Hi there people. This isn't my first time posting, but I don't normally feel obliged to make a thread unless something really shakes me up. So with that said, I'm hoping this will sound familiar to someone at least...
I was trying to get some sleep very late last night. (Recently my sleeping patterns have been moving further and further into the morning...) I found that every time I closed my eyes I was met with rushing thoughts and mental images of completely random things. I had a very 'full up' sensation in my gut and up towards my chest. That was followed up by a lot of ectopic beats (which I've had before, and they don't go any way towards helping me sleep :P). Every time I tried to doze off, something would just wake me back up again. Then just when I hoped my mind would willingly shut off for the night... my entire body came over quite hot all of a sudden, my ears were filled with ringing and worst of all my heart started thumping spasmodically. It felt like it was beating on my chest wanting to get out. I stood up out of bed, trembling, and slumped myself against a wall for a few minutes... and then eventually after that the symptoms completely subsided (except for the full stomach and what not).
I'm familiar with a fair amount of anxiety and less often panic, but this seemed to be verging on a medical emergency, and came pretty much out of the blue or so it felt. Granted, I wasn't in the best mode for sleeping, but I can't be certain what it was or what brought it on... does it sound like a panic attack? I'm 20 years old, non-smoker (although I have smoked) with no family history of heart conditions, in fact my parents are quite athletic and I myself have run a 10K before from start to finish. One side of my family does have a history of anxiety and panic attacks though. So can anxiety actually do that to your heart? :S
I'm beginning to really think I should get myself checked out with an ECG... just don't know what to think. If anyone has any advice, I would be most grateful.
-Edward