I don't understand it.

[Lightattheend]

I have so much anxiety and stress over my heart that I can't focus on anything but it. I'm to the point where I wanna quit my job and just give up. All I do is think of it 24/7. The anxiety I have over my heart health is unbelievable. All test have come back good and shows that I have no heart issues but I can't stop obsessing over it 😢😢😢 HEART, HEART, HEART, HEART , HEART. That's all that's ever on my mind...

[jkl5500]

I was wondering - did someone close to you die of a heart attack?

[Lightattheend in reply to jkl5500]

Yes a family friend did.

[jkl5500 in reply to Lightattheend]

That's going to plant the idea in your mind. When I was a teenager, I was getting vague chest pains (along with my first bout of depression and anxiety). Then the NFL player Chuck Hughes died of a heart attack during a game. (This is a LONG time ago.) So I really couldn't get this out of my head. My doc reassured me at the time that all the tests turned out fine. He was right, because I'm now 63, and have no heart trouble whatsoever. I make a point of exercising at least 5 days a week, and watch what I eat. A talk with your doc on this subject (or maybe a therapist) would be very helpful for you.

[Lightattheend in reply to jkl5500]

Thank you.

[KayBeck]

I had this fear this week too. I read about some famous person having a heart attack and it was all I could think of to the point of my chest hurting badly. I could barely sleep. I’m trying meditation for my anxiety right now and it’s helping but it’s no cure. Had the worse panic attack at work today... hope yours gets better.

[Lightattheend in reply to KayBeck]

I do the same when hearing/knowing of something happening to someone. Thank U much.

[KayBeck in reply to Lightattheend]

No thank you. We always think we’re alone.

[Hidden]

I am hoping you can find peace of mind. In truth we need to find a way to enjoy our life. I believe in reality the issue we are dealing with as we get older will become harder to manage if we dont. Sadly none of us are promised tomorrow. Anything could happen. Thats life and it sucks but its real. Lets try together to enjoy the moments we can. If you are someone of faith..enjoy the journey on the way to the next destination. A place that one day..there will be no more sadness. No more fear.

If you are not a spiritual person..I strongly urge you to become one.

If not for my faith..I dont know how i would go on. For me..I have hope. How anyone who isnt a believer copes with daily life is beyond me. Wishing you Peace and Joy my friend.

[Lightattheend in reply to Hidden]

I appreciate those words.

[Hidden]

Imagines with my happy childhood play in front of my eyes. When time passed and I grew up I was more and more unhappy, with physical manifestation of depression and anxiety. Today I'm lost in this life, feeling that I missed somewhere in the road of life my purpose in this life.

[Megsamoo]

I am completely the same except for with CANCER!!!! It’s all I can think about it consumes my life and I can’t live anymore!!!! It’s horrible!!! I make myself dizzy, nauseated, and just feel horrible everyday due to the anxiety!

[Lightattheend in reply to Megsamoo]

It's just awful. I try to distract myself to no avail.

[Megsamoo in reply to Lightattheend]

I do too but mind goes right back to it and can’t atop thinking about it!

[Tikirob]

I’ve recently had an episode of this and as an anxiety sufferer it has happened lots of time. There is no answer to the why just so your mind keeps going there. I have a heart! And I notice this! And what if! And why! Ahhhhhh....One time I remember focusing on my heart so much and checking my pulse my dad seeing I was upset asked me what I was doing. Bewildered I turned to him and said, “ Dad, my heart it’s.......beating!” and without missing a beat he responded, “Well that’s a good thing.”

Overtime if you push yourself to focus on other tasks - even simple ones - like doing dishes, walking to the store, cooking, you may find that you are not as focused on your heart. I find activity a decent distraction in dealing with my obsessive thoughts. Also give yourself a moment to accept your heart health. Just sit with the good news and be mindful of it. You will actually resist the good news because the anxiety feeds on uncertainty.

[Lightattheend in reply to Tikirob]

Thank U.

[3wooddriver]

Try reading The Worry Cure. It was very helpful to me. Theres an audiobook or CD too I believe.

Doing puzzles have helped me, golf, anything to keep my mind occupied but not like frantically doing things.

Hope that helps. Hang in there.

[Lightattheend in reply to 3wooddriver]

Thanks. I will definitely look for that book.

[Chappy12]

Hi this was me last year..I stopped sleeping all together and made my self so I'll...I to had echocardiogram and ecgs...my friend had died of multiple strokes and heart failure a few mths prior and during the summer two family members passed away my anxiety was at an all time high...a Dr asked me if I was constantly checking my pulse etc and I said yes..he then told me he used to be the same...it's obsessive thinking and worrying ..I have OCD.so I know we're my thoughts lie...I wouldn't go out etc..I just took it easy and still do.im not as obsessive about my heart but I do still worry a bit..went to London yesterday with no anxiety..was really proud of myself..small steps everyday xx

[Lightattheend in reply to Chappy12]

Well congrats on the trip without anxiety. That's a super plus. I too constantly check my pulse and blood pressure. I have a blood pressure monitor that I carry everywhere I go. It's tiring. The worry. The thoughts. The fear. It's all day every day. I'm OCD in other ways also. I pray for better days.

[Lightattheend in reply to Chappy12]

Thank U by the way...

[Chappy12 in reply to Lightattheend]

I would never have a BP monitor in my house..I would be lethal..my mum's a nurse and she said our BP can be high one minute and normal the next..it's changing constantly day and night..she's had bp of 200/100 with which she had a horrific headache..she's on meds now ..she doesn't obssess over it ...I think that's were our problem lies .OCD is a liar..remember that xx

[Delmaria111]

I understand completely. Im the same way. Lately though ive been obsessing over my daughter. She lives with my parents in wahsington missouri and i live with my boyfriend in springfield. When im with one, all i can do is tbink of the other most of the time. Thought loops really suck and unfortunately they dont make a pill for it :/ but its not wprth giving up. Hang in there! Im hanging in there too. Just remind yourself theyre thoughts and they cant hurt you. Thats what im trying to do. The anxiety and restlessness that comes with going back and forth from bf to daughter is ridiculous. I almost considered doing counseling but i know what theyd advise. Distraction. I try, but it almost never works. Just hang in there hunny, youre not alone xox

[Lightattheend in reply to Delmaria111]

Thank you!

[Lightattheend in reply to Delmaria111]

Do U experience palpitations also?

[Delmaria111 in reply to Lightattheend]

I do

[Delmaria111]

Does medication for ocd help obsessive thought pattern loops, guys? Is that relaly a thing?