Hi new to this forum, not new to anxiety have a ques.

[Missy31]

Hi everyone, I have suffered from anxiety and panic attacks for years, but the thing that I guess bothers me most and I don't know if its me but when I have any kind of anxiety it only effects my chest, like sometimes its so bad that I freak myself out into thinking I am having some heat attack, or that I have some kind of heart disease that hasn't been discovered, the thing is I have had many, many test done and everything is perfectly normal with my heart. So I just wonder is it all in my head, or is this true physical symptoms from the anxiety? Anyone who can help I would so greatly appreciate it!! Thanks

[scaredjo]

hiya you say you have had tests done, what did they do? if a doc has said your heart is fine you have to believe them i too suffer from health anxiety regarding my heart and its HORRIBLE

[Charlotterose]

I have the same promblems all the time.. so bad infact that i'm affraid of the doctor.. I won't go, not for my heart anyways.. you'll be fine think about it this way, you have had this problem for a long time, you havn't died yet.. thats how i think about it.. if it was something serious we all would of been dead a thousand time over again!! good luck and hang in there, Like nasal_problems said once you realize it's anxiety you'll feel better.. YOUR NOT DYING!! alot easier said than to believe I know!!

[Nasal_Problems]

Hi Missy,

Yes. One of the most typical symptoms of anxiety is thinking that one is having a heart attack. The anxiety is a 'fight or flight response'. Imagine that you were a rabbit and you saw a coyote 20 feet away. Your heart would beat more rapidly and you may get sweaty in anticipation from being attacked.

This is exactly what is happening to you. You percieve something as a "threat" and you are getting worked up by your fight or flight response and you are noticing the exceleration in your heart beat and its' effect on your chest. It's completely normal.  

It's aggravating because people with anxiety/panic tend to be highly sensative. So, any pounding in the chest (or other symptoms) are exagerated.

The key is to realize its anxiety and truly believe it. That will calm your perception of this threat. This involves knowing you WILL NOT DIE. No one ever has. Once you can achieve that, you are on the road to recovery.