Let me start by saying i know i have anxiety and panic disorder, have had it since i was a teen. The problem is when i'm having anxiety i start having symptoms of a heart attack, i've heard other people say thats common but how do i know if its actually a heart attack? I've read the symptoms and i have most of them, i had an ekg about a month ago and it came back normal(Are they reliable?) So what do i do? Does anyone else have this? From what i understand i'm at higher risk due to pcos. My dh always tries to tell me i'm fine and i'm too young to have a heart attack but i know different. I probably sound like a nut case, sometimes i feel like one but i need some advice anyhow,,,thanks
I have anxiety disorder too, do you take medication for it? I used to take Ativan.
Yes, anxiety attacks make you feel like you are having a heart attack. I have experienced crushing chest pain with an attack that lasted 30 minutes or more. After speaking with I stopped taking my Ativan because I was having anxiety attacks while on the medication.
After stopping I noticed that the anxiety attacks I had while one the medication, rarely, resulted in the chest pain, difficulty breathing issues I have now without the meds. When I am home and find myself having an attack I go into my room, close the door and laydown practicing my deep breathing. I focus all my energy on my breath, deep breath in, slowly blow it out. Nothing exsits my me and my breathing; it's hypnotic and does seem to help.
I have cardiovascular disease and a strong family history of CVA. My grandmother had mutiple heart attacks, bypass and a stroke. My father died of an acute heart attack and my mom just had shunt put in because she had a 85% arterial blockage. She is young, 57. Long story short, I see a cardiologist for my hypertension, mitral valve prolapse and cholesterol issues. He advised I should carry around my EKG, should I ever have an emergency they can use it to compare.
I agree with Kathy2579 to try and breath. The EKG is a reliable test.
Good luck!
Staci
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You can be having panic attacks and feel like it is heart attack. For women the signs of possible heart attacks are different then men. Women will get nausea alot,dizziness,extreme fatigue,heart palpitations and sometimes left arm pain. EKG are very reliable. If you want and it makes you feel better ask your doctor if you can get one every month for awhile that way they can compare them to make sure everything is fine. Unfortunately anymore you are never to young to have a heart attack. I use to work in a doctor's office and one of our patients died of a heart attack at age 28. WOW!! That was young. If you are concerned about it just talk with your doctor they should be able to ease your mind and also tell you if it is panic attacks.
God Bless
Along with the advice here, I would encourage you to seek the help of a counselor/psychologist for help with the panic attacks. I have had family members and friends who have suffered from panic attacks, and it was very disruptive to their lives until they got help to work through them. Take care and best of luck to you.
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I have experienced panic attacks and I have a heart problem. The only way I can tell the difference between a panic attack and an episode with my heart is by doing just what luvbug said. I go to a room, by myself, and breathe. If it calms me and the symptoms get even a little better I know it's painc... If they remain the same or get worse I know it's my heart.
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One thing that helped me so so so much was going to an online support group for people that have panic attacks. For years, I thought something physical was wrong with me, but then at this site I saw that panic attacks can produce some nasty physical symptoms! The things that I thought was chest pains was simply just breathing incorrectly and when I would streatch and start breathing better it would go away. The website is www.nomorepanic.co.uk they are a great bunch of folks over there! I hope that you find this helpful.
God bless you and yours
Deb
Hey sweetheart! I am in nursing school and just wanted to share some of my input! EKG's are definitely VERY reliable, and if yours came out normal than I am sure you are fine! Also, from what I've gathered, experiencing a heart attack isn't the same feeling as having like anxiety or panic, it's more like REAL BAD heart burn, I mean like REAL BAD and you'll feel so much pain radiating on the left side of your neck and your left arm. So just relax and enjoy life =)
Don't have any advice, just wanted to say my fiance goes through the same thing with the anxiety and feeling like it's a heart attack. I assure him he's okay, but we've still had to go to the ER/call an ambulance for him quite a few times just to be sure. It's a daily thing, and he's always checking his heart. I know how hard it can be, and I hope you find some relief soon!
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How do i know if its the REAL thing? 
