n3r0x1k
17-03-16, 20:15
Hey everyone,
Background:
Quickly before starting, a bit of background: I'm a 34 year old male. I've been having sinus tachycardia, sometimes supraventricular tachycardia, since my teen years, along with many PVC's. Maybe PAC's too, just have a hard time differentiating one from the other. But the important part is, after dozens of tests over the past decade, everything always came out as "Nothing to worry about". I came to understand that ectopic beats/palpitations were unpleasant but nothing to feel in danger about.
I also have a severe case of GAD, acute panic attacks, and health anxiety that is centered around everything that is cardiovascular, ie.: I have no fear of cancer or whatever, only heart-related diseases or disorders.
My Main Concern Currently:
Keeping in mind that no one here cannot replace a true medical doctor, I'm just seeking reassurance.
That said, last year I learned that my Cholesterol levels were beyond the "very at risk" range. It scared the s*** out of me for maybe 1 week until I came to the conclusion that, despite my anxiety problem having a harder time controlling my health worries, that I should not spend my time panicking about. That it wasn't a death sentence in itself, that I could even lower my cholesterol levels (LDL & total) through lifestyle changes, eating, excercise, etc.
What helped me calm myself was the fact that even if I had high cholesterol, it wouldn't affect my until my late 40's at its earliest, and changing lifestyle could put that further away to 50's, 60's, whatever.
But yesterday, I read that some people have significant blockages (arteries) even in their twenties, some of which can be fatal. All of a sudden, I started panicking a lot, but this time I had trouble getting myself back together because I was not in the same mindset anymore where I usually tell myself "My panic is very unpleasant, but no matter how high it goes, it'll come back down after, and everything's gonna be fine". This time I was very worried because even if my panic would come back down, the reason I was panicking in the first place would remain there if my arteries were actually already clogged and I could be in an actual life-threatening position. So this morning, same story, and I was very worried all morning with panic attacks here and there.
I had to, with a lot of mental effort, convince my rational that "Hey, no matter how much I panic right now, if they are clogged, they are, and if they aren't, well good, but panicking, again, won't change a thing". Easier said that done but right now I managed to get it under control for a couple of hours, I'm hoping I'll be able to keep this same control tonight and tomorrow but anyhow (sorry if I'm maybe typing more than needed, it just helps somehow even though every paragraph I add reduces my chances of getting more replies).
So I called up the last cardiologist who had done tests on me 2 years ago to see if I could have a test that would determine if I have clogged or substantially clogged arteries / coronary artery disease. His secretary told me I'd have to see a GP who would then give me a slip to have a test, etc, the usual protocol, and that even then, it could be months or a year before I get the test. That's another reason why I told myself: Okay, I can't allow myself to obsessively worry and panic about that during a year, also given the fact that my arteries could be clean afterall too.
But I'm still feeling helpless and wondering if some people have some insight into this. My family history doesn't reflect good (on my father's side) for clogged arteries, my dad had triple bypass after 3 attacks at age 49, but again, even if 49 is pretty young, I'm only 34. My idea was: if I don't change my lifestyle, there's a pretty good chance I end up like my dad around my 50's like him. But now, seeing the statistics got me scared that maybe I could have that problem today, tomorrow, next week... you get the picture. Many people experience angina before actually experiencing an infarctus, but then again, some don't and it comes all of a sudden. I must admit I'm REALLY worried about this. I'm just searching some reassurance.
Thanks to anyone who took the time to read.
EDIT: one of my main questions is: despite all of this, are there good chances that I could live fairly long, or at least not be in immediate danger?
Background:
Quickly before starting, a bit of background: I'm a 34 year old male. I've been having sinus tachycardia, sometimes supraventricular tachycardia, since my teen years, along with many PVC's. Maybe PAC's too, just have a hard time differentiating one from the other. But the important part is, after dozens of tests over the past decade, everything always came out as "Nothing to worry about". I came to understand that ectopic beats/palpitations were unpleasant but nothing to feel in danger about.
I also have a severe case of GAD, acute panic attacks, and health anxiety that is centered around everything that is cardiovascular, ie.: I have no fear of cancer or whatever, only heart-related diseases or disorders.
My Main Concern Currently:
Keeping in mind that no one here cannot replace a true medical doctor, I'm just seeking reassurance.
That said, last year I learned that my Cholesterol levels were beyond the "very at risk" range. It scared the s*** out of me for maybe 1 week until I came to the conclusion that, despite my anxiety problem having a harder time controlling my health worries, that I should not spend my time panicking about. That it wasn't a death sentence in itself, that I could even lower my cholesterol levels (LDL & total) through lifestyle changes, eating, excercise, etc.
What helped me calm myself was the fact that even if I had high cholesterol, it wouldn't affect my until my late 40's at its earliest, and changing lifestyle could put that further away to 50's, 60's, whatever.
But yesterday, I read that some people have significant blockages (arteries) even in their twenties, some of which can be fatal. All of a sudden, I started panicking a lot, but this time I had trouble getting myself back together because I was not in the same mindset anymore where I usually tell myself "My panic is very unpleasant, but no matter how high it goes, it'll come back down after, and everything's gonna be fine". This time I was very worried because even if my panic would come back down, the reason I was panicking in the first place would remain there if my arteries were actually already clogged and I could be in an actual life-threatening position. So this morning, same story, and I was very worried all morning with panic attacks here and there.
I had to, with a lot of mental effort, convince my rational that "Hey, no matter how much I panic right now, if they are clogged, they are, and if they aren't, well good, but panicking, again, won't change a thing". Easier said that done but right now I managed to get it under control for a couple of hours, I'm hoping I'll be able to keep this same control tonight and tomorrow but anyhow (sorry if I'm maybe typing more than needed, it just helps somehow even though every paragraph I add reduces my chances of getting more replies).
So I called up the last cardiologist who had done tests on me 2 years ago to see if I could have a test that would determine if I have clogged or substantially clogged arteries / coronary artery disease. His secretary told me I'd have to see a GP who would then give me a slip to have a test, etc, the usual protocol, and that even then, it could be months or a year before I get the test. That's another reason why I told myself: Okay, I can't allow myself to obsessively worry and panic about that during a year, also given the fact that my arteries could be clean afterall too.
But I'm still feeling helpless and wondering if some people have some insight into this. My family history doesn't reflect good (on my father's side) for clogged arteries, my dad had triple bypass after 3 attacks at age 49, but again, even if 49 is pretty young, I'm only 34. My idea was: if I don't change my lifestyle, there's a pretty good chance I end up like my dad around my 50's like him. But now, seeing the statistics got me scared that maybe I could have that problem today, tomorrow, next week... you get the picture. Many people experience angina before actually experiencing an infarctus, but then again, some don't and it comes all of a sudden. I must admit I'm REALLY worried about this. I'm just searching some reassurance.
Thanks to anyone who took the time to read.
EDIT: one of my main questions is: despite all of this, are there good chances that I could live fairly long, or at least not be in immediate danger?