Scared

[lulu91]

So since yesterday I been having a sharp pain come and go in my right arm I felt it yesterday then my heart started racing (I have svt) not sure if I was anxious or svt but I called an ambulance I thought I was having a heart attack :/ im a 23 yr old female can it be a warning I might have one or could it be something else

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Lulu

So what did the hospital say when ambulance took you to A & E?

I think we have all been scared at some point, I certainly have and there is nothing more scary that a heart problem, because you can't explain it, no-one else can feel it and yet you know it's there.

Any sort of attack be it AF or SVT is very scary, you need to talk to your cardiologist, or ring him/her if necessary and tell them how you feel, I am sure they will be able to put your mind at rest

I'm not medically qualified, but I would have hoped that if you have been diagnosed with SVT they have already done all the tests etc on your heart, so at your age a heart attack in a healthy heart is fairly unlikely.

Be well

Ian

[lulu91 in reply to Beancounter]

Thank you for responding ! I appreciate it and they did not take me to the hospital beacuse my heart rate came back down they said my ekg and blood pressure was fine they just had me take my meds and yes that sounds like a good idea ill probably give my cardiologist a call tmrw if I dont feel better yes it is highly unlikely but I get scared cause for the past 2 months all I do is stay home and get scared im unhealthy but im not over weight I guess it would make sense if I was inactive and eating horrible for much longer ugh I guess im just a worrier thank you again be well

[Beancounter Volunteer in reply to lulu91]

Hi Lulu, from the use of EKG I am guessing you are in the USA?, only we call it an ECG on this side of the puddle, so may I share a couple of things?

I'm a tad older than you (ahemmm ), male (you might have guessed that from the photo) and like you have been diagnosed with a long term and at present not cured heart condition, mine is Atrial Fibrilation, and yours is SVT both have fairly similar symptoms I think it's fair to say, and both have similar treatment plans, although they do differ a little.

The point here is that the diagnosis is the really really scary part, but honestly? it just gets better from there on in, I always say that people go through 3 phases, the first immediately after diagnosis is just plain scared, I know I was, I came home re-wrote my will wrote letters to my children, and got ready to die, didn't matter how often anyone told me I wasn't I knew I was going to die. At that stage I couldn't listen if that makes sense, I knew it was all over.

That lasted several months for me, and then I discovered the forums (like this one) where other people with the same condition talked and shared thoughts and ideas, and slowly, very slowy, too slowly it sunk in that I was being treated, I had the best possible care, and that just maybe I was going to survive this. I call this phase 2, where you are medicated and coming to terms with the condition.

What happens next is knowledge, you start reading all the websites about your condition, you become somewhat of an expert and ask probing questions of your cardiologist, and then you realise that you are not surviving, anymore, not marking time while your condition gets the better of you, but living, really living DESPITE the condition.

That's phase 3, and it will come sooner than you think, right now I am guessing you are coming out of 1 and into 2, this forum and others will help you move to 3, and let's face it 23 years old, a really pretty girl from your picture, your whole life is in front of you waiting to be discovered.

I know you can't see that now, but you will come through, you will feel much better than you do now, and you will start living again.

You are going to have an amazing life and it's all ahead of you, and tomorrow is day one of that new life. Don't sit at home anymore, start reading and researching, and then welcome back to the land of the living. Come on in the water's lovely

Be well

Ian

[sann in reply to Beancounter]

Well done Ian that was indeed something talking a bout lifting you when u are down you certainley do not only with new people but with me as well glad I can on this site and all you lovely people.Thanks

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Beancounter]

Ian - Has anyone ever told you how lovely you are? An excellent reply to Lulu.

[jan-ran in reply to Beancounter]

Awww, that's just lovely Ian. Aren't we all lucky to have this forum, and such super encouraging people to talk to? Welcome Lulu, you'll fit right in here.

JanR

[BobD Volunteer]

Bloody Hell Ian that was a hell of a sermon but Lulu believe every word of it. I'm just sorry I didn't write it.

Bob

[rosyG]

amazing Ian- what more is there to say!! I agree with Ian that it's good to check with your cardiologist but it may help to know ( I am not medically qualified) that classic heart attack symptoms often involve pain travelling down the left arm rather than the right- that's not to say you shouldn't always seek medical advice if unsure but the ambulance crew are very capable at diagnosis so it sounds as if you were fine

Some people on this forum know some excellent meditations that you might try when your heart starts to race- hoping they will send you links

best wishes

Rosemary

[monsoon17]

Wise words ian, ditto bobd, likewise rose. There is a but. After numerous test and investigations, I was told my heart was healthy and it was highly unlikely I would have an heart attack any time soon, at least 10years. 3 months later I had a heart attack. The paramedics were convinced it was indigestion and the ecg was fine, although they did comment that it sometimes does not work. Anyway, my point is, if worried, get advice as was said before. Also, I am 21/2 times your age. As you have been diagnosed with heart disease I think you should err on the side of caution.

[lulu91 in reply to monsoon17]

Thx for your reply and you said your how old??? Im 23 yrs old idk im thinking maybe I slept wrong :/ its been two days it comes and goes

[Hidden]

Hi Lulu,

Just applauding Ian for such great advice. Of course you should see your cardiologist if you're worried, just to check everything out. I sincerely hope it's just a pulled muscle or ligament. I remember worrying terribly about my health when I was young and now I wish I'd had a forum like this to set my mind at rest. You're very young and hopefully you'll soon be back enjoying life as you should.

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Lulu - Ian's reply to you is spot on and how most of us felt at one time. He's so right in saying that you come through it all with the confidence that despite the AF you're going to be ok and live life to the full again. Please keep in contact with the forum and let us know how you get on. If you get a period where your symptoms make you really anxious again talk to us on here. We'll help as much as we can and you are not alone, we are here for you at any time.

Big healing hug.

Jean

[Annaelizabeth]

There you are Lulu, lovely people lovely advice and help, wonderful to know you are not alone, such a big part of coming to terms with AF, it really helps with the wobbles!