Chest pains and labor scares???

[jackiemoo]

I am just scared to go ito labor, I am 12 weeks pregnant. I have been having major anxiety for the past year in a half and with it chest pains. I have a hard time excercising because it makes my heart rate go up and it scares me into an attack. I also get these wierd squeezing pains in my chest from time to time. They seem to go away if I push my stomach out and take off my bra. The Doctors have found nothing wrong with me, but I am still afraid that they might be misdiagnosing me and that I might just have a heart attack, especially while in labor. My heart rate fluctuates by quite a bit as well. It is often hard and fast and sometimes feels like ther is an extra beat. I mean, if I have a hard time running up the stairs, then labor should prove difficult right? I smoked for 10 years, but am otherwise in good shape and heart problems do not run im my family. I know that it is probably all in my head, but i am really scared nonetheless. Everytime I go see a Dr about it they just tell me it is anxiety and write it off. I have had an EKG several times and a 24 hour halter moniter but they found nothing. I want them to listen for a murmer, or tell me why I have pains and fast and hard heart beats. No one takes me seriousley because I am only 27. What test should I request. What should I tell my OBGYN? Please help.

[AndiJ78]

If the ekg is normal and they haven't picked up on anything even by listening to your heart, it is possible it isn't something actually related to your heart. With my dh and with both our boys, they made their initial dx via a simple listening of the heart with a stethescope. Further testing (ekgs, echos, and chest x-rays) confirmed their dx's. My dh was dx'd with Wolff Parkinson's White Disease which 2 surgeries corrected, but he was left with a murmur, my first had a VSD which closed on it's own but also left with a murmur, and my youngest as far as we know (next echo is in a month or two) is also just left with a murmur. Bless my dh for cursing our boys with funky hearts and green eyes. Now with our boys we are left to wait until they are older to see if they have WPWD.

There are a few things that can cause what you are describing. Sometimes hyperthyroidism can cause irregular heart rate, being out of shape on a cariovascular level can also cause it, generalized anxiety most certainly can cause it as well. I think the anxiety sounds like the most likely culprit, possibly in conjunction with the cardio fitness level.

I would certainly bring it up to your OB. Perhaps they would be willing to do a more in depth workup aside from the ekg. An echo would be most telling, but generally something would be expected to show up on the ekg.

Good luck, I hope you can find some sort of answers.

Andi

[jackiemoo]

Thank you so much. It makes me feel so much better to talk to someone that knows what they are talking about! I know that it is most likeley anxiety, but it is so hard to accept sometimes. I get so scared. I am a smart person and a strong woman, and sometimes I feel so silly being so afraid of this. So, do you think if I force myslef to do more cardio excercise then the pain and irratic heart rate will lessen? Do you think I will be ok in labor with pushing? I also notice that my heart rate becomes hard and fast when I have just eaten, am tired, or am nervous. It happens a lot in the late hours of the day. Early evening. I am usually great in the morning.

Thanks again!!

[Texas86]

I think your doctor should not take any chances and refer you to a cardiologist just to be safe! I think you should just tell your OB that you would like for him to refer you to one. I think this would probably help defuse a lot even if nothing is wrong it will take the stress off of feeling something is wrong. Good luck and Congrads on your baby!!!

[Texas86]

I think your doctor should not take any chances and refer you to a cardiologist just to be safe! I think you should just tell your OB that you would like for him to refer you to one. I think this would probably help defuse a lot even if nothing is wrong it will take the stress off of feeling something is wrong. Good luck and Congrads on your baby!!!

[AndiJ78]

Don't do anything drastic, but maybe start walking more, it is good for your overall health anyway. Perfectly normal people can suffer from anxiety disorders whether it be related to post traumatic stress disorder or generalize anxiety disorder. I was the victim of a very violent home invasion/sexual assualt in 2000. I took a lot of meds just to function afterwards and up until the day I found out I was pg with my oldest son. I still suffer with issues related to it and anxiety, though I haven't been medicated since early 2001.

It is very real and can be quite debilitating. If the cardio stuff turns up nothing, I recommend looking into seeking help from a mental health professional to help.

Andi