freaking out-obsessed with my heart rate

Yes, indeed.

At one point, I had a blood pressure cuff in my house and in my car. I would come on here like, "OMG, my heart rate is 170!"

My husband used to be the same way.

If you can find a way to do it, stop checking so often. Even if you resist every other time you get the urge, you'll be improving.

It's been a week since I checked mine personally. (Though it's been checked at the dr's office a couple times.)

The thing is - we aren't supposed to know our heart rate! We weren't designed/born with the ability to know that. Our body alerts us when something serious is wrong without our having to monitor it so closely.

It's hard for us to believe with this disorder, but our body is pretty good at looking out for itself.

As far as chest tightness and difficulty breathing, those are pretty classic panic symptoms. Have you tried breathing exercises?

Mam we have all done this so many time it cant be calculated,
there is nothing wrong with your body, it's all in our head's.
Peace

Larry ***

I have wrote about fear here many times, I know one concept
wont work for everyone, but we seem to all have a very fragile
system where fear is concerned, its a little preachy but if you want my concept my e-mail is available and you may contact me.
Peace

Larry ***