Can't tell if I am having heart attack or really bad panic attacks?

[Bwwolfe]

I have been having pain in my left arm, back, jaw. You name a heart attack symptom and I have it. It has been a week since all this started and it is getting worse by the day. Sometimes I can convince myself it is anxiety then other times I just start to freak out. My grandma just died in February of a heart attack and I have the same symptoms she did. It is driving me crazy I just can't stop worrying about it. I dont want to go to the ER and feel stupid. After having these pains for over a week I wouldnt be here. Just wondering if anyone else ever felt this way?

[Nomedsanymore]

I know this is old but I went to a doctor at 23 or so. So sure it was a heart attack. My chest would hurt so bad I didn't know what to do. The first thought is 911. I insisted he do a xray of my chest, I was sure it was chest related,well it was related to the gut, still is scary. If I could only be your age, I would look at statistics and your lifestyle.and see. It's rare for you age but it does happen, usually in extreme cases or family history. So calm your self and keep the chewables,

[Nomedsanymore]

After seeing your age...23. Your very low risk. I was your age once and would worry to....never had heart attack. If they run in your family, then I'd be cautious or you suffer high cholesterol. My guess your ok

[Nomedsanymore]

Yes, I even woke up at 37 with chest pain at 4am. Had ekg....they found nothing. You do know to chew a full 325 aspirin or 5 chewables? I've recently learned of this place called lifeline screening and I'm trying to arrange an appt. to go. Look it up,it might help you. If you get proper test you will feel more encouraged. Never ignore sysmptoms...go to e.r or aspirin. I would but I'm guessing your at the "your to young to have heart attack" well, ignore that if you feel strange but gas can cause that. Good luck!

[Nomedsanymore]

By the way sorry about your grandmother! May she be resting with peace

[Roosworld]

I don't know if you are male or female, but females tend to have other symptoms vs. men.  The tight or weighted feeling on or in the chest area is true, but in females it has been found that jaw pain, arm or shoulder and back pain are also symptoms.  Due to your recent loss, it is normal to worry, but I always go with it is better to be safe than sorry.  If you have Immediate or Walk-In clinics that would be easier and less expensive but if you don't, trust me that the ER doctors will not think badly of you and would much rather have you walk in to make sure all is good than to have you not come in with the type of symptoms you are having.  At the very least, it will put your mind and body at ease to know what is and isn't happening with your body.

[AnxiousNoMore]

When I went to er with those symptoms after a week, the doctor told me I would have been dead if it was heart and lasted that long. My ECG was fine.
A heart attack feels like a heavy weight pressed against your chest so you don't have that. If you have never had an eCG in your life it is your call though whether to get one.