Chest pain/heart attack and anxiety

[Dshadzz07]

Hi, I’m 20 year old man. I’ve suffered with anxiety a while but like don’t want to blow this off to it but it could be. So I had this sudden crushing chest pain 2 days ago, went into instant panic attack. Sat down with my mum and could talk and walk around but was fearing I was having a heart attack. We called 111 spoke with a dr after and they said I shouldn’t be worried despite the symptoms. I also had an Echocardiogram, ECG and bloods done in the last two months and all were great even seen a cardiologist but I’m still having this sudden pain come on and off over the last couple days. Is it possible that I’ve had a heart attack, is it my anxiety, just genuinely worried.

[Obscured]

Hi Dshadzz07. I am so sorry you had to go through that, but I am glad your test results came out well. Of course, I am not a doctor, but it sounds a lot like the symptoms of a panic attack. When I had my first one, I was also convinced that I was having a heart attack. You should definitely talk to your doctor so they can make sure that there is nothing wrong with your heart. After my first panic attack, the trauma and scary feelings stayed with me for months. I just had to keep reminding myself that I was not dying and that the feelings would eventually pass. Now I take anti-anxiety medication and it helps quite a bit. I hope that you can get the support you need and that you will feel better soon.

[Agora1]

Hi Dshadzz07, the chances of you having a heart attack at your age are slim.You did the right thing by having it checked out and came out with a clean bill

of health.

I know that doesn't stop the worrying when the pain re-appears.

If and when this does happen, think back to what you might have done the

day before or even how you held your posture. When we are anxious, we

hold our body in a state of fight or flight position. That stresses the muscles

throughout our body and can cause physical pain. Not from the heart but

from the muscles themselves.

A warm relaxing bath, meditation, heat wrap around the shoulders can help

relax those chest wall muscles which most likely are causing the pain.

Breathe and drop your shoulders away from your ears. Sit and Stand in a good

position not allowing your head and neck to jut forward. Breathe again.

When it's not the heart, things we change in our lives can have a positive outcome

on how we feel both physically and mentally. I wish you well and of course if any

thing changes, your doctor should be the one to call first. xx

[Dshadzz07 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you very much. Yeah I just wanted to hear other people’s thoughts on it and I thank you for your supportive suggestions. Just the anxiety gets to me, I should be thinking realistically a heart attack can’t last 3 days with me still walking and talking anyways. Just need to relax. ❤️