heart issue or anxiety?

[kpreo]

I am a 24-year-old female, do not smoke, try to eat healthy, but do not get enough exercise. I tend to stress myself out unnecessarily as well. However, since last wednesday (the 18th of March) I have been experiencing a burning sensation in my left chest area, usually either right over my breast of under my armpit. Sometimes I feel an ache in my back. I do have a slight heart murmur and heart flutters sometimes, but I had an echocardiogram done about 3 years ago which came back normal. Is this current feeling something I should be concerned about, so much to go to the ER? I did make an appointment with my doctor for next Tuesday. The burning seems to come and go, and it is much less when I am not focused on it or worried about it.

[kpreo]

Here is an update from this evening. I was just sitting at my computer when I got two or three sharp, stabbing pains in the left side of my chest. they lasted for about 3-4 seconds each. No other symptoms were present, but this was really scary. Now what do I do?

[kpreo]

Yeah, I actually did call a local nurse service last night for some advice, and I was told to take an antacid. I think it did help. Today I can say that I am getting a cold, so maybe the last five days of "aching" has been my body getting sick. I will bring this up at my appointment, and thank you for your reassurance.

[Cleveland Clinic]

Given your age and atypical symptoms it is very unlikely that this represents an unstable coo nary syndrome. I think it is acceptable to wait until next tuesday to see your doctor, get and EKG and maybe some lab work.

[MRH3000]

you sound just like me. i'm 27, female, nonsmoker, healthy habits except for the stress... i *definitely* stress myself out unnecessarily. and i've had the burning/dull ache in that exact same spot for a while now. it comes and goes according to my average stress level, and i'm certain that's what it is -- stress -- but i have yet to find an answer to how the two are connected. so, no matter how much my rational side know this is just anxiety, part of me still thinks, what if?

i had a physical last year for the first time in years, and my doctor said i was in perfect health. my cholesterol levels are superhuman, my blood pressure is perfect, my heart & lungs sound strong, etc., etc. so, i'm sure in my case it's just the anxiety -- however, as you can see, i still worry about cardiac stuff (or else i wouldn't have found my way here). i just googled "young healthy paranoid heart attack" with the hopes of finding something authoritative that would ease my worrying.

i'm working on ways to reduce my stress & anxiety, and i suggest you do the same thing too. talk to your doctor about all this when you go on tuesday and see what s/he has to say about it.