Aa
family history of heart attack(is it anxiety?)
My dad died two and a half years ago(age55), and the doctors said it was a massive heart attack. I guess it had to have been, because not only two minutes prior I had hung up the phone with him and rushed home to find him on the ground, and dead. He had gotten really worked up ten minutes before which wasn't unusal for him, so I wanted to get away from him. Before I left he told me something wasn't right. I told him to sit down, relax, and breathe. For months he had complained of pain in his chest. I frequently took him to either the hospital or to his doctor. One time the doctors asked him to stay overnight to run test, after test, after test. Well after the umpteenth test he sweettalked a nurse into letting him go if the next test came back ok. Throughout all of these tests, nothing could be found wrong. They said it was acid reflux. IMPORTANT FACT: My grandpa(his dad) died in his fifties and had the same temperment. My dad was also misdiagnosed with M.S. After ten years of no symptoms of M.S. they deduced that the lack of feeling in his right hand was caused by a massive stroke. I think about that day and the prior year alot. I have his temperant as well, although I am a female. I have been suffering from what I believe is Anxiety. I am only 23 years old but in the past year I have gone to the urgent care twice because I was experiencing chest pains for a day or more. I, like him, have outrageous mood swings, extreme irritability, and social anxiety that can be disguised. Is it possible that mental health could be the cause of heart failure?Please help me understand.
My first post here, and I am almost in tears!! You all have been through so much...
Wow...I am finding kindred spirits!!
I just had these fluttery things that I've been having increasingly for the past 20 years stop me from getting my wisdom teeth out last Thursday. The oral surgeon had me hooked up to a heart monitor for the GA and he was like, "No way am I putting you under with this type of heart rhythm." And I was thinking, "What? I've had 5 abdominal surgeries, and the rhythms are such a problem NOW, when I want these teeth out of my head?" He used the words bigeminy and trigeminy and my bp was 187/102.
Oh great, something to worry about.... My Mom's Dad died at 65 of massive MI (actually 2) that occurred out of the blue. My Mom had what was euphamistically called a "cardiac event" by the time she was 40, which is the age I am now. I have other assorted aunts & uncles who died of strokes and heart attacks. PLUS, my Dad and his sibs all have out of control cholesterol, which my aunt died of complications from, and I just had mine taken and it is 288. Joy.
Plus, I am Type A, bring work home, check work email and voice mails even on my vacation and sick days. Get worked up about stuff so much my boss even tells me to chill or I will get a migraine, which happens a lot.
I feel better having told whoever's reading this, so thanks for reading this far. Maybe I'll die early maybe I won't, but it won't be because I didn't do anything about it.
I've got an echo and holter scheduled for tomorrow, you know the opening salvo of tests as they get a feel for how much testing I can tolerate and how good my insurance is....
Take good care all of you and thank you for putting your experiences "out there". Just knowing that one is not alone is comfort.
Wow...I am finding kindred spirits!!
I just had these fluttery things that I've been having increasingly for the past 20 years stop me from getting my wisdom teeth out last Thursday. The oral surgeon had me hooked up to a heart monitor for the GA and he was like, "No way am I putting you under with this type of heart rhythm." And I was thinking, "What? I've had 5 abdominal surgeries, and the rhythms are such a problem NOW, when I want these teeth out of my head?" He used the words bigeminy and trigeminy and my bp was 187/102.
Oh great, something to worry about.... My Mom's Dad died at 65 of massive MI (actually 2) that occurred out of the blue. My Mom had what was euphamistically called a "cardiac event" by the time she was 40, which is the age I am now. I have other assorted aunts & uncles who died of strokes and heart attacks. PLUS, my Dad and his sibs all have out of control cholesterol, which my aunt died of complications from, and I just had mine taken and it is 288. Joy.
Plus, I am Type A, bring work home, check work email and voice mails even on my vacation and sick days. Get worked up about stuff so much my boss even tells me to chill or I will get a migraine, which happens a lot.
I feel better having told whoever's reading this, so thanks for reading this far. Maybe I'll die early maybe I won't, but it won't be because I didn't do anything about it.
I've got an echo and holter scheduled for tomorrow, you know the opening salvo of tests as they get a feel for how much testing I can tolerate and how good my insurance is....
Take good care all of you and thank you for putting your experiences "out there". Just knowing that one is not alone is comfort.
I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad.
My Dad died suddenly of heart failure at age 55 on the 10th August this year,I am 27, I am really finding it hard to not cry every day, My dad was everything to me, my best friend, my rock, my strength, now he has gone i feel so weak, completely lost without him. Is this normal.
My Dad and I had a very unique relationship, he was the best Dad and friend anyone could ask for, it showed at his funeral(which is a complete blur to me, I was still in shock then) when 500 people turned up and there were over 60 flower arrangements! it was overwhelming.
My younger brother saw him die and is suffering from severe panic attacks, my Mum is also suffering with a terminal illness and is waiting for a lung transplant.
I am ok some days then (like today)some days I have really bad days.
My Mum came to stay with me and my partner for 3 months, and has now moved back to my parents house, which she is finding hard I call her every night and in the day time.
I would like to know if anyone else has lost their Dad suddenly like I did and was very close to their DAd, I just feel like noone understands, Heart failure seeems to be quite rare.
He never had a heart attack, no warning, no 2nd chance.
Please if you are in the same boat post a comment, it would really help
Thanks
Daddys little princess
My Dad died suddenly of heart failure at age 55 on the 10th August this year,I am 27, I am really finding it hard to not cry every day, My dad was everything to me, my best friend, my rock, my strength, now he has gone i feel so weak, completely lost without him. Is this normal.
My Dad and I had a very unique relationship, he was the best Dad and friend anyone could ask for, it showed at his funeral(which is a complete blur to me, I was still in shock then) when 500 people turned up and there were over 60 flower arrangements! it was overwhelming.
My younger brother saw him die and is suffering from severe panic attacks, my Mum is also suffering with a terminal illness and is waiting for a lung transplant.
I am ok some days then (like today)some days I have really bad days.
My Mum came to stay with me and my partner for 3 months, and has now moved back to my parents house, which she is finding hard I call her every night and in the day time.
I would like to know if anyone else has lost their Dad suddenly like I did and was very close to their DAd, I just feel like noone understands, Heart failure seeems to be quite rare.
He never had a heart attack, no warning, no 2nd chance.
Please if you are in the same boat post a comment, it would really help
Thanks
Daddys little princess
My father also passed at the age of 54, 3 years ago. He had a major heart attak that followed a stroke. I was 22 at the time, and I can still visualize everything, as he died in front of myself and my younger sister. My CPR efforts got his pulse back but by that time, the stroke had caused a massive insult to the brain. It really changes people to lose a loved one, and sometimes leaving those feelings bottled up can cause major anxiety issues.
My father never had a bad temper, though I could always sense him keeping all his anxiety to himself. I think it is important to open up, and not to let all your anxieties gather up inside. I am the same way,(always trying to find something wrong with me that will diagnose me of heart problems, or some kind of chronic disease that run in my family) but I have learned to just take care of myself, and let nature do what it's meant to do anyways, whether you stress about it or not. Just enjoy your life now, as everyone does have to die, so why waste life worrying about what might happen? I know its easier said than done, but just think of it this way.. if you stress about it, it can only make things worse, not better, and its always nice to open up, thats why I like these forums. Hope you find some way to relax and enjoy life....
My father never had a bad temper, though I could always sense him keeping all his anxiety to himself. I think it is important to open up, and not to let all your anxieties gather up inside. I am the same way,(always trying to find something wrong with me that will diagnose me of heart problems, or some kind of chronic disease that run in my family) but I have learned to just take care of myself, and let nature do what it's meant to do anyways, whether you stress about it or not. Just enjoy your life now, as everyone does have to die, so why waste life worrying about what might happen? I know its easier said than done, but just think of it this way.. if you stress about it, it can only make things worse, not better, and its always nice to open up, thats why I like these forums. Hope you find some way to relax and enjoy life....
Thanks for the reply....
From a fellow type A (working on that) yes, I do get palpitations when angry or otherwise emotionally upset. Sometimes I even get them when I am very happy/excited about something like when I am laughing. My mother, a long-time sufferer of these ectopic beats, gets them mostly when she is stressed about something or when she is angry.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
I can relate here as well, losing my dad to a heart attack 25 yrs. ago, he was only 47....He was a classic type A personality, brought work home w/him, smoked cigars...
I'm more relaxed than he was (generally), plus I don't smoke or drink...But this past weekend I let work really upset me...I got so worked up I'm still having palpatations, not fast/racing heart beat but the kind where you have skipped beats (or so it feels like a skipped beat)....Does anyone else have those types of palpatations when angered/upset, etc?....Thanks
I'm more relaxed than he was (generally), plus I don't smoke or drink...But this past weekend I let work really upset me...I got so worked up I'm still having palpatations, not fast/racing heart beat but the kind where you have skipped beats (or so it feels like a skipped beat)....Does anyone else have those types of palpatations when angered/upset, etc?....Thanks
Hi,
I feel all of your pain as well. My mother died at 45, after a long battle with atherlorosis? (hardening of the arteries). That was 12 years ago, and now that I'm 26 I've began to have anxiety symptoms. many Doctors have seen me, but always say that "Im too young to be having heart problems".
I had a stress test 3 years ago, everything was fine, holter test, normal. These things don't fix the anxiety, or that question in your mind whether your going to fall into your parents footsteps and die at 40 with a heart attack.
To this day I'm not sure if I have a heart problem, I suffer from chest pressure and breathing issues...or if its anxiety. I understand and feel your problem....we need more doctors who understand the facets of mental health...not all of us can shrug off chest pain.
I feel all of your pain as well. My mother died at 45, after a long battle with atherlorosis? (hardening of the arteries). That was 12 years ago, and now that I'm 26 I've began to have anxiety symptoms. many Doctors have seen me, but always say that "Im too young to be having heart problems".
I had a stress test 3 years ago, everything was fine, holter test, normal. These things don't fix the anxiety, or that question in your mind whether your going to fall into your parents footsteps and die at 40 with a heart attack.
To this day I'm not sure if I have a heart problem, I suffer from chest pressure and breathing issues...or if its anxiety. I understand and feel your problem....we need more doctors who understand the facets of mental health...not all of us can shrug off chest pain.
I can relate here as well, losing my dad to a heart attack 25 yrs. ago, he was only 47....He was a classic type A personality, brought work home w/him, smoked cigars...
I'm more relaxed than he was (generally), plus I don't smoke or drink...But this past weekend I let work really upset me...I got so worked up I'm still having palpatations, not fast/racing heart beat but the kind where you have skipped beats (or so it feels like a skipped beat)....Does anyone else have those types of palpatations when angered/upset, etc?....Thanks
I'm more relaxed than he was (generally), plus I don't smoke or drink...But this past weekend I let work really upset me...I got so worked up I'm still having palpatations, not fast/racing heart beat but the kind where you have skipped beats (or so it feels like a skipped beat)....Does anyone else have those types of palpatations when angered/upset, etc?....Thanks
I also lost my father to a massive heart attack. He was only 43 and I was a preschooler. It was my birthday , we'd had a party and I don't know if that added to his stress level or not but, shortly after I was put to bed, he collapsed in the livingroom. My mother tried to give him his med (nitro?) but didn't succeed. She didn't know CPR.
My father also had a volatile temperament and I have it as well, though, being socialized female I suppress it more. Most people would describe me as even keeled. I am not. It's not anxiety for me it's temper. I can feel it rising, face flushing and stop it there. If you have a strong family history, it is always wise to get all appropriate testing and, if you have high blood pressure or other risk factors, medication and lifestyle modifications are important.
Exercise and meditation are good for anxiety.
It could be that lots of people are anxious and some just happen to have heart disease as well. Still,there are some differences in people that may make them more susceptible to certain aggravating factors.
Were I young, and currently healthy, I would do my best to address the anxiety issue and live as happily as I can, to embrace my good health and address issues as they come along, not try to anticipate them. I'm sorry, I know it's easy to say that and a lot harder to do it.
I wish you all the best.
My father also had a volatile temperament and I have it as well, though, being socialized female I suppress it more. Most people would describe me as even keeled. I am not. It's not anxiety for me it's temper. I can feel it rising, face flushing and stop it there. If you have a strong family history, it is always wise to get all appropriate testing and, if you have high blood pressure or other risk factors, medication and lifestyle modifications are important.
Exercise and meditation are good for anxiety.
It could be that lots of people are anxious and some just happen to have heart disease as well. Still,there are some differences in people that may make them more susceptible to certain aggravating factors.
Were I young, and currently healthy, I would do my best to address the anxiety issue and live as happily as I can, to embrace my good health and address issues as they come along, not try to anticipate them. I'm sorry, I know it's easy to say that and a lot harder to do it.
I wish you all the best.
I am so sorry about your father's death, and for the pain you and he must have experienced all these years.
As people here say, when you have anxiety--perfectly understandable, by the way--finding a way to deal with it is terribly important, regardless of whether or not there are also cardiac symptoms.
Your mention of extreme mood swings and irritibility makes me wonder, apropos of my own family's experiences, if perhaps bipolar disorder is involved. I hope you will be seeing a counselor about both your anxiety and these other difficulties.
As people here say, when you have anxiety--perfectly understandable, by the way--finding a way to deal with it is terribly important, regardless of whether or not there are also cardiac symptoms.
Your mention of extreme mood swings and irritibility makes me wonder, apropos of my own family's experiences, if perhaps bipolar disorder is involved. I hope you will be seeing a counselor about both your anxiety and these other difficulties.
Just wanted to say I'm very sorry for the loss of your Dad, you have my deepest sympathy, at 55 your Dad was still quite young and had alot of years ahead of him. I am also of the personality you speak , I have PVCs, tachy , chest pain and such, though no family history of heart disease, this has been happening to me since my teens and 20s and I'll turn 42 next month.
With a strong family it is always better to be thoroughly checked out, genetics play a huge role in the development of CAD, though you probably have nothing to worry about now. At least you aware that you have genetic predisposition to developing CAD and maybe this is causing you a great anxiety at present, at least you are one step ahead and can take preventative actions. My opinion is that your symptoms are more anxiety related because of your awareness of this. The CCF doc gave some good advice regarding this. My best wishes goes out to you , relax , seek couseling or guidance, also reassurance is key. Be well and take care.
With a strong family it is always better to be thoroughly checked out, genetics play a huge role in the development of CAD, though you probably have nothing to worry about now. At least you aware that you have genetic predisposition to developing CAD and maybe this is causing you a great anxiety at present, at least you are one step ahead and can take preventative actions. My opinion is that your symptoms are more anxiety related because of your awareness of this. The CCF doc gave some good advice regarding this. My best wishes goes out to you , relax , seek couseling or guidance, also reassurance is key. Be well and take care.
Your post sure hit home. I am so sorry about your dad. I have an extremely similar family history, and my grandfather, father and myself all have the same temperament you describe.
My grandfather suffered a massive fatal MI at age 55. They had suggested a cardiac catherization to him, but when told of the risks he declined. He was subsequently released, called my grandmother to come get him, and was dead before she arrived ten minutes later.
My father, at 47, underwent a triple bypass and nearly died on the table because they perforated an artery while inserting it (years of Prednisone for Chrons Disease, not necessarily a medical mistake). Earlier that day he'd been mowing the lawn and "just didn't feel right". By the time he got into the house he felt like someone stuck a metal spike through him and then parked a truck on his chest. Fortunately he survived, 10 years now. He's had three more stents, new sites, since. For several years prior to his bypass, he had gone to the ER multiple times with chest pain. He was told he had reflux. Only when they did a catherization after a slightly abnormal EKG did they discover three near-complete blockages.
As someone else mentioned, I think all of the testing can fall short in the young. The best you and I can do is use the knowledge we have to keep our coronary arteries healthy (avoid trans fats, saturated fats and unhealthy habits such as smoking) and do everything we can to appropriately manage stress. Keep tabs on your cholesterol, make efforts to raise or keep HDL levels up, and get plenty of exercise. Nothing is a guarantee, but we also don't have to become a family history statistic either.
Take care of yourself.
My grandfather suffered a massive fatal MI at age 55. They had suggested a cardiac catherization to him, but when told of the risks he declined. He was subsequently released, called my grandmother to come get him, and was dead before she arrived ten minutes later.
My father, at 47, underwent a triple bypass and nearly died on the table because they perforated an artery while inserting it (years of Prednisone for Chrons Disease, not necessarily a medical mistake). Earlier that day he'd been mowing the lawn and "just didn't feel right". By the time he got into the house he felt like someone stuck a metal spike through him and then parked a truck on his chest. Fortunately he survived, 10 years now. He's had three more stents, new sites, since. For several years prior to his bypass, he had gone to the ER multiple times with chest pain. He was told he had reflux. Only when they did a catherization after a slightly abnormal EKG did they discover three near-complete blockages.
As someone else mentioned, I think all of the testing can fall short in the young. The best you and I can do is use the knowledge we have to keep our coronary arteries healthy (avoid trans fats, saturated fats and unhealthy habits such as smoking) and do everything we can to appropriately manage stress. Keep tabs on your cholesterol, make efforts to raise or keep HDL levels up, and get plenty of exercise. Nothing is a guarantee, but we also don't have to become a family history statistic either.
Take care of yourself.
My heart goes out to you for the loss of your Dad. You did all in your power to care for him by taking him to the doctor and the hospital...he chose to make his own decision regarding further workup. I am commenting to you because all this sounds too familiar.
My father had 4 vessel coronary artery bypass surg. at age 58. His father died of a massive heart attack at age 52. I have the same type A personality as my father and anxiety in new social situations, all of which is stress on the body, resulting in high blood presure, digestive problems etc. Genetic predisposition to elevated cholesterol and poor diet does not help either.
I suffered daily from an irregular heartbeat that started six years ago apparently from Mitral Valve prolapse that was causing a significant blood backup. The anxiety and fear of sudden death was overwhelming at times and I became afraid to do things I always enjoyed.....however, after testing and finding one of the most understanding cardiologist who truly put my mind at ease I no longer suffer from the continued daily irreg. heartbeats...but accept them. I hope you will be able to get testing and reassurance that will decrease your anxiety and fears...I realize it is easier said than done...but this forum is an excellent start with many well wishers who have been there, done that! Good Luck.
My father had 4 vessel coronary artery bypass surg. at age 58. His father died of a massive heart attack at age 52. I have the same type A personality as my father and anxiety in new social situations, all of which is stress on the body, resulting in high blood presure, digestive problems etc. Genetic predisposition to elevated cholesterol and poor diet does not help either.
I suffered daily from an irregular heartbeat that started six years ago apparently from Mitral Valve prolapse that was causing a significant blood backup. The anxiety and fear of sudden death was overwhelming at times and I became afraid to do things I always enjoyed.....however, after testing and finding one of the most understanding cardiologist who truly put my mind at ease I no longer suffer from the continued daily irreg. heartbeats...but accept them. I hope you will be able to get testing and reassurance that will decrease your anxiety and fears...I realize it is easier said than done...but this forum is an excellent start with many well wishers who have been there, done that! Good Luck.
Hello,
I am sorry for your loss and understand how experiences like that can replay in your mind. Unfortunately you will probably never know exactly what happened. Stress testing is very good at diagnosing coronary artery disease and stable angina. It is not as great at predicting heart attacks in young people. Heart attacks in young people can be from rupture plaques with little or know evidence of underlying coronary artery disease.
It is more difficult to treat coronary artery disease in people with anxiety because the symptoms can be exactly the same. If you have a strong family history of coronary artery disease, it is important that you control your risk factors as much as possible -- no smoking, treat diabetes and hypertension, control you weight and physical conditioning and make sure your cholesterol is within or better than guidelines.
It situations like yours I also think that counseling is well worth it to help teach you to recognize and control your anxiety.
I hope this answers your questions. Good luck and thanks for posting.
I am sorry for your loss and understand how experiences like that can replay in your mind. Unfortunately you will probably never know exactly what happened. Stress testing is very good at diagnosing coronary artery disease and stable angina. It is not as great at predicting heart attacks in young people. Heart attacks in young people can be from rupture plaques with little or know evidence of underlying coronary artery disease.
It is more difficult to treat coronary artery disease in people with anxiety because the symptoms can be exactly the same. If you have a strong family history of coronary artery disease, it is important that you control your risk factors as much as possible -- no smoking, treat diabetes and hypertension, control you weight and physical conditioning and make sure your cholesterol is within or better than guidelines.
It situations like yours I also think that counseling is well worth it to help teach you to recognize and control your anxiety.
I hope this answers your questions. Good luck and thanks for posting.
You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Forum
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.
