I'm convinced I have an undiagnosed heart problem

[Alwaysworrying25]

Just that really. I'm convinced I have an undiagnosed heart condition and I'm a ticking time bomb, but the doctors don't listen to me. I've had periods for years, of heart palpitations, chest pains at rest and with exercise, breathlessness, light headedness, random episodes of racing heart to the point I feel unable breathe or move properly, which do actually fuel my anxiety. I've been to th GP many times, I've been to A & E many times. Every time they say my heart is fine but how do they know that? I had a 24 hrs holter monitor about 2 years ago, which found ectopic beats, they said every other beat was an extra bear but that this was normal and benign? But how do they know that? Without doing other tests?

I do have a history of OCD, and health anxiety and I think this is why the doctors say it's all in my head but it's really affecting my life. I'm sure something is seriously wrong and I truly feel like I'm a ticking time bomb and I'll drop dead at any moment. I'm so scared.

I looked at seeing a private cardiologist but I just couldn't no afford to do it. How can I make them listen to me and give me the neccesry tests to check my heart? I have a young son with special needs and I'm making myself sick that I'm not going to be here for him one day soon when this happens.

To add, I am overweight so I guess this does contribute to some of my symptoms and I'm working on losing weight.

Iv had all the blood tests, vitamin d, iron etc which all day sufficient. This is ongoing since my son was born so almost four years I've been having these symptoms.

I sympathise Op, I worry about my heath sometimes. Some people are aware of those palpitations and missed beats and some just aren’t. If you’re prone to anxiety then it makes it seems so much worse, many people just don’t even realise.

The heart isn’t meant to be completely regular either. When you present to an and e I’m sure they did an ECG? Which surely would have picked up if something was seriously wrong, as would the monitor.

Yes I've had many ECGs, but if you arent actually having an episode at the time it won't pick anything up. I'm concerned, it may be an issue where it's just not working properly, or maybe it is weak and it could stop suddenly and that there is something that could be done to prevent/treat it.

I wholeheartedly believe something is very wrong.

Please keep advocating for yourself. I had similar symptoms but only got help when my heart had actually gone into heart failure. Turns out I have pulmonary arterial hypertension, which is chronic and gets worse if you don’t get the medication to help suppress it. The earlier you catch it, the better your chances. My symptoms were breathlessness that got much worse with exertion and heart palpitations and light headedness. More women have this disease than men, there is a link with pregnancy hormones (I developed it after my second child and covid). Doctors have form for dismissing women and telling them they have anxiety or asthma. I was a previously healthy and active woman and now my life is very different, but I’m also aware that I’m lucky to still be here.

I’m not telling you this to worry you, but to hopefully encourage you not to give up if you think there is something wrong. If you can ask to see a pulmonary specialist rather than a cardiologist?

Funny that you used the word hypertension. I often have high blood pressure and they say it's because I'm overweight. This could be helpful to know. Thank you.

I have ectopic heartbeats, palpitations, chest pain and breathlessness. I went to the GP for years saying that something was wrong and I kept being told I was just anxious and there was nothing wrong. I knew it wasn't anxiety and knew that there was something else there. I just got lucky that on one go visit I got a new GP and she actually listened to me and referred me to cardiology. I was given an echo, treadmill test and a 48hr monitor. I was diagnosed with Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome(POTS). It isn't a serious diagnosis and is better controlled now with medication but it gave me peace of mind that my heart wasn't just going to give out one day. For me it was just persistence and luck that got me taken seriously in the end. It's a shit place to be when you don't feel listened to, I'm sorry that you are in that situation.

Have you monitored your blood pressure ? A lot fo those symptoms can be linked to prostatic hypotension or POTS

I think because I have suffered mental illness, (mostly anxiety) which I have been hospitalised for in the past that they don't believe me and think I'm making it up or something.

I do tend to have high blood pressure but not enough for medication. But it's on the higher side, they say it's because I'm overweight. I've suffered with BPPV too, and they did do a sitting and standing blood pressure check which apparently were normal. I also get pressure in my head with exertion too, I've heard this is a POTS symptom also.

I am exactly the same OP, had many tests and been told I’m fine, I’m just sensitive and so feel things more than others 😵‍💫 I just keep thinking it is not normal for my heart to race at 150-160 almost daily, albeit only for 1-2 mins each time. But no, it’s normal apparently 🤔🤷🏻‍♀️

Mine doesn't always come on just standing. It's mostly with excercise, but even walking up the stairs I get extremely breathless, my heart races, left side chest pain, my head goes funny, my ears start ringing. It's horrible. And not normal!

I have all of that too. My heart races even when I’m just sitting. The whole thing is awful and I truly can’t believe it’s normal.

Same. Also, I sometimes wake up in the night literally gasping for air and choking and my hearts racing. It's beats so fast for no reason sometimes I feel like it's going to explode. Its horrible and scary. I honestly believe it's going to stop soon or I'm.gkumg to have some kind of cardiac event.

How overweight are you? This could contribute to many of your symptoms as will your anxiety.

I am quite overweight. I'm 280lbs at 5'6. the biggest I've been BUT this is a weight gain of 40lbs over the last year (bad I know) but even when I was much smaller, I've had these symptoms. I know my weight will not be helping me and I'm working on that. But I really really don't think my weight is solely responsible for the symptoms I'm having. I've had an anxiety disorder my whole adult life. I'm 33 now.

Have you discussed your weight with your doctor?

The key question is whether you had an episode during the 24 hour ECG/holter test. If you did, and they were happy with the electrical activity in your heart during one, then that gives a lot of reassurance. If you didn't, then it may be worth repeating.

I had an episode here I could feel the skipped beats which obviously were detected but I didn't have an episode of the racing heart.

Yes. They tell me to loser weight. But I can't afford weight loss jabs and I do not meet the criteria for NHS. Hence I am trying to loser weight myself through calorie counting and eating better and making better choices.

Sorry to hear about your issues. I just wanted to reassure you that they won't have thought you were 'making it up' because of having anxiety, but anxiety causes the symptoms you are describing, and it one of the possible causes. Hope you get the help you need

I'm very surprised at that! Have they signed you up for the next level whereby you get an online course? The next is then referral to weight loss surgery people or meds. That's a BMI of 45. Are you on meds for your anxiety?

Waking up gasping for breath could be sleep apnoea which can cause weight gain. Have you had a heart echo?

Have you been checked for low blood pressure?

I do not have low blood pressure. It's high.

No, no echo. I was told it wasn't necessary

No, I take no medications for my anxiety, bit I choose to be unmedicated. My weight is a life long issue. I've always been up and down with my weight. I've never been slim. But because I don't have a weight related health condition apparently. Other than the occasional high blood BP, and elevated cholesterol. Apparently I'm otherwise healthy. (Aside from my mental health)