Heart attack symptoms or just anxiety?

[Panickingaboutnothing]

So, I am an anxious person in general. And have recently had an increase in a medication that can increase anxiety (stimulant) , just thought I’d mention this because anxiety is most likely the cause! I went to the GP surgery almost a week ago after heart palpitations and tingling hand and was reassured by the nurse that it was probably anxiety caused by the medication increase, and it probably is! But I did feel a bit stupid to waste their time, and now I don’t want to ring back because it probably is anxiety related!
For around a week I’ve had a cough which is like a dry productive cough if that is a thing? It’s like a hacking cough, but does bring mucous up. It’s not like any cough I’ve had before. It’s worse at some times than others, but is there every day. I never mentioned that to the nurse that I saw as it didn’t seem relevant.
My heart is racing, and I feel extremely anxious, and have done for the last week which started suddenly, to the point that I’ve not been able to go to work for the last 2 days.
Anxiety increased Monday and palpitations.
Then yesterday (tuesday) at around 5pm, I was in the bathroom and felt a strange pain/pressure in my upper back which lasted for around 15 minutes at most and then went away. Was like a dull, tight intense pressure, mid to upper left back area, but not in my chest at the front if you know what I mean. Anyway it went away after 15 minutes so I didn’t do anything about it, but then I was extremely warm and sweaty/clammy for an hour or so afterwards, but I didn’t feel cold so I don’t believe it was a cold sweat.
I have a blood pressure monitor because I need to submit blood pressure readings to the doc every now and again because of the type of medication that I’m in. So I used it, and the results have been all over the place. First reading on Monday was BP 146/99 and pulse 124, then by the evening my blood pressure was 103/85 and pulse 134, then by Tuesday morning BP 95/73 and pulse 133. Right now BP is 138/107 and my pulse is 124.
Is it characteristic of anxiety for the BP to be all over the place? My gut feeling says that it probably is. But I am concerned by the pulse.
My pulse is usually between 90-100 even when extremely anxious. And my blood pressure is usually average, I can’t remember the exact figures but I’ve always noted how usual they have been.
Sorry for the rambling!

If the palpitations have carried on and you feel ill with them go to A&E. Heart attack symptoms are a severe aching pain in your chest/ upper back/ upper abdomen or feeling like something is sat on your chest or you have a tight band around your chest. Also look out for pain that radiates to your arm or jaw, feeling breathless or dizzy or sick with the pain, if you have that you need to be at hospital. I would go to the gp about your palpitations again as they might want to do some more monitoring. A stimulant could cause your heart to go fast and if you keep having this and the increased anxiety the gp might want to review if it's the right medication for you. Avoid caffeine this morning and I hope you feel calmer now and your heart rate is back to normal.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I took my blood pressure/pulse on Monday because I kept catching my breath and it felt like I was breathing too slowly, like shallow breaths but much slower than usual. Which makes no sense because with shallow breathing apparently you actually breathe faster. So that leads me even more towards it being anxiety related also, seeing as it makes no actual medical sense!

@CuckooWrasse my heart rate isn’t back to normal. However I’ve had no pain in my arm or jaw, and haven’t felt dizzy.
I think maybe this is just the wrong medication for me. It’s an amphetamine based medication so could definitely be causing irrational anxiety!

Pain in the arm and jaw is very much a male symptom. Women present very differently. If you’re still feeling unwell go to A&E. Don’t take any chances with your heart OP.

Have you got chest pain now? If you have you should get to hospital. It's up to you with your heart rate, a hospital would see you, with palpitations lasting that long they would check you're ok. If you're more generally worried about the effect of the medication you should get an appointment with your gp to explain what's been happening as soon as they open.

No, the chest pain was only yesterday. I’ve just been worrying about it combined with minimising it since then.
I can speak to someone about the effects of the medication today. It’s just come out of nowhere, I know I’ve had an increase in dose, but I have actually been on this specific medication for 2 years. Also, it should be out of my system by now, as I’m almost due the next dose! Which I’m not going to take.

Adhd meds? Are you on anything for anxiety? I take propananol as and when needed to slow my racing heart. Do your BP and heart rate when you've chilled for 10 minutes. Of course, you do need to speak to a clinician but it could possibly be anxiety.

Nhs 111 has been consistently saying I need an ambulance, but I’m fully aware of the fact that they send ambulances for any kind of symptom with even the slightest possibility of being heart related. And I also know how much anxiety and panic can feel like heart problems .
I can contact the consultant prescribing my medication today, but I know that he will be very cautious with any symptoms that may be heart related and will I expect stop the medication, and refuse any stimulant based medication in the future, and I don’t want to regret it if this is all anxiety.

@Mabelface yes ADHD meds. The BP and heart rate readings are when resting and staying calm, but still high, increased slightly now.
No I’m on nothing for anxiety.
maybe the monitor isn’t accurate, and I’m worrying for no reason!

I don’t know OP but I would get checked out for that

Hello

I can completely understand OP. I have been to A and E twice thinking I was having a heart attack and it was anxiety. (Once due to anxiety inducing medication).

However, I believe that you need to go. They can very easily test to see if you have had a or are having any heart issues. Once they rule it out, your anxiety should ease.

Can you drive yourself?

Go to a&e, do not drive yourself.

I do think you could do with seeing someone today. Even if it is the meds, there's stuff that can be done and you need some treatment for your anxiety too. They are high readings. Speak to your psych today and get in with your gp as an emergency. I'm still in titration with my meds and there's no way I'm letting go of my citalopram or propananol yet!

@fuckingworms Hi, no I don’t drive. And the thought of actually going to a&e and it being all anxiety is just too painful! It’s embarrassing! and it probably is anxiety, so would be a waste of everyone’s time anyway!

No. Even if it is anxiety, it's giving you physical symptoms that need checking out. Nothing to be embarrassed about. Anxiety sucks balls.

@Mabelface I’ve never needed anxiety medication, believe it or not 😅
when I described myself as a generally anxious person, it’s not been to the level of needing medication, more that I’m an over thinker.
Maybe that’s why this is such a shock!

I understand, but even if it is anxiety, Those readings are high and that needs to be addressed. My pulse was around that when I went. And they said it's not a heart attack but I need to be seen by the GP to refer me to a cardiologist. So it wasn't an "embarrassing waste of time".

Can you call a cab? Seems less daunting than an ambulance

Maybe the focus that the Adhd meds are designed to enhance are just increasing my capacity to overthink! 😅

@fuckingworms yes I could call a cab, I need to get my children up for school first though. Also, I told work I’d be back in today, but I really don’t think that’s possible anyway, and I don’t know what to say.
I hate this week!

BP is 168 over 118 now, so I think I need to get it checked anyway. Even if just for reassurance that it is anxiety so I can calm down.

I do realise that I really am
looking neurotic now! At least my heart rate has reduced.

Maybe time to rethink looking at how you manage the anxiety. Being generally anxious can very much be a part of the adhd, as I'm sure you know. For years, I just thought everyone felt that way!

Any advice I give though, does not replace medical advice, so ask make sure you get seen today.

I had same symptoms OP. 111 wanted to call an ambulance...but then pains subsided and also it wasn't radiating out so I said it wasn't necessary. A doctor called to check again and then own GP next day. Have been ok since. I'm booked to have ECG and bloods shortly.
You definitely need checking out

I know this is a bit 😳 but maybe your bp monitor is wrong / needs new batteries? Mine comes up with all sorts of readings when it’s had it’s day (I take regular readings for medical reasons).

I do think you should get checked out properly.

Go to A&E or at least the GP. You don’t want to have any heart issues just because it would be too embarrassing to seek help