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
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Worrying about heart problem

59 replies

CleoKitten · 10/12/2023 21:15

I have terrible health anxiety. About a year ago I started getting really bad heart palpitations or pounding heart. Sometimes they would last for hours and my heart would constantly beat sooo fast. This is when my anxiety around my heart started. As a rule my health anxiety was always more of a fear of death, blood clots, cancers etc. iv been backwards and forwards for tests. I did get some chest pains as well which I still have from time to time especially when active. I had countless blood tests and ECGs from my many trips to A & E for chest pains. I also had a referral to cardiology and a 24hr heart montirt. They said they found ectopic beats and the occasional flutter and thud. They obviously aren't concerned and said ectopic beats are normal and actually most people have them. I had another episode two weeks ago when I was out where my heart just started pounding and beating so fast. I'm so so worried that I have a heart problem or an undiagnosed heart condition. Cardiology have discharged me and said I have nothing wrong with my heart but my argument is unless that have actually looked like really looked at my heart structure how do they know?? I'm so anxious about my heart I'm constantly checking my pulse, my bp. I have this massive fear that my heart will literally just stop. My docs are sick of seeing me and just give me beta blockers but I feel like this isn't the answer plus the side effects are pretty grim and present otwj challenges because then I worry they will actually affect my heart. I'm not sure what I want from this. Are these unreasonable fears? Am I being unreasonable and just crazy to not b satisfied with the answers they doctors am have given me? You read all thentim about people being robbed off and then actually having deadly conditions. This has been going on for well over a year and frankly it's debilitating the constant fear and worry.

OP posts:
Pigeonqueen · 10/12/2023 21:18

I mean this kindly but are you menopausal- aged around late thirties onwards? I’m asking because I had exactly the same thing as you and mine was related to the decline in my oestrogen levels. I do have complex health needs which means I went into early menopause aged 37 but once I started on HRT it all completely cleared up.

FatFatMary · 10/12/2023 21:19

Didn’t cardiology do an ultrasound ? I get health anxiety as well, specifically about blood clots

lkmbj · 10/12/2023 21:19

You are right. You have terrible health anxiety. Seek treatment for this.

Original poster
CleoKitten · 10/12/2023 21:22

Pigeonqueen · 10/12/2023 21:18

I mean this kindly but are you menopausal- aged around late thirties onwards? I’m asking because I had exactly the same thing as you and mine was related to the decline in my oestrogen levels. I do have complex health needs which means I went into early menopause aged 37 but once I started on HRT it all completely cleared up.

I'm 31 xx

OP posts:
Original poster
CleoKitten · 10/12/2023 21:24

FatFatMary · 10/12/2023 21:19

Didn’t cardiology do an ultrasound ? I get health anxiety as well, specifically about blood clots

No they didn't. They said it's not necessary because the ECG and monitor would have picked up any harmful abnormality which I think is a crock of crap. If I had the money I would go private.

OP posts:
Original poster
CleoKitten · 10/12/2023 21:25

lkmbj · 10/12/2023 21:19

You are right. You have terrible health anxiety. Seek treatment for this.

I am in treatment by means of therapy and CBT and medication. Sadly I've seen no improvement.

OP posts:
Alwaystired23 · 10/12/2023 21:31

I became anxious around the age of 37. I was convinced I would get cancer and die. I can't describe how real this felt ( and sometimes still feel real). The joke of it all, is when I was 30, I had a pregnancy related TIA. I had a lot of tests, and I was diagnosed with tricuspid valve regurgitation and mild pulmonary hypertension. It's weird, this doesn't bother me at all....I'm more concerned I will die from cancer. All I can say is, the brain and anxiety is the most random thing. I think your heart palpitations sound like anxiety.

FatFatMary · 10/12/2023 21:33

CleoKitten · 10/12/2023 21:24

No they didn't. They said it's not necessary because the ECG and monitor would have picked up any harmful abnormality which I think is a crock of crap. If I had the money I would go private.

Show quote history

It would cost about £200 to get an ultrasound private. Would be worth it to put your mind at rest

Original poster
CleoKitten · 10/12/2023 21:38

Alwaystired23 · 10/12/2023 21:31

I became anxious around the age of 37. I was convinced I would get cancer and die. I can't describe how real this felt ( and sometimes still feel real). The joke of it all, is when I was 30, I had a pregnancy related TIA. I had a lot of tests, and I was diagnosed with tricuspid valve regurgitation and mild pulmonary hypertension. It's weird, this doesn't bother me at all....I'm more concerned I will die from cancer. All I can say is, the brain and anxiety is the most random thing. I think your heart palpitations sound like anxiety.

Yes. When the cardiologist wrote the discharge letter he said it's anxiety and depressive disorder, GERD and gallstones. GERD and gallstones for the chest pains I agree could be but not for the palpitations, racing heart etc

OP posts:
titchy · 10/12/2023 21:56

They said it's not necessary because the ECG and monitor would have picked up any harmful abnormality which I think is a crock of crap.

Of course an abnormality would have an impact on an ECG. They're experts not you.

Alwaystired23 · 10/12/2023 21:56

FatFatMary · 10/12/2023 21:33

It would cost about £200 to get an ultrasound private. Would be worth it to put your mind at rest

Show quote history

The only problem with this is, will the OP believe the results, or will she fixate on something else? The only reason I say this, is because when I was experiencing awful anxiety, I paid £180 to see a specialist, and as soon as I walked out of the appointment, I was full of anxiety again. I didn't believe a word I'd been told. I look back now and wish I hadn't wasted the money. That said, if the OP feels that it will put her mind at rest, then it may be worth it?

Original poster
CleoKitten · 10/12/2023 21:59

Alwaystired23 · 10/12/2023 21:56

The only problem with this is, will the OP believe the results, or will she fixate on something else? The only reason I say this, is because when I was experiencing awful anxiety, I paid £180 to see a specialist, and as soon as I walked out of the appointment, I was full of anxiety again. I didn't believe a word I'd been told. I look back now and wish I hadn't wasted the money. That said, if the OP feels that it will put her mind at rest, then it may be worth it?

Show quote history

I totally understand and I do agree to a certain extent that Im highly likely to not believe it when someone tells me im fine. I don't know. I'm just convinced that something is missing. Its a long time to have these symptoms and I feel like the doctors are so sick of seeing me that they don't take me serious anymore. Its irrelevant, I don't have the money really to pay privately and my husband would most definitely not agree for such an expense.

OP posts:
Chocpot1986 · 10/12/2023 22:08

Hey OP, have you had any blood tests? Xx

gamerchick · 10/12/2023 22:08

CleoKitten · 10/12/2023 21:38

Yes. When the cardiologist wrote the discharge letter he said it's anxiety and depressive disorder, GERD and gallstones. GERD and gallstones for the chest pains I agree could be but not for the palpitations, racing heart etc

Show quote history

Anxiety, dehydration, low iron can cause what you're describing OP. Instead of super focusing on this why don't you channel that energy into making sure you're keeping your body running the way it prefers. Keeping healthy is the kind thing to do

Beta blockers slow your heart and the feelings of random adrenaline. Take them, they'll help.

Original poster
CleoKitten · 10/12/2023 22:12

Chocpot1986 · 10/12/2023 22:08

Hey OP, have you had any blood tests? Xx

I've had loads of tests, FBC, thyroid, iron, but D, ferratin. All th common ones and some.itjer not so common ones. My ferratin was low at 11 but they said they weren't concerned. I also have low cortisol and have been referred to Endocrinology. My doctor says my palpitations aren't related to anything they have found. They've found nothing concerning in regards to the bloods.

OP posts:
Original poster
CleoKitten · 10/12/2023 22:13

gamerchick · 10/12/2023 22:08

Anxiety, dehydration, low iron can cause what you're describing OP. Instead of super focusing on this why don't you channel that energy into making sure you're keeping your body running the way it prefers. Keeping healthy is the kind thing to do

Beta blockers slow your heart and the feelings of random adrenaline. Take them, they'll help.

Show quote history

Yes I know but my irrational brain tells me what if the tablets slow my heart too much? So it does stop? I also read that beta blockers can caus cardiac events as well as antidepressants so I struggle to take those as well. I don't have low iron.

OP posts:
WashItTomorrow · 10/12/2023 22:16

You’re feeding into the anxiety with this. Having more and more investigations will make you worse, not better.

gamerchick · 10/12/2023 22:22

The best thing you can do for your heart and your anxiety is exercise.

If beta blockers slowed the heart down too much they wouldn't give them for heart conditions.

Original poster
CleoKitten · 10/12/2023 22:32

Eyesopenwideawake · 10/12/2023 22:26

Have a look at this video about what anxiety does to your body;

s

It's biology, pure and simple.

What happened a year ago?

I can't wait think of anything that actually happened. I just had an episode of palpitations hat lasted 5/6 hours and since then the fear has been there. I've had health anxiety and OCD for about 13 years though

OP posts:
muckymayhem · 10/12/2023 22:39

Did you have an ECG done whilst you were actually experiencing the palpitations that lasted 5/6 hours?

Original poster
CleoKitten · 10/12/2023 22:47

muckymayhem · 10/12/2023 22:39

Did you have an ECG done whilst you were actually experiencing the palpitations that lasted 5/6 hours?

Yes I went to A & E and they said they didn't pick anything up

OP posts:
WashItTomorrow · 10/12/2023 22:58

I agree with the pp upthread who said exercise. As much as you can. It’ll be a distraction for you, and it relieves stress. It’ll make your heart fitter, your body fitter and your mind. A good exercise plan will give you something to aim for and hopefully will stop you being stuck over and over on this health anxiety.

Original poster
CleoKitten · 10/12/2023 23:03

WashItTomorrow · 10/12/2023 22:58

I agree with the pp upthread who said exercise. As much as you can. It’ll be a distraction for you, and it relieves stress. It’ll make your heart fitter, your body fitter and your mind. A good exercise plan will give you something to aim for and hopefully will stop you being stuck over and over on this health anxiety.

I am quite active. I walk 5k everyday sometimes more pushing my toddler in his pram (mon-fri) I didnt tdo this initially for exercise. It was more a coping mechanism as when DP is at work I can't be alone in the house with my toddler for fear of having some kind of sudden cardiac event so my logic is if I'm out and.abku at least I have a chance of being saved by someone.

OP posts:
WashItTomorrow · 10/12/2023 23:12

CleoKitten · 10/12/2023 23:03

I am quite active. I walk 5k everyday sometimes more pushing my toddler in his pram (mon-fri) I didnt tdo this initially for exercise. It was more a coping mechanism as when DP is at work I can't be alone in the house with my toddler for fear of having some kind of sudden cardiac event so my logic is if I'm out and.abku at least I have a chance of being saved by someone.

Show quote history

If you are concerned about your health, then you need to do more than pushing your toddler around. 5k is good but it depends how fast you walk for it to be effective exercise. Also, you need to consider the harm you are doing to your child, even if you don’t mean to. Can you find something else to commit to? Make a plan that you will do x so many times a week. It doesn’t matter what it is - something that helps your life values.

Swipe left for the next trending thread