5 day ECG

[Mcminn1]

My doctor said he will do a 5 day ECG to put my mind at ease I get horrible rush feelings in my chest even when I'm not panicking. Feels like my heart goes slow then fast ect. Worrys me to hell. I've had every other test bloods urine ect I'm convinced but the doctors think it's anxiety. I don't know how to cope waiting for it now

[cherub2012]

Hello there,

My husband suffers from chest pain too, it began over a year ago following a really traumatic time in our lives. These pains strike at anytime, sometimes a sharp stabbing, other times its an ache, in all different areas of his chest around his heart, his heart will race and he has cold sweats too from panicking he's about to die. We visited our local hospital , saw an out of hours GP, our own GP, had 2 ECG's, a 24 hour and 5 day heart monitor, to be told his heart is perfectly fine and his symptoms are anxiety. Like you he isn't always anxious when it happens and it really freaks him out. My husband sees a counsellor which has helped. I always try to help him focus on the fact that no matter how bad the pains are, he does not die and wakes up every morning so he beats anxiety , it does not beat him, but its so hard when your own body is torturing you. A specialist we saw explained to us that anxiety causes a hyper sensitivity which leads to your body overreacting to the slightest perceived threat (even thoughts in your own mind) sending your body into fight or flight mode, flooding your body with chemicals which are great if you are going to fight to death or run away from a stampeding rhino but are quite unhelpful lying in bed at 3am cos those muscles are all fired up with nothing to do. I have found that relaxation and breathing techniques help also as daft as it might sound exercising helps to reassure my husband his heart is working well and to use those chemicals hanging around ( obviously get the all clear for any heart problems first) . We are struggling just like you and I hope it helps to know you are not alone.

Best Wishes

Tammy