Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Panic attack vs heart?

39 replies

Foodismedicine · 03/04/2019 15:34

How do you know if its its your heart?

Ive a whirring sensation that comes and goes, but the pain is not stabby, and more central. Dh said it sounds fast, and he was struggling to hear individual beats, but its calmed down with an extra bp tablet. (Metaprolol, but usual dose of lisinopril) Its kind of occasionally fluttery. My jaw/ left arm feels painfully numb rather than anything else. But I dont feel well. Tired and breathless, and a bit sweaty.

Ive had a very stressful few days. Im too tired for hospital, and seriously dont want to be told its a panic attack. My blood pressure has been under control recently with new meds.

OP posts:
Beargrin · 03/04/2019 15:50

It doesn't sound great op. Especially with the jaw pain, feeling tired and breathless. Chances are it's not a heart attack. Could you speak to someone from 111? They have an online service now.

DeadWife · 03/04/2019 15:54

Fgs get on 111 not Mumsnet.

WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 03/04/2019 15:55

I would go to A&E, get it checked out. DH has had things like this, friends have said panic attack, hospital have said heart (though not a heart attack, I hasten to add).

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General health Heart disease
BlueMerchant · 03/04/2019 15:57

You are on BP tablets. There are obviously issues or you wouldn't be taking them.
I'd personally ring 999. At the very least 111. NOW.

SherlocksDeerstalker · 03/04/2019 15:58

Call. I’ve had panic attacks/low BP/Fast heart rate issues for years - this sound like it needs checking.

Thisisthelaststraw · 03/04/2019 15:59

999

motherone · 03/04/2019 15:59

I would get checked out. Heart issues and from what you have said all points to needing checked maybe nothing but I would rather get checked out sooner rather than later

PetuliaBlavatsky · 03/04/2019 16:01

The combination of jaw/left arm numbness, breathlessness and sweating sounds like fairly classic heart attack symptoms - call at least 111 if not 999 now.

Original poster
Foodismedicine · 03/04/2019 16:18

Ill get dh to take me in if it doesn't subside very soon. It doesnt feel quick or dramatic enough for a heart attack, I mean im not falling to my knees clutching my chest, but I truly feel quite unwell.

OP posts:
WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 03/04/2019 16:20

Can you get a cab to hospital now and get him to meet you there?

LeekMunchingSheepShagger · 03/04/2019 16:20

Heart attacks aren't always dramatic and chest clutching...that's just on TV. You would not be overreacting to call an ambulance. At least get yourself straight off to a&e.

PetuliaBlavatsky · 03/04/2019 16:21

www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/heart-attack/women-and-heart-attacks

Please read this about symptoms of heart attacks in women, particularly this bit - *We know that women tend to wait longer before calling 999 after first experiencing heart attack symptoms. This might be because women are less likely to recognise the symptoms, they’re reluctant to cause a fuss, or they don’t want to be embarrassed if it turns out that their situation isn’t serious. This delay can dramatically reduce your chance of survival.

If you think you are having a heart attack, don’t delay; call 999 for an ambulance immediately.*

Then call 999

Notverygrownup · 03/04/2019 16:23

There was a programme on last week, discussing how female heart attacks are often missed by doctors as they often present differently to men. Specifically they mentioned vomiting - most likely in women, very rare in men - and jaw pain rather than chest pain.

Don't want to panic you, but please do get it checked out. Recovery rates are much quicker if diagnosed quickly.

PetuliaBlavatsky · 03/04/2019 16:23

I've cut and paste it for you to save you a click

Signs and Symptoms of a heart attack in women

Chest pain or discomfort - the most recognised symptom of a heart attack though not always present.

Pain radiating to the arms, neck, jaw, stomach and back can all be symptoms of a heart attack.
You may experience pain in just one or all of these places; for some people the pain is severe but for others just uncomfortable.

A feeling of indigestion or reflux type pain - this is often ignored in the hope that it will pass.

Feeling sick, sweaty, breathless or lightheaded with associated chest pain or discomfort

A general feeling of being unwell or lethargic can also be an indicator of a heart attack when accompanied by chest pain or discomfort.

I think you said you have 4 out of these 5 symptoms, please take this seriously

PaulHollywoodsSexGut · 03/04/2019 16:24

Look get yourself to A&E to rule out heart attack.

It may be superventricular tachycardia. It’s a condition where the electrical pathway goes rogue and can make your heart hammer.

If you get it again, crouch, just like you are away to do a poo on the floor (nice) or pretend you have a stone in your shoe.

This will suppress the vagus nerve and if successful could indicate tachycardia.

I have it and it’s managed with metropolol.

But FGS please do head to A&E, any heart issue that gives bodily pain can’t be ignored x

ReleaseTheBats · 03/04/2019 16:24

It doesnt feel quick or dramatic enough for a heart attack, I mean im not falling to my knees clutching my chest, but I truly feel quite unwell

Heart attacks are not always dramatic.

Ring 999.

Original poster
Foodismedicine · 03/04/2019 16:28

Fuck. Too tired for anything other than going for a nap. Doing any hing feels like climbing mount frigging Everest. Im perfectly lucid, but its clearly not right.

Thanks, dh is insisting I go in and expect to be told its a panic attack go home. How embarrassing!

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 03/04/2019 16:30

It doesnt feel quick or dramatic enough for a heart attack

Heart attacks are rarely like that for women. You need to get to hospital NOW. Not after an hour to see how you feel, RIGHT NOW.

ReleaseTheBats · 03/04/2019 16:30

Well done to your dh for insisting.

PetuliaBlavatsky · 03/04/2019 16:30

Is DH taking you in now? If not, don't wait for him, seriously please call an ambulance

NoCauseRebel · 03/04/2019 16:31

You’re on medication for your blood pressure and now you’re having heart palpitations and other symptoms. You need to go to a&E now because even if it isn’t something heart related they will be able to tell you that. And do bear in mind that not everything heart-related is a heart attack. I have atrial fibrillation, prolapsed heart valve and hypertrophic cardiomiopathy and I have some of those symptoms when my heart is not behaving. And do also bear in mind that Adrenalin can make things worse, so you could be experiencing heart symptoms and the adrenaline of panicking about those symptoms will be making them worse.

But you need to be checked out and not be sitting on the internet googling or asking for reassurance from strangers who don’t have access to the correct knowledge and/or equipment.

Shouldbedoing · 03/04/2019 16:33

Do not go to bed!

Shouldbedoing · 03/04/2019 16:34

In fact it sounds like 999 to me

DonutsLikeFannys · 03/04/2019 16:35

Definitely get checked out.

ChristinaMarlowe · 03/04/2019 16:37

Sounds like my mums heart attack, even the nurse said it's indigestion and sent her home then rang in a panic telling her the doctor had seen the ecg results and called an ambulance. She was walking home when I got hold of her. They put in a stent and she's been well for years since. Please don't take the risk OP. Hope all is well at hospital. They won't blame you for coming in even if it's not.