Strong heart beats & Slight pressure on my chest - Heart Disorders Message Board

NicoleD · 05-28-2005, 06:35 AM

Hi everyone,

I'm a 25 yr old female - About 2 weeks ago (while I was on vacation), I began experiencing presure on my chest, specifically around my throat area. I could feel my heart beating throughout my whole body as well as right at the base of my throat in between my clavical bones.

When I would take my pulse, it was fine. But I began to worry and worked myself up into quite a panic attack and drove myself to the ER.

There they did a full blod workup, an EKG, chest X-Ray and a CT scan of my heart and lungs. Everything came back normal and the doctor said I was completely healthy but he perscribed XANAX for the anxiety.

I haven't taken the xanax b/c i've heard you could get addicted to it. Instead, i've just tried to relax. Hasn't really worked. lol Anyway, i'm still experiencing the same thing.

I'm very aware of my heartbeat sometimes and still feel the slight pressure at the base of my neck area. It's hard to describe. I did go to an ENT before this all happened and he had felt my neck and said that my thyroid seemed a little enlarged and is going to run some tests this coming up Tuesday.

Could this weird heart thing possibly be caused by my thyroid? or is it complete anxiety?

started04 · 05-28-2005, 09:08 AM

Hi Nicole,
An over production of the thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) can and will cause the symtoms you describe. Among many symptoms, nervousness associated with the disorder can contribute to your anxiety.

In severe cases one can have SOB and chest pain; usually the symptoms are gradual from onset and one is not aware until symptoms are severe. Generally speaking the disorder's symptoms closely mimmic a heart problem.

NicoleD · 05-28-2005, 09:13 AM

Thank you for the reply! I'm sorry, but what does SOB mean?

started04 · 05-29-2005, 09:54 AM

Sorry for being vague. Shortness of breath (sob).

emily jj · 06-01-2005, 08:12 AM

Hi there:
I'm in a similar boat. Having heart palpitations and chest fluttering and think it might be related to endo issues. The key is to find a GOOD endo. Alot of them will tell you the heart is not related but basically everything is related to your thyroid. See if you can find a thyroid specialist who specializes in young women. There are other SSRIs you can take for anxiety that are not addictive. I don't know all that much but anxiety does always make things alot worse. your test results are very reassuring.

Good luck
Emily