Anxiety?

If in doubt call for help, no one will criticise you for it. If you have tingling in either arm or your jaw then dial 999.

Hi

I had something similar following my stents last November. I had and still do sometimes get a deep burning pain in the chest almost like a stitch sometimes which was similar to what I felt in the week leading up to my heart attack. The cardiologist assures me it's not cardiac pain as I would get it for hours at a low level and like you I tend to get it when I'm at rest. To me it felt like nerve damage/burning and I do wonder when they put the stents in if they damaged nerves. I also had a camera down which came back mild gastritis so could be down to that. It's very common for people to get chest pain post procedure but I don't think it's all down to anxiety. I too was told my heart attack was probably anxiety attack or gerd. Six hours after waiting in a and e, I complained I hadn't been seen despite being blue lighted in earlier. They eventually took bloods and confirmed HA. I was so annoyed. I'd been to a and e 3 times that week. If you're young and female (I was 42) they do not take you seriously.

If you exert yourself and it goes away it's fairly safe to say it's not angina. mine is worse when sitting and better once I'm warmed up into exercise.

I will add that the possibility of post traumatic stress could be playing a part, almost like you feel similar symptoms as before like your mind can't process what happened to you so you kind of relive it.

Whatever it is, know you're not alone. There's many ppl on here trying to figure it all out and you will get there just be patient.

Hi

My husband is 38 and he had a heart attack about 8 weeks ago. I think it’s a little harder when you are younger because it’s more of a shock in your 30’s you think your invincible!

He has major anxiety and it sometimes means he get niggles, pains, shakes etc and automatically he thinks it’s happening again, this is all normal. You have to remember that you are on the road to recovery if you were poorly they would have you in hospital. I suggest calling the British heart foundation they are wonderful and will put your mind at ease.

Take care of yourself and you are doing just fine!

I feel you 🙈 I’m exactly the same just 6 years older and male... Mine was in June this year, I’ve given smoking started eating fresh food and started exercise and still get pains around my chest. Like you they go if I go for for my jog which I found very strange too. I started doing full time hours at work two weeks ago after a phased return and on the Saturday I was knackered and was in a lot of pain so work sent me to hospital, I had all the blood tests and 4 ECGs there was nothing wrong. Hope you get though it 👍🏻 If you ever find out why it goes when we exercise let me know cheers

I think everyone is worried when they first go through this. I have unstable angina and for 2 years was told it was a pain to do with my RA until I was rushed into hospital and it was diagnosed properly! I had my stents 2 years ago and still occasionally need to use my GTN spray but never during exercise, only at rest. Speak to your GP, or better still speak to the nurse at cardiac rehab lessons first. Don't give up the rehab classes, I have been going ever since and I think most areas have a follow on course, though not through NHS. It really helps to have others around who have been through the same worries. Let us know how you get on.

Hey I am two months post heart attack and stents and I have chest pains most of the time. I have returned to A+E and paid to see a cardiologist. All have told me it’s not my heart but it’s still hard to believe them.

I am worried all the time but just try and get on with my training regime as pain does not worsen.

It’s amazing what tricks the mind can play on you.

Stay strong and if in doubt get help.

Regards

Neil

A lot older than you but had aortic valve replacement in January.

Was fine but for the last month or so had pain and shortness of breath.

Investigated and told I have anxiety and PTSD.

Am now reluctantly on antidepressants and apparently need counselling. Which I am reluctant to do.

My surgery was emergency and unexpected diagnosed and operated on within four days.

Never had chest pain just short of breath.

If you have chest pain tat doesn't go away even after using your spray, do call 111. NO one will laugh at you and if an ECG is ok it's unlikely they will take you to hospital As well as having just had a heart attack I have spinal problems, nerve damage and fibromyalgia. The FIbro often causes costochondritis which is inflammation of the muscle attachments to the sternum. I get really bad pain between my breasts which now of course sets me in a panic. A doctor told me to press lightly on the area and if it hurts by pressing, it's more likely to be muscular. I'm not suggesting to take that as a diagnosis ; just to point out that there are other causes of chest pain that need investigating. Even if it's caused by anxiety no paramedic will criticise you. Anxiety and panic attacks are just as serious and worrying to the patient as heart attacks.

I think that you get a lot of worries after a HA, you have just work through them

Take care

C

Regardless of age a major life event of a HA is totally unexpected for most of us. One day we are fine and dandy and the next our whole world has changed. My husband had a heart attack 20 years ago and both of us grieved and I remember his panic that it would happen again and mine as well-I’d stay up all night watching him breath and check on him every time he took a nap. It’s exhausting and yet something the mind has an impossible task of letting go.

There are some great meditation and relaxation mobile phone apps that can help you relax and calm down. Breathing exercises and visualization can be tremendously helpful. My husband at first though they were ridiculous but as a last resort tried one-and they worked for him.

If you still have chest pains don’t ignore them! After my husbands first HA he had a stent he kept having chest pains and the dr more or less said it was all in his head. We complained enough that he offered to do an angio but warned it was a more invassive procedure than necessary. We decided to go with the procedure just to relieve us of the anxiety. 20 minutes into the procedure the dr called me in and told me my hubby was a walking timebomb. That the stents had all closed. I asked him what now. He said by pass surgery. I asked when. He said the surgeon will be here in an hour. Hubby had a 5-way bypass! So it’s not all in our heads! Doctors can misdiagnose.

God Speed - yours from across the Pond.

Hi Emilie

I coulnt believe it when i read your post. I am also 35 years old and had a heart attack 4 weeks ago. I had a stent put in also. I also get alot of anxiety with which i get a burning sensation between my shoulder blades. I have been back to hospital with this and after overnight stay and so many blood tests. They sent me home as said it was muscular. Hope you feel better soon. I also have 3 young children and finding day to day difficult. Going to Cardiac Rehab tomorrow and hoping it will help.

Hey Emile,

We spoke yesterday, you replied to my post. Almost every week I read posts like yours and think to myself “I’m not the only one!” I have two young boys, 3 and 6 and I worry I won’t be here long enough to see how they turn out. I also think the two of them are the reason I won’t last long, they raise my stress levels so much 😂.

One day I’m happy knowing it’s all normal and probably stress or it’s the statins causing the pains, next day I read about stents closing up and I’m terrified again. I think I need to do something about it but I’ve no idea what to do? I’ve considered paying for a private CAT scan to reassure me the stents are fine and nothing else has been blocked up, is that crazy?

What are you thinking? How are you coping?

Steve.