(I also posted in the Anxiety forum, because I am prone to panic, but I thought maybe someone in this forum can help me out). How long can a heart attack last? I've been in pain now for about 15 hours; upper back shooting pains, sternum pain, left shoulder and down arm pain, pain in my chest when I take a breath. I've had panic attacks and acid reflux before, and I AM SURE that these pains now are worse than ever before. I have been burping quite a bit and I thought the chest pains may be from the gas inside, but what about the pains in my back and down my left arm, and in my wrist? How can that be from GERD? I woke up twice last night and almost went to the hospital, but I talked myself out of it for fear that the ER will look at me like a hypochondriac. I am 39yo female, non-smoker, drink daily, normal BP and cholesterol, not a big family history of heart problems. In the past all my EKGs have been normal. How quickly can heart problems manifest themselves if in the past there has been no signs of any? Is heart disease something that I might be developing. Should I ignore all of these signs, which are mirroring that of a heart attack, or should I get myself to the ER right now? I have read that heart attack symptoms in females include indigestion (I have it) and I am really scared. And look at John Ritter-- didn't he go to the doctors with chest pain and they brushed it off, then he died of a tear in his heart or something. Is this what's happening to me?

if you are in so much pain, don't be afraid to go to the ER, that's all i can say, i do not know much about heart attacks, but it soundsl ike you are in a lot of pain, and that sounds serious.

Go to the ER. Don't worry about a false alarm. I hope that you are better soon :)