Always think there’s something up with my heart

[Kiwi8]

Hi just looking for someone to talk to really and some reassurance from others who have anxiety.
it’s a long one. So June 2024 I started having palpitations and fast heart beat since then alls I can do is think about my heart health. I get pain down left arm and jaw teeth and chest. Ive been to a&e 3 times this past year to be told it’s fine. Ive paid privately to have a stress echo which was done last week and it was normal. Am sitting here in tears because I’ve got a heavy feeling in in my chest and tight feeling in my throat. I just don’t know what to do anymore ❤️

Low iron and thyroid issues can cause palpitations, have you had any blood tests? They can also cause anxiety so definitely worth looking in to as all is okay heart waist.

Are you getting any help/support/treatment for your anxiety at all? So sorry you are struggling, anxiety sucks

Hi sack chute yes I’ve had all kinds of blood tests and they keep coming back fine! So I just don’t know what to do cos I’ve had so many tests. Am sitting here feeling like there’s something sitting on my chest and a tight throat. All this anxiety started when I had a b12 and folate defincey in 2023 and I’ve never been the same since. It’s just one thing after another.

And I tried cbt but it’s 90 pound a week I just can’t afford that. Am on a waiting list for one the doctor has referred me to. Thanks for replying xx

I wonder if you have GERD, OP.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease can cause a tight feeling in the chest due to acid reflux irritating the esophagus, which may mimic heart-related chest pain. This sensation is often described as burning or squeezing and can radiate to the shoulders or arms. While GERD does not directly cause heart palpitations, it may indirectly trigger them in some people, possibly through vagus nerve stimulation or shared triggers like stress.

Look up coronary vasospasms xx

I’ve had similar without pain. High blood pressure rapid heartbeat. I have b12 deficiency too. I have been having b12 jabs. Recently started beta blockers they have made a massive difference. Anxiety lowest it’s ever been.

I've had health anxiety that focused on something being wrong with my heart.

Obviously checking out the physical reasons first is the correct thing to do.

I had an nhs referral for CBT group meetings which really helped when it eventually happened. In the meantime I read a lot of books about anxiety and about CBT which was very useful for me and I learned to realise I wasn't alone and that I wasn't going mad; my thoughts were kicking off very strong physical sensations which then added to my anxiety and one fed the other. Might reading help you?

I'm sure there are also good YouTube videos and podcasts available too; helping with anxiety spirals and relaxation etc which were less widely established when I first had symptoms.

Anxiety can cause a huge range of symptoms, including the ones you are describing. If you have had heart checks and they are all normal, then the most likely cause is anxiety.

There is an app called Fibricheck which will test your heart rhythm and heart rate and give you analysis and reports of both. You can find similar apps or get a smartwatch (Huawei ones not too expensive). Phone the BHF helpline and talk to them about your symptoms. If you do all the former and keep a note of your symptoms, you might get your GP to listen.
I've been having heart problems since last summer, I even had some kind of event as they called it last autumn which the GP was dismissive about. I changed GP practice and went with my symptoms and evidence of the kind I've described and the new GP agreed to refer me.
You might have anxiety or other things that people have mentioned but heart issues are serious so don't take no for an answer. If your symptoms only appear sometimes, A&E isn't any good because they will just test briefly and send you home if they aren't happening then.
My issues are sporadic and related to exercise so, I had to keep going back. Don't give up.

Also, the Mental Health board on Mumsnet is very useful. Plenty of people with similar issues.

I sympathise a lot is miserable. I've had several trips to a&e convinced I was having a heart attack over the years. Including an ambulance trip.

I found the 24 hr heart monitor helped as I could compare what I was feeling with what my heart was doing.

Hi sorry for the late reply everyone thank you for replying. I’ve had a 24 hour ecg and it was normal caught a few palpitations but nothing worrying the doc said. I’ve had a little cry today as I’ve had a squeezing sensation from my upper left back under armpit to chest and feels like a tight band on my upper left arm. I have herniated discs in my cervical neck so I don’t know if this can cause the pain. I worry myself sick I come across all these stories on tick tok and I make myself so scared. Xx

Stop searching for stuff about it, you’re feeding the beast. CBT is good for this, it’s called catastrophic thinking, I do it because I saw my dad killed in front of me as a kid but it took me a long time to tease apart as I was told not to talk about my feelings so I feel it almost somatised in my body. Try to get out for walks and talk to friends or family if you can.

Also agree on getting checked for GERD.