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Heart attack symptoms or Anxiety

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 9/24/2018 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

I just wanted to post I seemingly got a back injury when weeding out my garden 2 weeks ago and I had a sharp pain in my upper back. It seems to have moved to my chest above my heart. That seems to have triggered some anxiety attacks. I have since had a dull pain in my chest above my heart. Also had some bad acid reflux wired been waking up the last 3 nights at the same time at 1 a.m. . Also seem to be on edge and when I think about breathing it seems like it's difficult most of the
time. I've also had some other similar symptoms such as dizziness, irritability, feeling of Doom, not wanting to leave my bed. I've gone to a Cardiologist to do a nuclear stress test. Although I had a 90 beats per minute hurry when I started mostly due to nerves the EKG came back normal but the doctor said I was stayed on for short time for some of my age 28 years old. I'm going tomorrow to get some follow-up tests and make sure my heart is okay.

Has anyone else had any of these symptoms that made them feel like they have to go to the hospital?

I look forward to being part of the community and learning from all of your guys experience. And contribute some mine.

I have a fair share of experience with Lexapro as I was on it for a year. I'd love to discuss the pros and cons of that medication. Also I know of some natural substances that help out such as kavinace and calm PRT.
Posted 9/25/2018 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
I was in a bad marriage for a number of years, and some months I'll say into that, I stated having chest pain. I went to the heart doctor and got EKG's, etc., and they said there was no problem with my heart, that it was the chest muscles around the heart.

I went to several heart doctors like that over several years or more, with the chest pain on a pretty regular basis. When the bad marriage was over, the chest pain disappeared immediately, and I haven't had it in the almost 10 years since.

So it was the anxiety and stress from the bad marriage which was causing me chest pains. The pain was probably from the blood vessels around my heart constricting, and causing pain from lack of blood supply. But it wasn't a heart problem.

With your already having anxiety, it's possibly causing the blood vessels in the muscles around your heart to constrict, possibly causing low to severe pain, depending how long the stress/anxiety has been going on, and how severe.

If you can get the anxiety/stress under better control, the chest pain may lessen or go away, as it did in my case with the bad marriage.

I keep a heating pad plugged in and on my bed, and find that the heat on my chest, or back if that's what's hurting me, expands the blood vessels and lessens the pain.

Ice packet bought at a drug store also helps my back, by reducing the inflammation. I also see a chiropractor who puts my back into place which helps immensely.
Posted 9/25/2018 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of your injury, and the return of anxiety and symptoms it has caused you. It is not unusual for an illness/injury to trigger worry regarding our health...

...still it is good that you are having any heart related issues ruled out, if nothing else than for peace of mind. smile

Since your EKG returned favorably, you will likely have the same result with the test you are having tomorrow as well. When you say you weren't able to stay with your treadmill test for long, I am assuming that this was due to symptoms...shortness of breath/dizziness? This was likely due to being anxious...so try not to be worried about your doctor's observation.

Once you have ruled out any organic issues..then you can get to work with making a plan of action for an anxiety managment again. Revisiting the idea of meds...and/or therapy is something you can discuss with your doctor...

...and self help is something that should be an ongoing practice IMO...so be sure to see our Resources at the top of the main forum page here for great material that you can get started on right away!

We are glad you've found us and look forward to getting to know you better. Let us know how it goes tomorrow, and how we can be of further support!

Talk soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 9/25/2018 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both.
It seems my ticker is in good shape.
I appreciate you all putting my mind at ease.
I wish I could figure out this shortness of breath but I'm sure it is anxiety.
It has been going on for a week now.
But I have been under a lot of emotional stress as well (marriage included).
Any tips on helping out the with breathing?
Posted 9/25/2018 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
/www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

Here is the link to our Resources. There is great material here! I would start with the 'Stress Relieving Exercises' link. It has both breathing and progressive muscle relaxation instructions that are very effective. Try the meditation videos as well...and see what works best for you.

Glad to hear that your tests went well!

Peace and progress!

S.C.
Posted 9/25/2018 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
The Mayoclinic.org. says about dizziness:

"Anxiety disorders. Certain anxiety disorders may cause lightheadedness or a woozy feeling often referred to as dizziness. These include panic attacks and a fear of leaving home or being in large, open spaces (agoraphobia)."

Anxietycentra.com says about shortness of breath:

"Shortness of breath may precede, accompany, or follow an escalation of other anxiety sensations and symptoms, or occur by itself.
"Shortness of breath can precede, accompany, or follow an episode of nervousness, fear, and elevated stress, or occur ‘out of the blue’ and for no apparent reason."

I would try to find some help for the anxiety.
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