Severe anxiety always thinking I’m having a heart attack

[TJT188]

Hi, I have been having chest pains for about a week now. I’m constantly thinking that I’m having a heart attack. My anxiety is the worst it has been in years. Is it possible to have a heart attack for a week straight? I’m always thinking if the worst, however I do have some acid reflux and heartburn going on as well, I do understand the GERD can last for days but I’ve never been diagnosed with it. Recently I just lost my mother about 2 weeks ago due to dementia and Alzheimer’s. Ever since my mother died I'v been having severe anxiety attacks and panic attacks. Can someone please assure me that this is normal when dealing with something like this? Has anyone ever experienced these symptoms? Please, someone help me.

[FearIsALiar]

This is most likely caused by your acid reflux, heartburn and anxiety!

I thought I’d share a coping skill with you. I read it in one of my anxiety books. So someone in the book had fear of having a heart attack and they thought they were having one (they werent, it was just anxiety’s physical symptoms) the therapist and doctor told him to run up a flight of stairs. So he did..he came back down to the doctor and therapist and they said to him “see if you were having a heart attack you wouldn’t be able to do that”. So next time you think you’re having one try that!

I’m sorry about the loss of your mother.

This is definitely normal. Especially with all of that going on with you. I’ve experienced these symptoms before as well. You will be okay. If it was anything serious you would have already been dead.

[TJT188 in reply to FearIsALiar]

Thank you!! It comes and goes. One day I’ll be ok, then bam, it’s back to feeling like that. Thank you for your feedback. I greatly appreciate it

[FearIsALiar in reply to TJT188]

Have you been to the doctor at all though just to rule anything out?

This most likely is anxiety. Especially if it comes and goes. I’m no doctor though

[Agora1]

TJT188 I am truly sorry for the loss of your mother. Because of the number of anxiety and panic attacks you have been experiencing since your mother's passing, it has most likely caused your GERDS to produce more acidity which is increasing your chest pain. Since we are not doctors, it is best you see your physician who knows your health history and your

emotional status right now. Be safe. Take care xx

[pmspaul]

Hi TJT188,

I have experienced very similar symptoms to you. Chest pain, pressure, anxiety heart palpitations. I think I do on occasion have heartburn related symptoms as well.

First, if you haven't already, make sure you get checked out by a doc. I've been to GP, cardiologist, ER, cardiologist and a new cardiologist for my "heart" symptoms. My heart is fine (I'm told repeatedly). I do have palpitations (premature atrial contractions for me) which are definitely worse when I'm anxious. But I have in my recent past had persistent chest pain for days on end with little or no release. I understand how easy it is to get wrapped up in a health anxiety loop that's tough to break. I too am going through a loved one (father) who has memory loss/dementia. Earlier this year, we lost my mother in law to cancer unexpectedly. Just before lockdown started everywhere.

My point being that if you look at your life, it's usually not too hard to see things that likely trigger or triggered this new anxiety. I have never been an anxious person leading up until late 2019. But I can see lots of events that happened all in close succession in my life that created a perfect storm when topped off with Covid.

There are lots of tools for dealing with this. I've found that rejuvenating my faith/relationship with God, seeing a therapist and really taking charge of my thoughts have been the biggest help. It is a process. No one thing helped me beat it instantly. It takes effort everyday to make baby steps. But after a while, I can look back and see that I have been slowly improving and that gives you encouragement to keep on keeping on.

If you ever want to talk more, just message me and I'm happy to listen or chat or whatever will help you.

-Paul

[TJT188 in reply to pmspaul]

Thank you!! I appreciate you taking time to respond. Sometimes just reading responses and learning that you are not the only one helps to deal with things.