I'm 16, and, I'm scared

ok, I'm 16 year old female. I've been having weird, electrical shock-like pulses through what seems to be my heart.
It's been happenning for about four years and it started with occuring ever about 7 months, to about 4 times a day, and I'm getting a little concerned. I'm terrified to see a doctor, because I'm afraid to find out if I'm going to die. When these "attacks" come about they make my heart beat rise to here it feels as if its skipping beats, and I cant breathe. So if anyone can help me, please do.
thanks
~Angel

[Jerry_NJ]

Please do see a doctor, get some expert "hands on" advice.  It is my belief that you will be fine, but continued delay in getting medical attention could seriously increase your risk of complications.

Also, try to be calm.  Breath deeply for a while, not hyperventilate, and stay off of caffeine or any other stimulate and see how your heart feels.  Emotions and stimulants can disrupt normal heart pumping.

Jerry

[midnit_angel]

I don't ingest any caffeine, I stay away from that junk because I know how it affects you, and it doesnt seem to make a difference.
Also, no stimulates, except maybe a non aspirin here and there for migrains.

I'm just a little concerned on how I'm supposed to deal with the "attacks" at school. I kinda have to breathe in gym.

Thanks for your response.
~Angel

[jondsam]

Go see a doctor for ***** sake.  You need to wear a holter monitor to try and capture one of these events.  Why be scared to find out your going to die, if you dont see a doctor you might die anyways

[midnit_angel]

my family thinks its a act, therefore, it's easier said than done.

[goodeys]

It doesn't matter what your family thinks, you need to get yourself checked out. I am sure that you will be fine but you should always get something like this checked out. I have had many a heart problem but there is nothing physically wrong with my heart, turns out that it is just anxiety. But you need to see a doc to get any kind of diagnosis, no one on this site can do this for you so take charge and get yourself to Doctors surgery hunny. You will feel so much better to know what is going on rather than imagining what is wrong and coming up with the worst case scenerio.

Let us know how you get on.

[Jerry_NJ]

Do you have a school nurse service in your high school?  That may be a way to get help getting to a doctor.  Talk to s/he and see what they say.  An experience nurse can at least tell you if s/he hears anything unusual.  This isn't a replacement for an examination by a medical doctor, but it could be a good first step.

If you are not covered by insurance there may be concern about the cost ... try to find a way around that if it is the problem.  

No assumptions here, I'm just "brain storming" with you on how you might get help from a medical doctor.

[crystalhanzelka]

I can not believe you would post something like that here.  Way to kick someone when they are down.  That just blows my mind that you would say something like that to a 16 year old who is scared....

[Me967]

I agree totally with Jerry_NJ.  Going to your school nurse would be a great start!  I think most are RN's but I'm not sure.  When you are feeling out of breath though and feeling these pains ask to be excused to go to the nurse then.  

The nurse I don't believe can repeat anything you tell them if you ask them not to.  If they warrant anything being wrong with what they hear while listening to your chest, then you could ask them about a way to get help as stated earlier.  Nerves can cause you a lot of havoc.  It's a possibility it's just nerves.  Better to let a doctor tell you though.  Best of wishes Sweety.  ;-)  

[midnit_angel]

Thanks for the help. I havent been on in awhile. My mom still ignores it, but I can go see the nurse, she should be able to do something at least or reccomend something.
thanks for your continud support.
~Angel

[Lynn63]

I agree that school nurse would be a good start.  

I'm sure there are many things that could cause the symptoms you describe.

one thing that may be helfpul is to ask her to take your blood pressure/pulse laying down and standing.  If your pulse increases by 30 beats per minute from laying down to standing that can be indicative of POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome).

Best of luck in your search for answers and please let us know how your are doing.
Lynn:)