Heart issue or an Anxiety Issue? Please respond. Anyone and everyone.

Hi there.
I will start off by saying I am a 21 year old male. I am 5'10" and 135 or 140 lbs. I do not smoke (Never have.) I do not drink (Never have.) and I do not abuse any kind of drugs (Never have.) I have a decent diet. I exercise. I do not have any chest pain or any of that. But I am worried that my condition could be a heart related issue. I never really started having these issues, until I started isolating myself from my friends and everyone else (when I was about 16) I tend to stay at home more, and just hang out and play music, and do stuff on the computer. I rarely go out with friends or anything. Again, I didn't seem to have these problems until I was about 16 and around that time was when I isolated myself from my peers.  I more than likely have an anxiety issue. I feel as though when I go out in public and am surrounded by a bunch of people, that is when my symptoms kick in (racing heart beat, feeling like i cant breathe, light headed, etc) but when I am in my "safe place" such as my home, I do not have those symptoms. It only happens when I am out. Like I said, I never get chest pain or anything like that, it is mainly just the symptoms I listed above. But I am always fearful that my chest is just one day going to start hurting really bad, and I will collapse and have a heart attack or cardiac arrest or something like that. I have asked my family what they think of it, and they have all told me they think it is anxiety. I do not have heart issue history in my family, but I do have anxiety and panic related history in my family. I guess I would like to know what anyone thinks of this. Heart issue or anxiety? and what the likelyness of someone my age with my kind of lifestyle having a heart attack or some kind of heart issue. I had no birth defects when I was born. And again, I have no heart issue history in my family. (Except my sister has a very SLIGHT en-larged heart, but I believe that is from past drug use.

Anyway,
Anyone with any advice or anything, please respond to this post. I would love any and all help I can get.
Thanks a lot.

[ireneo]

Being anxious does trigger increased heart rate, breathing problems, light headedness and a whole host of other symptoms. I know you feel safe at home; that's my sanctuary too. But the more isolated you become, the harder it will be for you to deal with the outside world when you have to.

It's always good to have the physical side of you checked out now and then. But if you're healthy overall, including a normal heart, then it's time to deal with the emotional side. It will be better for you to find a balance. You don't have to turn into a wild party animal but you will feel better if you can have a few friends, get out and about without stressing too much. Personally, I adore people but just one or two at a time. Crowds wear me out.  LOL

[woogie]

Hi there!... It sounds like anxiety to me too. I think you should go see a doc if you havnt already. Not because I think it is something to do with your heart, but I know if a Doctor told you your heart is fine, then I believe you will be less anxious. Then as Ireneo said, if you still have symptoms, then address that. There are many good books on the subject of how to overcome anxiety that you might read. I want to congratulate you on all the "nevers"! Most young people your age are not as wise. I hope you will find peace & ENJOY your life without ANY anxiety!

[Shadowfluffy6]

it's an anixety issue