I've had 5 EKG's, heart enzyme bloods done twice, and a stress test--I am 23 y/o and have recently lost my father to a heart attack, is the aforementioned enough to rule out heart problems?

I'm extremely anxious about having a heart attack and am quite scared of being alone. I get pains in my arms (both but usually my left arm) and slight chest pains (outer chest near ribs). I do get short of breath sometimes but usually only when I dwell on problems.

All the doctors have told me I have anxiety problems, however, I just want to be sure that a stress test is rather definitive when it comes to a heart problem. I know that there are more tests that COULD be done, however, in Canada it's not so easy to get a heart test in my age group. I had to PUSH HARD for the stress test. Either way it came out amazing.

I am more worried about my arm pains. I must say that I have been sleeping on my sides now because sleeping on my back makes me feel reflux-y. Is arm pain a possible symptom of anxiety from tense muscles?

Thanks in advance.

I'm so sorry to hear you lost your father.
I have a feeling most of your stress is coming from that.
It's not uncommon to start thinking of your own mortality, after losing a loved one.
Since you were diagnosed with anxiety, that's probably what you're experiencing.
May I ask...do you have a work-out regimen of any kind?
That might be beneficial for you. Even walking, socializing....taking your mind off yourself, is good.
Maybe some weight-bearing exercises would be good, too, to possibly strengthen your upper body.
If all else fails, maybe you should ask your doctor what to do about your anxiety.
There's lots of medications you could try, if necessary.
You mentioned "being alone." That sounds like anxiety, also.
I hope you have some family members that you can talk to....and/or friends.
It's important, when grieving, not to hold it in.
The best of luck to you.

Well I have been doing martial arts and going to the gym almost daily until a month ago (when my father died). However, I do not want to take meds, I just need some reassurance in the sense that I need to know my symptoms are anxiety symptoms. From what I understand, left arm pain is not so much a symptom of anxiety. Could it be that because I am looking for said symptom I am creating it?

Also, I get pangs in my middle chest once or twice a day for a few seconds--but like I said I did 5 EKG's and a stress test as well as heart enzymes--should I be reassured and just fight the mental battle now?

Yes, i think you are creating the symptoms. But i'm surprised you're EKG came out so good, if you have anxiety. When i went to the hospital when i thought i had a brain tumor, my EKG came out horrible LOL. I had to tell the doctor like 10 times it was due to anxiety, but he still said it was really high. So maybe you don't have anxiety, and just the thoughts about your father are making you think about symptoms of a heart ailment.

Sorry about you're father also. It's good that you are taking some precautions though since stuff like that can run in the family.

It does run in the family (his side at least) but every doctor says I'm too young to show any symptoms since my problem was not congenital (from birth).

Is a stress test a valid measure? Also, you said I'm creating these symptoms--is that possible for real?

One more question--when muscles are pounded day in and day out for 2 years straight (with intense weights) could your muscles still be sore and recovering a month later?

I would also like to mention that the cardiologist mentioned that my resting heart rate was ideal--55-65 BPM. I rarely get an increased heart rate when panicking because most of my panic stems from physical pain in my chest and left arm.

I been to doctor numerous times with symptoms that always seemed to "vanish" the next day after finding out everything was fine. Actually just yesterday!

I lift weights too, and since i normally have a high heart rate from axniety, it's even higher when i lift! so of course came all the " my heart is going to get enlarged from lifting weights and having it pump this fast" Actually i'm still worried about that one! but i haven't done a "stress" test or have any other tests done besides that EKG at the hospital. So i'm still worried about that one. I just don't know how i could ever get a "right" reading since my heart races so much, especially when at the doctors!

A month of sore muscles shouldn't happen though , if you are overdoing it then that could be why, or if you are straining and pulling muscles. Just make sure you are getting enough Protein and take your vitamins after hitting the weights hard. If you aren't already start taking some omega-3 supplements! They are for cardiovascular health, it's GREAT for your heart and brain.

At the doctors yesterday my BP was 120 something over 80 something (forget what exactly) I told the nurse it would be high and why. She said the second number was bad. But when i always take my BP at home when i'm relaxing it's fine.

Well at one point I hit the weights a bit too hard and I believe I did some damage (especially to my chest, arms and shoulders--the "nicest" parts). There is this one spot in my middle chest that feels like a knife wound when I press it (it's the size of a penny or dime but DAMN it hurts).

I too noticed that my symptoms disappear for the time I'm at the doctors and for a few hours after. They come back when I'm alone or a few days removed from the doctors office.

Don't forget there are muscles around the heart and the chest pain you are feeling could just be soreness from working out. That middle of the chest especially when doing any type of bench-press, or flyes. Plus if you are always tense after a workout, you could without knowing it always think of those muscles in the chest area, and subconsciously tensing them, which is making you feel sore and pain for so long.

Yeah, I assumed that because I am worried about heart issues I am subconsciously tensing my own muscles. Don't know if that is possible?

Martial Arts are great. Good for you!
Do you plan on going back into it? I hope so.
The "mental" part of Martial Arts would be beneficial for you, too, I'm sure.

I would think, after all the tests you've had, that your heart "is" good.
You're young---you've got that going for you---
About the arm thing.... I would imagine just about any symptom can be psychosomatic.
Our minds are powerful tools & can create all kinds of phantom problems for ourselves.
No one can diagnose your arm problem on the internet, so maybe a follow-up with your doctor will help calm you.
I have a sneaky suspicion, you're just fine.
Have you tried any med at all.....like a baby aspirin?

They gave me a baby aspirin when I went for my stress test.

No meds other than that--non, whatsoever.

I am somewhat scared to get back to hardcore physical activity in case I drop because of it. I know it sounds crazy but my father died after shoveling snow and it just kind of stuck with me.

Granted, he smoked for like 20 years (I don't), he loved steak and fries (I don't, I'm a chicken breast and rice/baked potato man myself) and he stopped taking his Lipitor a couple of months ago.

I know it is illogical for me to be acting like this but I feel like I can't help it. I think I might go talk to the school counsellor at my university.

As for the martial arts--yes I do want to go back. However, I do a very serious, very secret art (ninjutsu) and mental weakness is not taken lightly. In a way I'm ashamed to go back.

Just from your last two posts thought i can tell this is really hitting you hard. The smoking thing, and the eating, and worrying about being mentally strong enough to continue training.

I think thats good for you to hold off on the ninjistsu until you feel better, mentally and physically. I would even cut off the serious weight lifting and just stick with some cardio for the time being to get those endorphins back up. Just my opinion though! and whatever you feel like doing then do it, but don't let your thoughts take you away from things you love/loved doing.

It is hitting me hard and no one around me understands just how hard...

My girlfriend is frustrated with my behavior, my mom is annoyed (she seems fine), my friends pretend it's not real and it forces me to rationalize it alone which is not a good idea right now.

Every single little ache or pain I get I feel as though I'm dying and the one thing that could make me feel like I'm ok is having a clean bill of health. Also, it seems like most of my symptoms are heart related--left arm pain, chest pain, back pain, nausea and feeling as though I must catch my breath.

It sucks but I must go on.

Yea, well the people in your life who don't know anything about it will just always think it's nothing. I would get that all the time, cause nobody would understand. They would just think i was making it up, or it was all in my head when i wanted to go to the hospital or make another doctors visit. LOL i had a better chance of dying in a car wreck due to all the doctor visits i had in the past man.

Like you said though, everybody is giving you flack about it? They just don't know though, and never will unless they had the same symptoms. It's always a joke to everyone else, like when i told my friend when i had anxiety, he told me "to read a book" and not in the sense to read a book about anxiety, he meant it as read a book and just forget about it, like it's that easy!

That's what I told my girlfriend and mother--you can never understand unless you have anxiety. However, at the same time I do not wish anxiety on anyone.

It's a catch-22 because the more you're anxious the more you alienate those around you but at the same time you feel like you need them to feel even a little bit better. Same applies to doctors--they're nice at first (have been so far) but if I keep showing up I'm sure they'll just get annoyed.

Truthfully, i'm so over the meds and trying any more meds(about 5 different ones){REMOVED} but NOTHING worked for me. I tried meds first and none of them did anything. I was smart about it though, when i was taking xanax and it wasn't working, i tried some more, a higher dose, but stopped before i would get to the point where i would feel good, but be in a dream world, then would have to worry about the withdrawal symptoms. Man, everyone i know who takes xanax for anxiety takes them like candy, and i feel bad for the time when they stop or get cut off from them. Whenever i was on any SSRI meds for anxiety) all of my friends said i acted "weird" and i even felt like i was in a zombie state. The only thing that helps me now and has been helping me ( and i'm not condoning it) is alcohol. That has been the BEST anti ANYTHING drug for me. I'm not an alcoholic by any means , but if i go out with friends thats what i always do, i'm lucky though cause thats all my friends do anyway LOL. But i can't do this crap forever, and i have to make an appointment with a REAL doctor who knows about this stuff, such as a psychotherapist and see if i can get back on track naturally... if not then i'm going to have to take whatever they think i need i guess.

Talking to the School Counselor sounds good. Sometimes, it only takes one or two sessions to sort things out.
You sound very smart. I hope you can resolve this.
Again, I'm so sorry you've lost your father.
From what you've posted, I can't help, but think that's the root of most of your problems.

It's the root of ALL my problems and I know it.

As for the alcohol thing--you're right, it does help me while I'm drunk/tipsy. I don't drink often but the times I do I have felt better.

Anxiety and depression cause all kinds of bad feelings. If you haven't experienced a panic attack or anxiety it is scary. You isolate yourself, feel like you are going to die, and feel completely dysfunctional, but there is hope. It isn't "mind over matter" it is a real biological probelm that may require medication. Two things to remember EXERCISE and PROPER SLEEP are key to getting through these difficult times. Unfortunatley proper sleep can be hard to come by for someone feeling anxious, stressed, or constantly worried. Sleep aids may become necessary to help relax your body and mind. I have been through three major axiety/panic/depression episodes in my life and came out of them after a couple months. Try not to worry and remember there is hope and people out there in the world who can help you through this.:)

Thanks, I have been much better. I have decided to go to a private cardiology clinic (easier said than done in Canada) and I will have an echocardiogram because I still get chest pains when working out.

I am over the food thing and I have been sleeping rather well lately. My chest pain still gets to me once in a while but I hope to overcome it after going to see the cardiologist on Friday.

I've already had a chest x-ray, a stress test, many EKG's and troponin levels done--all were fine. I simply want an echo to confirm everything and I want a cardiologist to give me his/her undivided attention without ignoring my concerns because of my age.

Good to hear ninja! now watch those "heart pains" vanish after finding out everything is fine with your heart :)

I've noticed the vanishing thing too--I thought I had appendicitis, after getting tested negative *POOF* gone.

Thought I had stomach/gallbladder problems--same thing.

I was told, however, that I may have costochondritis from the martial arts and excessive workouts so that MAY be the root of my pain. I hope to ask the cardiologist Friday.

yea, my heart has been bugging me too lately LOL i think ever since i saw your first post in this topic is when it started! also my blood pressure has been driving me up the wall, i actually just posted on the high/low blood pressure board asking about it, so we shall see! Only thing i'm really worried about is i want to go lift weights right now, but now i'm worrying about my rapid heartrate and can't decide if i should. I know if i end up going to the doctor it will be the same cycle. " you don't have high BP, your too young for BP med, just relax and stop drinking coffee,m you don't need to see a cardiologist" sometimes i really think the doctors think i'm just nuts lol. But i do know for a fact my EKG (or was it ECG?) was real high when i was in the hospital ER, but i mean social anxiety in the emergency room with a guy next to me falling out of his bed dying would put anyones levels WAY up there i would think!!

Then i'd end up coming home from the doctor, feel fine for a few days, get a bad stomach ache, check online then my new disease would be pancreatic cancer or something! such a vicious cycle.

Been there, done that.

It sucks. My only real concern anymore is my chest pains when I work out. Sharp stabbing pains on the side and in the middle of my chest when doing cardio--so weird.

I'm in the middle of my workout right now and took a breather to check my BP and get water after some heavy squats. Pulse is at 110! BP wasn't as high as i thought it would be! weird though the diastolic is lower than when i was taking it and not doing anything the other day? guess BP from anxiety actually jacks thing sup higher than actual increase from moving around /exercising! Has to be that way!

Ninja your anxiety about your heart is resulting from losing your father to a heart attack. My father had heart problems too and I've been worrying about my heart for the last 20 years, every little pain above the knee is a heart related pain! Seriously. It catches hold of you, that anxiety. Costochondritis was what I was going to suggest about your pains you feel when you press down on your chest. You're too young for a heart attack when you're so fit - be different if you were hundreds of pounds overweight. But since you have a family history like me it might be a good idea to look into other ways (as well as keeping fit, eating right and not smoking) to prevent you getting the same problems as your dad. Read up on niacin therapy which is taking 3 or more grams of niacin or nicotinamide (one of the B vitamins) a day and eating oat brain to prevent heart attacks through raised cholesterol. Omega 3 is also good.

I'm really sorry about your dad. He must have been young, because you're young. You're still grieving and the anxiety is part of that. Your girlfriend and mother won't understand if they don't have anxiety. People's anxiety over things drive non-anxious people absolutely crazy. I've driven my sister and my parents and my husband crazy for the last 20 years. A friend of ours had a heart attack and afterwards he kept getting pains and thinking they were heart pains and drove his wife mad. She couldn't understand it at all. Think it was a bit of a PTSD thing for him, as it may well be for you. Perhaps you could see a counsellor or a psychologist who might be able to do some cognitive behaviour therapy with you. I also had a friend whose dad died of cancer and afterwards she was terrified she would die of cancer too. It's normal, but horrible.

Thank you Trixibel, your post was actually very satisfying to read. I agree with you but I still want to get a full heart workup done by the cardiologist to truly put my mind at rest. Considering how I felt when I started this thread I have come a long way.

I was anxious about every little thing that happened, I am now able to do almost everything I was scared of doing. The working out and martial arts are on hold because of my suspected costochondritis. My ribs hurt so much when I touch them.

Either way, thank you.