too young to be worried?

[picco25]

I am a 21 year old female with a history of heart disease in the family among those who were smokers. For the past few months I have been having occasional (ranges from every few days to everyday) pain in what seems like the carotid artery on the left side of my neck.  This pain can last minutes or hours and ranges in severity.  It is not muscular pain, such as a stiff neck, and it does not hurt when touched or when I move my neck. It is almost like a throbbing pain. Do I have any reason to be concerned?

[Forum-M.D.-bkj]

Picco,

Any persistent change in your health that is worrisome to you you should look into. If your symptoms continue, I would ask your physician his/her thoughts. I can't really comment too much more without examining you.

good luck

[Schmoomcgoo]

You don't mention whether you smoke or what the manefestations of heart disease are/were among family members who smoke.  That info might be helpful.  Also are you on any medications?

If you are concerned enough to be posting here it's probably worth a trip to the doctor's office in my opinion.  Don't just blow it off.  A doctor who is good with a stethescope can tell a lot with that simple instrument.  It may be something with a very simple explanation or it may be something serious.  Either way, you only help yourself by getting it checked out.

Check back and let us know that you're okay. :)

[picco25]

I am a non-smoker.

[Phoenix48]

Hi, im really new at this but i just need advice. I'm an 18 year old female, who was just recently diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia, and boy has it been scary. I had chest pains, shortness o breath, palpitations, numbness in my fingers, and i just felt awful. When I was finally diagnosed, i went to a clinic in florida to have a catheater ablation done, to burn the extra node i had, causing me all this trouble. When the procedure was over, the doctor told me that he didn't get everything, but i should not experience any more problems, despite this procedure being sucessul 95% of the time. After a few weeks, i still thought my heart was racing and my hand and feet would start racing. I went back to the doctor, and he told me to take a stress test. My stress test showed that everything was back to normal. I have been taking beta blocker medicines for about 1 month now, and am basically suffering from anxiety, because o all i have went through. i hope im ok, but i still worry that my heart my race again or might simply just stop.. anyone have any advice, suggestions or encouragement?