Severe heart anxiety

[Ishfaq-bashir]

I have severe heart anxiety.. Have been thinking almost everyday that I would get heart attack until five years have passed.. But, here I'm well and truly alive though in fear with many panic attacks

[Darkhouse]

I'm so sorry that you are dealing w this, it sounds dreadful. Have you been checked out by a physician to make sure that your heart is healthy? Anxiety is a weird thing, it tells us these worst-case scenarios that for the most part, just aren't true. It doesn't make it any less scary though... Have you tried using breathing techniques? Just like we exercise our bodies to get them strong, we need to exercise our minds to have the skills to call on when anxiety hits. There are lots of breathing techniques out there. I use the 4 square technique. I breathe in for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, breathe out for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, repeat until better. I tap it out on my hand for further grounding in the moment. Meditation also helps to soothe the mind and body. There's lots of good ones on YouTube. A nice type is a type of yoga called yoga nidra which is in-between consciousness and sleep, kind of a sleep meditation. It's very nice. I hope a few of these techniques help you feel better soon...

[Ishfaq-bashir in reply to Darkhouse]

I am time and again told by my doctors my heart is healthy and I'm not nearly at risk of having any kind of cardiac episode.. Got all of my tests related to heart ekgs tmts echo's angiography.. Everything come backs normal.. But my physical symptoms which mimic heart attack don't go anywhere.. As I'm posting you this message my body is shivering my jaw is hurting my left arm is heavy... I'm going crazy with this

[Darkhouse in reply to Ishfaq-bashir]

Breathe... Trust the doctors. Breathe again. Deep belly breaths... Try the 4 square technique. Breathe into your belly so it fills up. Try it....

[Ishfaq-bashir]

I will start this breathing technique religiously from today.. Let's give it a go and see if it works.. Do You have a WhatsApp group where there I people with health anxiety.. I want to connect to people with anxiety.. It helps me

[Catroar]

It is really great to read your post to see I am not the only one! It is interesting that you have been in fear about your heart for five years. I have had panic attacks from just noticing my heartbeat. I am terrified of being diagnosed with cancer or heart disease though someday it will happen. I have very high cholesterol despite a very healthy lifestyle and feel very frustrated. I just stopped my cholesterol medicine because of the side effects. Meditation and other things help me but not always. Hang in there!

[Agora1]

Ishfaq-bashir oh I so hear you and understand what it's like to fear

our own hearts. That was how I was diagnosed with severe anxiety

years ago. My obsession was focused on my heart. Years of running to

the Cardiologist, having EKGs, 24hr monitors. Thinking I was a cardiac

patient made me even more so an invalid. That is until I was convinced

that I could exercise. What?? I joined a Aquacise class at the hospital

for my "just in case" thoughts. Slow but sure, I felt the calming peace

of the water. Fast forward from 2 days a week to 4 then to 6 days a week

exercising, moving faster and more confident.

The more I did, the better I felt. Endorphin levels were high. I felt free

from my demons...Now that my heart anxiety had gone away, Anxiety chose

to give me daily headaches..Took that on with a grain of salt and beat that as

well with Meditation and Breathing exercises. Believe in the power of yourself xx

[Ishfaq-bashir]

The problem is I have been running longs 5 distances almost every second day without even hyper ventilating.. In that respect, I'm excellent.. But for some reason my mind Is not believing I'm good.. May I know what is causing Me jaw pain these days

[SayNOtoPanic]

I so relate to you and it’s pure terror. Truly. You can be told it’s fine see the test and it doesn’t matter. Breathing exercises and meditation to give you some of the mental strength is my best advice. Affirmations to yourself when you meditate that you are strong and healthy and your anxiety is lying to you. Hang in there man. Hugs and warm prayers.

[Ishfaq-bashir]

How long have u been suffering from this terror

[SayNOtoPanic in reply to Ishfaq-bashir]

several years now. I have health anxiety but the heart/cardiac fear became a huge problem the past couple years. Check out on YouTube Dr Claire Weeks Hope and Help for your Nerves book. Really helped me learn to accept the fear and the symptom and as you do that little by little it starts to decrease the anxiety.