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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go to A & E?

338 replies

AlwaysAnxiousAnnie · 31/12/2023 19:36

For some.time.now I've had major anxiety about my heart due to an episode last year of very bad heart palpitations, lasted hours and was so scary. It was like my heart was so out of rhythm. I went to A and E and they said it's anxiety, I've had numerous ECG, I've had a 24 hr heart monitor. They said they found nothing of concern just ectopic beats and and atrial thud. Apparently this is no cause for concern. So I was discharged from cardiology. I regularly have heart palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, breathlessness. Again it's anxiety apparently. Alas, I have developed this cardiac anxiety.
Anyway, tonight after studying up after dinner, my heart out of no where just started beating so hard and so fast in my chest. It felt like it was going to explode. Straight away I panicked, and then tried to calm myself down. I've so ce managed to calm myself but I heart beat feels all over the place. No pain or anything else. Its new Year's Eve and A&E will be busy. My DH is not very happy with me telling me not to go because it's all in my head. I've convinced myself.i won't see morning or at the very least my heart is about to give up very soon. Now I'm in this spiral of death anxiety of I could drop dead and be dead by this next time year and no one is believing me about my heart problem...am I being unreasonable to want to go to A & E and get checked out or ring 111 at th very least.. or am I just being dramatic, an anxious mess. The more I'm panicking the worst it's getting but I wasn't panicking when it first started this evening.

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 31/12/2023 19:40

I think your final sentence says it all - the more you're panicking the worse its getting.
By all means call 111 for advice. be prepared for a very long wait though.

user8800 · 31/12/2023 19:44

Age?
Can be caused by peri menopause
You've had lots of tests, all OK
So probably anxiety induced

Original poster
AlwaysAnxiousAnnie · 31/12/2023 19:44

user8800 · 31/12/2023 19:44

Age?
Can be caused by peri menopause
You've had lots of tests, all OK
So probably anxiety induced

I am only 31

OP posts:
Original poster
AlwaysAnxiousAnnie · 31/12/2023 19:46

I think I'm struging to believe it's anxiety as a specially tonight it just came out of no where and I was feeling very calm and relaxed. I've had other instances of the same around twice in the last month or so. Again my GP says no problems.

OP posts:
batsandeggs · 31/12/2023 19:46

Testing would have showed any existing issue and on balance you have an evidenced history of cardiac anxiety. 111 will send you up for anything related to your heart so ultimately this is your call based on your current and prior experience. Please do seek help for your health anxiety in the new year, it sounds miserable and I do feel for you.

Neriah · 31/12/2023 19:46

I'm really sorry, but yes, you are being unreasonable. You've had extensive tests and you know what the problem is. Anxiety. You don't have a heart problem.

When the bank holiday is over, go and speak to your GP about how you can manage your anxiety.

Mirrormeback · 31/12/2023 19:46

Have you been prescribed beta blockers or anxiety medication because it definitely sounds like you're getting panic attacks

They've checked your heart they all know it's not your heart

It's a panic attack

QuestionableMouse · 31/12/2023 19:48

Palpitations are so scary, aren't they?

Try having a good cold drink or splashing some properly cold water on your face. It often stops mine! (both anxiety and palpitations!) I think I just need something else to focus on and the cold water is a shock so that does it.

Have you had your bloods done recently? Even a bit of anemia makes me feel terrible!

ExtraOnions · 31/12/2023 19:48

I have an ectopic heartbeat, which seems to get worse when I am anxious.
It feels horrible, like you heart is going to stop, but it isn’t.
The best thing is to relax (easier said than done), try to take your mind off it (rather than sitting there waiting for it to skip), maybe put a film on like, listen to some music.
In the past, I have downloaded a heartbeat monitor to my phone, just so I can wee the rhythm.
It will pass

VeganNugsNotDrugs · 31/12/2023 19:48

So you go to A&E, what do you want them to do that hasn't already been done (and ruled out any cardiac cause). Not asking in a snarky way, more of a what are you expecting/hoping/thinking will be different this time way

Hadebough · 31/12/2023 19:48

It sounds like it's probably a panic attack, would definitely be a good idea to talk to your GP about your anxiety though

JustACountryMusicGirlInCowboyBoots · 31/12/2023 19:48

Has the GP or hospital given you anything for the anxiety? Anxiety is awful and you can never be 100% what is causing the issue until you check it out. I'm a nurse (cardiology at one time, retired now) but my advice always was, and always is, to get checked out. If it turns out to be anxiety then your GP needs to refer you for this and give you something like propanolol for the anxiety Flowers

Original poster
AlwaysAnxiousAnnie · 31/12/2023 19:49

Thank you. I just feel like something has been missed? As they told me unless they Actually catch what I'm describing on the ECG or monitor then they wouldn't know? And unless they look at my heart like structurally there is no way to know it's structurally sound.
I have had various treatments for my health anxiety over the years, its only recently that I've started having more physical symptoms as opposed to intrusive thoughts etc.
I was prescribed beta blockers but scared myself with the side effects and have not taken them.

OP posts:
Newbutoldfather · 31/12/2023 19:50

What is your actual pulse? unless it is 120+ I wouldn’t be overly worried. Also, how many breaths are you taking a minute? It is worth taking objective measurements.

At 31 years old and knowing you are anxious, it is just highly unlikely that you are suffering a cardiac event.

Comfysock · 31/12/2023 19:50

Call 111 for advice. Try and do some meditation to calm down.

Had to take DS to A&E around Christmas for similar OP...after 5 hours, we were told 6 more people in front of him to see the doctor and would be around a 12-14 hour turn around, so at least another 7-8 hours. During this 6 hour wait...3 drunks who'd fallen over or had been fighting came in with cut heads and got seen over him. My DS was so exhausted it was making him.worse...he decided to walk out.

Original poster
AlwaysAnxiousAnnie · 31/12/2023 19:51

QuestionableMouse · 31/12/2023 19:48

Palpitations are so scary, aren't they?

Try having a good cold drink or splashing some properly cold water on your face. It often stops mine! (both anxiety and palpitations!) I think I just need something else to focus on and the cold water is a shock so that does it.

Have you had your bloods done recently? Even a bit of anemia makes me feel terrible!

I've had bloods recently yes as I spend a lot of time.at the GP and they've said I'm not anemic. Although ferratin is on the low side. But apparently not low enough to cause an issue.

OP posts:
Pripsen · 31/12/2023 19:51

Take the beta blockers. They were prescribed for a reason

QuestionableMouse · 31/12/2023 19:52

111 round here would probably send a paramedic car out to check you out so no sitting in A&E. No harm in giving them a ring.

Challengedbutenlightened · 31/12/2023 19:52

YABU, this isn’t the first time you’ve posted about this. From someone who does have heart issues (and has lots of history of SADS/SIDS in the family) please try and calm down and relax before rushing to A&E

QuestionableMouse · 31/12/2023 19:52

AlwaysAnxiousAnnie · 31/12/2023 19:51

I've had bloods recently yes as I spend a lot of time.at the GP and they've said I'm not anemic. Although ferratin is on the low side. But apparently not low enough to cause an issue.

Show quote history

They say that to me but I know when it drops because I feel awful!

Decimate · 31/12/2023 19:53

Do you check your bp? What's your pulse rate?

All your symptoms could be anxiety or something as simple as a vitamin deficiency. Has anyone ever done bloods?

BasilParsley · 31/12/2023 19:53

Have you tried sitting upright in a chair and doing the breath in slowly for a count of five, hold that breath for a count of five and then slowly release that held breath for a count of eight? Rinse and repeat as necessary - works for me every time!

Firstmincepie · 31/12/2023 19:53

You can get panic attacks completely out of the blue OP even when you don’t feel anxious. I’ve had panic attacks wandering around a shop with DH, driving to the coast on a sunny day. If anything, I get them more when I’m not in an anxious situation. It is not your heart, you have had very comprehensive checks - your heart is fine - this is a fact is it not? Your thoughts and feelings are giving you anxiety and these thoughts are not facts. It’s is however very scary and frightening but you can learn to control it. Seek help OP from your GP or private therapist and learn some techniques to help you. Sending hugs OP.

Original poster
AlwaysAnxiousAnnie · 31/12/2023 19:53

VeganNugsNotDrugs · 31/12/2023 19:48

So you go to A&E, what do you want them to do that hasn't already been done (and ruled out any cardiac cause). Not asking in a snarky way, more of a what are you expecting/hoping/thinking will be different this time way

I'm not sure to be honest. Maybe some.test to actually look and see?

OP posts:
Pripsen · 31/12/2023 19:53

Re-reading, this has been going on for a very long time. YABU for not actually trying recommended treatment. I realise this in itself triggers anxiety, but come on something needs to change.