels like you're choking on it for a second? That's what it was like, but deep in my chest.

No other heart attack type things. No shortness of breath, no crushing chest pain, I did feel nauseous but I think that was the "Oh no I don't want to die" factor. The simultaneous pricking feeling in my left elbow doesn't help... But a lot of things come with that feeling. Like if I'm anxious or if I have to use the restroom badly, I'll also feel tingly in inside of my left elbow. I don't know if that's weird or what...

I know the only way to free myself of these thoughts is to get the extra weight I'm carrying off me, but I'm at the point where I'm afraid to exercise. My doctor says I'm fine but my brain won't listen.

 

[bin_tenn]

I know this feeling all too well. I'm significantly better off than I used to be, but those thoughts still exist. I felt "funny" while out and about today - UNTIL I met up with some old coworkers for lunch. Suddenly I forgot all about my "symptoms" and I was fine. It happens.

 

[overthinkerella]

yes it happens.

i do get a hiccup at the heart feeling, and sometimes a 1 sec pain at the heart area. it can sometimes be on the left side of the chest jus below the breast, or in the middle at the top of the left breast.. sometimes when im exercising or jogging, a tug at the throat feel also happens.. or when lying down, a tugging feel at the throat.

but it happens here and then, for years and each occurrence last about 1-2 seconds altho sometimes a few times a day.

been living with this for years and so far, no heart attack!

monitor yourself for about 2 weeks and see the frequency. if you are concern, get it check out at with a doctor. otherwise, a heart attack shud be a stabbing pain that lasts much longer. for that, you need to go ER immediately.

also, food intake is very impt. cut down on oily fatty food, and have more greens! reduce any chances of having clogged arteries

 

[northern]

Can definitely empathise - though I actually have an opposing perspective that sometimes saves me from stress. Our bodies can have lots of issues, but if a doctor (especially a specialist) has said your cardio-system is running fine, then exercise can't really do you harm. This isn't medical advice, but just from a practical point of view... we're kind of evolved to avoid over-exerting ourselves. Maybe the worse case scenario is vomiting, fainting, or dehydration. But none of those will stop or damage your heart if you take time to rest and drink fluids. I always feel safest exercising because the reality is, if I'm able to continue running, lifting, etc. then it's unlikely the symptoms are serious. Just don't ignore significant pain - you also can always exercise in view of others if it helps you worry less.

 

[Jonathan123]

Chest pains are one of anxiety's biggest symptoms and one of which so many complain. I can only say that if it was a heart attack you would not be posting on here! In anxiety the chest muscles tend to contract giving the impression of being unable to take deep breaths. This can be very frightening, but like all Mr. Anxiety's little tricks it's harmless. But the fear this engenders in an anxiety sufferer leads to more fear and more symptoms. I know I flog this to death, but acceptance is still the answer.
Acceptance without comment and adding fear to fear.

 

[cheer_mom]

I am right there with you. I always think I am going to have a heart attack. I am sitting up right now because my chest had a weird sensation. Nice to know we aren't alone.

 

[bin_tenn]

I am right there with you. I always think I am going to have a heart attack. I am sitting up right now because my chest had a weird sensation. Nice to know we aren't alone.

That still happens to me occasionally, sitting up later than planned at night because a strange sensation in my chest triggers anxiety. It is indeed nice to know we're not alone, at least.

 

[NobodyCares]

Thank you all for your warm and thoughtful replies. I'm still kicking, clearly.

 

[SB2017]

This happens to me a lot! Sometimes I think back to all the times I thought I was having a heart attack, and realize it was always nothing. My primary doc is also a cardiologist so I get EKGs and Echos more often than most people. Yet, every sensation freaks me out!