Absolutely terrified that I might be having a heart attack.

[Pathojen]

Hello all. Now, I know that symptoms of a heart attack are nothing to wait on, but logically it just makes no sense. I'm a 23 year old female, about 170 cm and 61 kg... so I'm not overweight by any means. I don't have a very active lifestyle, but I'm not constantly laying around either. I have even picked up yoga recently... so I really don't feel as if I'm in the risk range for a heart attack. HOWEVER, for the past few days I've had pretty solid, squeezing chest pain, mostly around the bottom of my sternum. As I'm typing, the pain is also radiating under my right ribs as well as up the left side of my neck and to my jaw... but I'm thinking that might be due to the fact that I've looked up the symptoms of a heart attack about a million times today, so I wouldn't be surprised if some of my issues are psychosomatic. Regardless, I'm still really freaking out. I've also been very gassy, so I'm hoping that might rule out a heart attack.

Anyways, any bit of support or insight would really help me out. I'm at work right now and I work a long shift, so I'm really hoping I can calm myself down and not have to find someone to come in and cover me so that I can go to the hospital. Thanks, everyone.

[xtremx]

Hi Pathojen.

I think you have said a very good word Gassy.. If you suffer from IBS some people will feel discomfit around the chest area and all the organs can push up a little and the pain could be coming from anywhere and can spead as the nerves are compressed sending false signals to the brain.

But at the end of the day you feel it is really serious just do what you have to do and see someone you only have the one life.

But most of what you say does seem to rule out heart trouble it sounds like IBS to me....But I'm not a doctor... But I have had the samething.

Hope you feel better soon

[shaunnajadelle]

If you say you're very gassy anyway it's probably that, cause I think that can occur all over your body and can be really painful! With your age and stats you're probably not having a heart attack or you wouldn't really be able to move and breathe very well.. I'd say definitely anxiety (which can cause chest pains anyway, I went to hospital with chest pain and it turned out to be anxiety, I'm 21)

I really would try not to worry! I'd pretty much guarantee it's not a heart attack :) There's a thousand and one explanations for chest pain. Feel better soon! x

[maximus1975]

this is classic anxiety i believe , ive been there before when i had the problem my dr said when he was training they got them to think of a pain in there body and if they thought long and hard enough this would happen the mind is so powerful,
however if the pain was to start down your left arm etc go into hospitol and get an ecg done just to settle your mind, ive had headaches then all of a sudden i have a tumour its all health anxiety

[Daisy Sue]

As much as it's a nuisance to arrange staff cover etc., and also as likely as it is that you're suffering from a gastric issue only, I have to say if I were you, I would go and get checked out.

[Pathojen]

Thanks for the support everyone... you're all great and have been a big help. I'm feeling better already... burpy, but alright. :]

[nocchi]

I think you have said a very good word Gassy.. If you suffer from IBS some people will feel discomfit around the chest area and all the organs can push up a little and the pain could be coming from anywhere and can spead as the nerves are compressed sending false signals to the brain.

That reminds me a couple of months ago and still occasionally now I'd get a really severe chest pain right over my heart which when they first happened I too thought it could be heart problems, they also tended to happen mainly in the at night when I was way overdue a sleep. I phoned my mum and she told me it's potentially gas and to lay down in order to try relieve it. And what do you know laying down for 30 minutes or so actually helped a lot. These happened way before I even had any bowel symptoms of IBS.

So yeah, next time you get the pains Pathojen try have a relaxing lay on your back in bed and see if that manages to relieve it. Though if it's worrying you still worth getting checked out; better safe than sorry as they say.

[Pathojen]

Hey, folks... I'm not sure if anyone is interested in an update, but last night the pain was simply too much for me to handle, so I went to the ER. They diagnosed me with Pericarditis, so at least I know that it wasn't just all in my head... but at the same time, it's a bit disheartening because there is very little I can do about it other than just deal with the pain.

[Daisy Sue]

Hi Pathojen.. sorry you didn't get the all clear result you & we all were hoping for.

Pericarditis can have different causes, one of which is infection.. have they referred you on to a cardio specialist, or advised any medications?

[Anxious_gal]

Aw I'm so sorry :(
I've had a weird pain too on and off, although I hope it's just heartburn!
I had pain around my ribs, chest and between my shoulders.
The pain lasted hours or well till I fell asleep.
I was burping a lot too and having reflux.
It was pretty scary though.

I think if it happens again ill get my self down to the walk in clinic or doctors.

Well done for going to the hospital. It can be sooo hard to know when you need medical help when you have anxiety.

Did the pain come back, is that why you decided to get checked out?

It's always good if the symptoms don't ease off to get your self down to the doctor.
Better safe than sorry. I hope you're getting all the treatment you need and will recover soon x x