shortness of breath

[vtguy139]

Hello

   Im a 23 year old male, 235 lbs 6'0 overweight and kind of out of shape. I have been having a problem when i lay down it feels like my heart is thumping slow and hard and i also feel like i have trouble breathing.I also have anxiety so maybe im just extra aware of it. My resting pulse in the morning is anywhere from low 60's to high 80's i also have pains often in my left arm and chest but i assume that is muscular. I have been to the ER and my regular Doc's a bunch of times since July of last year and they say that my heart is fine, i had an ekg, chest x-ray, and blood tests but they never mentioned anything about a stress test or an echo. I have also been out of work since June of this year due to the dizziness and feeling strange..also anxiety i think? i worked at the same job for 5 years and it was a very physically demanding job and i never had any problems, i could work all day at a level that most people couldnt. i get the feeling that i will never be able to do anything physically demanding agian. Any advice would be great thanks....btw i have no insurance so that makes it hard to visit the Dr.

[vtguy139]

Actually my dad died almost 2 years ago from a heart attack he was 47. I started to get the panic attacks almost a year after he passed away. I am def. more out of shape now, but it seems like my tolerance for work has dropped below what i like. I was on paxil for a while but when i got layed off the first time i slowly took myself off it. Its driving me up the wall because i cant do anything i used to do. And also its mostly lying down that makes my heart beat like that and its hard to breath, every once in a while i will also get like a strange heartbeat feeling in my lower neck below my adams apple and i feel really weird after that..

[LITTLEMOMMABEAR]

Is there any history in your family with heart problems? I have to say I think a lot of this may be from anxiety... You wouldn't believe the things anxiety can do to you both mentally and physically. Plus it also seems as though you have a lot of stress right now too with not being employed and worrying about your health. Sometimes when you are aware of a sign that could cause something - such as a heart attack, your mind will (as crazy as it sounds make you feel it- anxiety) Do you have trouble breathing all the time? Is that why you can't work? When did this all start? I really think you have anxiety- without a doubt, which is completely normal. Everyone has it, but a lot won't talk about it..I have been having health problems as well and I have anxiety and for 2 days straight -(after going off my anxiety med they recently put me on) I felt like  I couldn't breathe I was always out of breathe. So I took my med and instantly I could breathe. Are you on anxiety med? Even still I would definetly get a stress test and echo done. Perhaps you could apply for medical assistance. I'm sure you'll be fine!!! Better safe then sorry though I get it checked or a second opinion. Let us know how you make out! All my luck and prayers!  -Amanda