Heart attack symptoms

[Mummytron]

Really stupid question but would I know if I had a heart attack?
I get sleep starts where I'm dozing off then my heart jumps me awake. I've been told it's normal. Sometimes I get mild pain on my chest but I have arthritis so more likely that. I'm so worried about my heart

Google 'signs of heart attack in women'. Loads of info online.

What you are describing is really common. Almost everyone I know- men and women- have experienced this. It's a kind of 'muscle twitch' just as we're dozing off to sleep and your body relaxes. Nothing to do with your heart itself.

Sounds more as if you have a health anxiety. Have you had treatment for that?

I do have anviety but these are terrifying. Feels like my heart /chest rather than a muscle?

You need to see your GP and get past this. I recognise your posts- you've posted about this a LOT. People reassure you but you won't accept it.

You don't understand what I meant. Your heart is racing but it's a response to your body falling off to sleep then being jolted into an awake state.

Please see your GP if you haven't already and stop worrying. Your worrying is causing this to happen more / in the first place.

Unless you are aged 50+, very overweight, inactive, smoke, or have a congenital heart condition, a heart attack is highly unlikely.

It's often when I lie down on my side at night that my heart does funny leaps and a painful squeeze... but tests I had done when younger (and suffering with health anxiety) showed nothing wrong with my heart at all, and since I'm now over 60 and very fit, it must be a pretty healthy ticker even after all the leaps, bumps, squeezes and flutters it's done over the years!

They ARE frightening, I know... but I got into a much better relationship with them - 'Oh, there's my heart, doing that thing again.. but it's not dangerous and doesn't matter..' sort of thing.. and funnily enough I hardly notice them these days.

Anxiety is horrible, isn't it? it gives rise to all kind of horrible physical symptoms and is so upleasant to live with. I hope yours will abate and give you peace, over time - mine did

Thanks apples
I have 'mild things' going on with my heart so I struggle not to worry.
I must have fallen asleep 20 times last night and each time I woke with what felt like a thump in my chest. Don't think it's unreasonable to worry

How much of this have you discussed with your GP?
Have you had an ECG or a 24 hr heart monitor? if not you should go and talk to your GP to put your mind at rest. The symptoms of a heart attack are nothing like you are feeling.

If you are waking up 20 times a night that is another issue altogether. That's insomnia or a sleep issue which needs treatment.

I see you have also posted this on the meno forum.
Are you having other symptoms and have you thought about HRT to help with your sleep issues and other peri symptoms?

I've had a 24 hour and echo which found mild diastolic dysfunction. Cardiology asked my gp to refer me for hormones which they did and endocrine said they didn't feel they need to see me. My GP isn't entertaining hrt because I'm 42. Daft I know. I also have inflammatory arthritis so I have lots going on and totally fed up. Seen the gp today. Blood pressure and pulse fine. Going to have another 24 monitor on Monday

I do appreciate you taking time to advise

You need a different GP.
Looked over your other posts and they include some that are all about perimeno symptoms. Your dr should go by your symptoms not your age. Is there another GP there who might be better?

The other thing is...you do seem to have issues around health. Almost all your back posts are on health- you, your kids, your family...it's not 'healthy' to be so obsessed. Has your GP suggested you have counselling or CBT for this?

I've already said I suffer with anxiety which I have had cbt and medicine for but life events have challenged me and I will never be completely free of it. I use mumsnet for advice. I appreciate your help but I would imagine if you searched most people they would have lots of posts. For what it's worth I have also posted about Cornwall holidays, coronation street and party ideas plus other stuff over the years.

I know and I'm sorry you are suffering from anxiety. But you aren't accepting advice on Mumsnet! You have asked for advice on this topic lots and everyone tries to reassure you but you don't want to accept that advice. If you look at the signs of a heart attack as I suggested you will see what you have is nothing like that at all.

Can you find a better doctor who will treat you for perimenopause, because palpitations are a common symptom along with your other peri symptoms? If your periods are heavy, all over the place and you have other symptoms, then HRT is the treatment especially at your age- classed as early menopause. You have to try to be assertive until someone takes this seriously. Good luck.

Anxiety causes strong and missed heart beats. Perimenopause causes some too. Heart attacks not so much...

I am a woman of 50ish, a bit fat, fairly fit, well and healthy - until suddenly I wasn't -

I have had a heart attack (Dec - so fairly recent). Mine started with a heavy pressure tight-band feeling around my chest, pain in the right side of my face so bad I could feel each individual tooth nerve, pain then went deep into my chest and over the cap of my left shoulder.

I knew instantly what the problem was. I was still able to walk around, and rang an ambulance etc. I had had no previous signs, just those occurring within 20 min.

Everyone is different, but most of the people I met in the hospital with the same trouble knew. They knew they were having a heart attack, they were not umming and ahhhing about what was up. There was a deep feeling of dread, that I - and they, had something very very very wrong indeed and needed it seeing to immediately.

Breaking...its not a case of not accepting advice, it's seeking reassurance and listening to similar situations too. I find mumsnet a comfort and helpful but if I'm honest I feel now like I don't want to post anything. You searching up everything I have posted and telling me how much I don't accept advice has made me feel uncomfortable about posting.
However I do agrew with what you're saying about being assertive with the gp. I am in control with my diffwrentissues as far as knowledge and what is acceptable but can only push so far. It sometimes feels like they are not listening hence my posts on mumsnet

Thank you beyond.
Hope all is well with you now

thank you mummytron - yes all is well - medication control of blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol as well as changing diet and upping exercise (and lowering stress - with 2 teens - HOW?) all underway. It was a wakeup call to make changes.

Perhaps (I hope you do not think I am being too forward) you could use your symptoms as a bit of a wakeup call to make changes in your life too? Do some stress reducers -
exercise - exercise in itself reduces stress, increases heart performance and generally produces feelgood chemicals

mindfullness training - Futurelearn (owned by the open university) are running a free online course in it right now. www.futurelearn.com/courses/mindfulness-wellbeing-performance

and if you think you are having perimenopause symptoms, go see if some of the supplements you can get would help - Menopace, that sort of thing.

Does your doctor's surgery have a website? If it does you may find the doctors there listed alongside their speciality/preference - I look on mine and choose someone who "fits" - rather than just seeing one person. It may take a couple of weeks to get an appointment with that person, but it is somewhere to start.

I hope you get whatever help you need, but you are right, you need to be the one who is in control.

Thank you thats good advice and I will definitely look into all that. I need to lose a stone too so that will be a good incentive

From someone who has had a heart attack
I awoke about 6.30 ish and felt discomfort
I'm type 1 diabetic, so went downstairs to check blood glucose - fine
Thought about using wii fit to dislodge whatever it was, but then felt very cold and clammy
Sat on stairs and was really scared and disoriented
Got upstairs and by then hubby and daughter awake - I don't remember much until ambulance came and did ecg - one line blocked so put me in ambulance - gave me morphine but blood pressure dropped phenomenally so waited until I was stable - couldn't give me any more as bp too low - went hell for leather to Harefield (10 mins fortunately) and then put in stent
Sitting up eating breakfast by 7.55
You know when you are having a heart attach - the pain and pressure get soooo intense

Perhaps I should add that DH said "oh go and check your blood sugar you silly cow "
Which will be engraved on his gravestone .....

Oops hubby!! 😂 thank you for answering. I know mine is not helped by anxiety but I've got soooo much going on its hard. Glad you're ok