ive had the same pain you describe but it wasnt a "cramping feeling"it was more like a shock like, when someone jumps out and scares the bejeusus out of you and you get that shocking feeling in your chest,but i did smoke and drink a lot of caffine and they both set that off in the worst way,heart palps,sweaty,just plain scared cuz u have no idea whats up.and my pain lasted about 2-3 weeks b4 i had a full blown panic attack which to me, felt like a heart attack.since you dont smoke and no family history it might be anxiety.but im no doc.and all my tests (xrays,ekg,thyroid)were fine.shortness of breath was the worst for me.and as soon as i accepted it was anxiety and believed my docs werent stupid the symptoms faded a lot.what gave me the hint was that i was always fine after i left the ER,why? peace of mind.and thats what you need and maybe some meds.but dont spend your nights searching the web looking for symptoms as youll just scare yourself into a frenzy.THE MIND IS SMARTER THAN YOU.no matter what you may think.but get checked out cuz you never know
id like someone on here who has had A REAL heartattack AND a anxiety attack b4, and tell me the main difference,although, everyone is different id still like some opinions
I have the same problem. Almost constant chest pressure, chest pain, heart racing, and a fluttering feeling in my chest. If I try to feel my pulse I can sometimes feel my heart skip a beat. I have worn a 24 hour holtor monitor, an event monitor, had 5 ekg's, echo, heart enzyme test, 3 chest x-rays, and a chest ct scan. The doctor says there is nothing wrong with my heart. I have seen 3 different doctors, 2 have told me I have an anxiety disorder, my primary doctor said she doesn't know what is wrong with me. I am going to a 4th doctor who specializes in treating patients with anxiety if she tells me this is all anxiety then my next step is to see a shrink. I have been miserable for 5 months.
go to the heart rhthym forum or heart disease and read about heart attacks. They are supposed the worst possible crushing chest pain you could imagine....I often wonder if I am having a heart attack too....and I am only 27. People have had heart attacks at young ages...but it is RARE..
i have been having so many palpatations lately.... even while excersising. i am told that it is okay as long as there is no pain or shortness of breath. i don't get anything else, just palpatations. BUT, it is scaring me of course. Does this sound normal? I have had anxiety and panic attacks for over 7 years now and you would think i would be used to this by now but i can't seem to ever be "okay" with any of my symptoms...
"Could it be simply anxiety?" Of course it can. But it can also be lots of other things.
My opinion is to ALWAYS take any discomfort in the heart area very seriously. Even though you are rather young, I would get this checked out as soon as you can. An x-ray and ECG a year ago may have little impact on what you are feeling now. Ask you GP for a referral to a cadiologist and go from there. When in doubt with undiagnosed chest pain, a trip to the ER to be told it is nothing is lot better than no trip with fatal consequences. Get checked out so you can put your mind at ease.
I just wanted to say that after i posted my question, i made an appointment with my family doc... he listened to my symptoms and after and EKG and exam he really thinks it is anxiety. he upped my does of zoloft... but just to be sure he had me wear a Holter monitor for 24hours. luckily i had 2 palpitations while it was on so at least they can really see what is going on... i even excercised with it on. I am still waiting on the results though.... i hate waiting!!! thanks for the advice...
Well i am with you all i started experiencing discomfort in my chest not to sure what it is i have had blood work done,ekg ran, chest x ray ran on me and everything came back fine.I am thinking it might be my muscles but i am not sure my chest hurts in the middles of my chest and underneath my rib cage..And it hurts sometimes in between my should blades...
"go to the heart rhthym forum or heart disease and read about heart attacks. They are supposed the worst possible crushing chest pain you could imagine"
During my worst episode, I would describe the pain as the worst possible crushing chest pain I could imagine. Pain was worse than any bone break, worse than my complete shoulder separation, and worse than anything I have ever experienced. My heart rate spiked over 200 for a few hours, I was experiencing minor arryhthmias, my potassium wad low, and I was having a panic attack on top of it. At the time, I was sure I was dying, and very surprised when the echo, EKG, and cardiac enzymes showed there was nothing structually wrong with my heart. Quite honestly, it was the scariest experience in my life (I am 22). I couldn't imagine anything being worse.... Even a heart attack.
Hehe, I forgot my own age for a second. I am 23.