Scared to death of having a heart attack

[colzdad]

Hello, I'm new here, so please be gentle...lol. I have been scared of having a heart attack since my teens. I just turned 44. My blood pressure is usually 110's/60's 70's, My last cholesterol check was 176. I exercise most days a week (at least 5-6) My resting heart rate is upper 50's, lower 60's. A couple of years ago I went to the ER for pvc's(skipped heartbeats). The ER Dr. told me my EKG looked better than her's and everything was fine. I just can't get the thought of a pending heart attack out of my head. Every little chest pain has me thinking I'm about to die and the older I get, I know I'm only getting closer to a heart attack. My father died of a heart attack at 63, but he had High BP and diabetes, which also scares me since heart disease is hereditary, but my dad did nothing for as long as I can remember in terms of exercising. He sat at his job all day, then came home and sat in front of the tv for 30 years, so am I still destined to follow in his foot steps if I am somewhat trying to take care of myself? Thabnks

[Rs33]

Everyone Has PVCs whether thy are felt or not is a different story, They can be scarey and feel scarey but if the doc checks them out they can tell right away if there harmless or not seeing how you were checked out I would say you sound in perfect health...Honestly though if you are super concerned and its taking over your life tell your PD to send you to a cardiologist to ease your mind :)....I was convinced I was gunna die of a Heart attack or my heart was just going to stop I have several PVCs a day and there big where my heart feels like its gunna flop out of my chest I get dizzy and short of breath for a second or too but I just tell myself there fine normal and there not gunna kill me calms me down a lil bit but anyways....you sound in good health as long as you get your heart checked out and they say your good I would believe them :) Take care!!

[waynec3387]

i know what you are feeling thoughmy anxiety over this peaked in aug 2006 and got me on the right track. i started having panic attacks, when to the emergency room a couple of times.  my dad died of heart disease at 48 and my mom at 82 so i have a history as well. right now at 58 my BP, with light meds, diet and, exercise is low 110s/low 70s. my chloresterol is 232 but HDL is really good and i am doing weights 3x a week to work on that along with niacin and red rice yeast. i can't do statins.my md and i are working on getting that lower. i still get some upper left back pain and aches in my left side but no more big panic attacks and i have much less anxiety about my heart than a few years ago. one thing i did, ironically sonce here i am, is stopped doing medical website searches of every symptom.

[caregiver222]

PVC's or premature ventricular contractions are not necessarily "skipped heartbeats".

They are electrical events.

Curiously, it is possible to have a reasonably perfect EKG and the heart will not be beating. It's called electromechanical dissociation.

The chances are nothing is going to happen.

Everyone has ocasionally PVC's especially after drinking coffee or coca cola.

They are nothing to be concerned about.

Get the book "The Biology of Belief" by Dr. Bruce Lipton. You have to make sure your inappropriate concern does not become a self-fulfilling prophesy.

[MMahon]

It sounds like you are experiencing what's referrred to as 'health anxiety'.  An unusual obsession over the state of one's health.   In your case I can see why you are so concerned.
Heart disease has run in my family as well.
You seem to be doing all the right things when it comes to taking good care of yourself and your heart.  What is your bad cholesterol level?  My cardiologist wants mine in the 70's.  
I'm pretty convinced that rather then inheriting heart problems in my family we really inherited anxiety disorder.  It's the anxiety disorder that I believe was the major contributing factor.
Stress really takes it's toll out on the body.
Is fear of heart problems your only symptom of anxiety?   it is a symptom however and even thou you take great care of your health, it's still there and should be dealt with.   You came to this board and posted so that says somethiing about your concern.
Speak to your doctor about a referral to a good therapist who can help you with your health concerns and dealing with the anxiety from it.
I would advise you to get a cardiologist as well and get regular stress tests.  With your family history it'll be well worth it.  Let us know how you make out.