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So this is where I am at

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Posted 2/7/2014 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
I have pretty much gotten all of my health fears under control except for the fear of having a sudden cardiac arrest/death

I still keep thinking if healthy athletes can just drop dead from it so can I being far less healthy than them

Is it at all possible to have a normal ekg and 24 hour holter monitor but still suffer a cardiac arrest?

Does an ekg and holter monitor rule out everything that could cause a cardiac arrest?

Please I'm in really bad shape today
Posted 2/7/2014 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know the answer to your question, but I do know that life is full of uncertainties. I could eat healthy everyday and exercise, but get hit by a bus tomorrow! You have to try to live in the here and now, as hard as that may be. I worry, not so much about myself, but about my Mom. But I know that my worrying myself sick won't make her live any longer and just makes "today" miserable. And if I had a choice as to how to die, I'd rather drop dead of a sudden heart attack than to die of a painful prolonged illness. I guess we all have to learn to look at things in new ways so that we don't drive ourselves crazy with fear and make ourselves literally sick. I speak from experience....
I do feel for you and understand. I know it's hard, but we have no choice but to try and change our thinking.
hugs!!
janet
Posted 2/7/2014 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
There is no guarantee against heart attack much like there is no guarantee against getting struck by a bus when crossing the street.

One thing I have been doing is journaling. Sifting through my thoughts of the why am I am  suffering from this and what am I am doing to make it worse? What I've found is that I do this to feel guarded and prepared for what happened to my grandmother (she died of a heart attack). I constantly monitor my heart for any perceived misstep. In the end, I'm not helping myself , I'm making things worse.

I have found that positive self talk helps immensely. I've also begun telling myself " my heart is healthy, my heart is strong". I tell myself this over and over and over everyday. Eventually by thinking this it'll sink in and hopefully kick out some of the fear thoughts.

When the anxiety tries to take over, repeat, "I am OK!"  I am OK!" and practice controlling your breathing at the same time.

Be well,

 

Kitt

Posted 2/7/2014 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
I like Kitt's mantras. She and S.C. always have very helpful info!

Living in the present and accepting that part of living includes a sense of uncertainty goes a long way towards at least helping to alleviate some of that anxiety.



M.
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