Heart problem or Anxiety?

[luv2read]

Hi. I'm a 31 year old woman, 5'3" and 190 lbs but am otherwise healthy. I do not smoke/drink, and my cholesterol levels in the past years were good (due to have another test next month but do not anticipate that history changing). I have a tremendous fear of heart problems due to my doctor several years ago thinking she heard a "fluttering" in my chest. She sent me downstairs where they did an echocardiogram, and the technician told me she thought she saw a hole in my heart and a blood clot on my lung. Scared half to death, I then had a CT scan which revealed that there was no blood clot at all, and so then I was referred to see the clinic cardiologist A MONTH LATER. I decided I couldn't wait that long, and didn't really trust the clinic's doctors anyway, so I went to the city where they have an EXCELLENT heart doctor who saw me within a week. He stood right beside the tech while an echo was done on my heart and they also looked at my lungs. He told me he saw nothing wrong with my heart whatsoever, that my lungs looked great, and my arteries looked to be in great condition. That was 2 1/2 years ago.

I know I have panic attacks, especially when it comes to worrying about my health/trusting doctors. After that situation, I've been scared to death that the doctor might be wrong; that I might, in fact, have a heart condition. Any time I have a slight chest pain or something, I get anxious and panicky. This week, I've had problems with my asthma that has caused me to have trouble breathing. But the panicker in me also wonders since the breathing is difficult, if I might not be having a heart problem instead. Today I've been so panicky/shaky that I've got some discomfort in my left arm/shoulder. It's not a pain but feels like it's heavy. My chest is not hurting and I have no other symptoms of a heart attack. I experience this from time to time and it goes away when I calm down. Do you think I should go back and see that cardiologist in the city, or is this simply anxiety that is causing my symptoms? My family tells me I'm just having anxiety attacks, but the symptoms of anxiety attacks often mimic a heart attack, so I'm not sure what to think.

Basically, what I want to know is that should I trust that 2 1/2 year old diagnosis? Is it possible that since then I could have developed problems?

[BionicBabe]

Why not, make an appointment with a cardiologist for a second echocardiogram? That might put your mind at rest.

[pws36]

let me start by saying that if you feel you need another opinion, the get one! and Another, and another, and another. Until your satisfied.  It's your heart, your life, and your health.  

I myself have had a hard time believing that the doc's were right.  I have had PVC's for 5 years.  the PVC's controled me, and i stopped living the active life that i was living in the past.  Stress and Anxiety can cause a number of physical symptoms, and the more we believe that something is wrong or that we have a condition, our minds can create the symptoms of that condition.  

I recently have learned to live with the fact that these things are going to happen.  A lot of people have PVC's like i do, and some of them never know it.  If the doc says that whatever you have is benign then try to relax a little.  I know that it's hard the except it, but if your heart is healthy and you have a wierd beat, then maybe that beat is normal for you.  What if you have had them all of your life, but never noticed it until recently.  

I hope you are able to find the answers that you are looking for.  You also may want to try an SSRI or another form of anti anxiety drug.  They really can help.  

[momtofourboys]

I totally agree with the others. don't stop if you are not comfortable with what the doctors are saying. for my ownself am not in that situation, however my 4 year old is and I have been pluggin away at this for now 4 years. they aren't listening I have had to show proof and do a lot of fighting to get st least a step in the right direction for him. we just had a step back but now they are listening to me.  
I would ask for a repeat echo.
Good luck and I hope you can get some aswers SOON
michelle

[luv2read]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I appreciate it.