has anyone had symptoms like these? - Heart Disorders Message Board

p3yro · 08-05-2006, 11:00 AM

ive got this problem that keeps coming back. ive been to the hospital quite a few times but test results (ECG's) keep coming back saying im totaly fine:

I sometimes get woken up buy my heart racing for no reason, i feel a bit queezy, i sometimes have a pain in my upper back and sort of a pain in my chest. Sometimes a tingling in my hands,I can also feel my heart beating in my chest, could i be having a sort of mild heart attack? is there such a thing or is it all or nothing?

Also sometimes after eating i get palpertations and what feels like the odd skipped heart beat. Ive been to my doctor and he just says im fine. Now obviously im not fine as im scared that i have some sort of heart problem! im only 32

I even bought a heart rate moniter because im that worried about it.

I also thought it is some sort of gastric problem, but it doesnt seam to be linked to anything, like change in diet

This problem is driving me crazy with worry as just when i think it has gone away it comes back again.

I know that my resting BPM is 70 which is techincaly fine but being woken up suddenly with a BPM of 100+ is really scary. Can anyone point me in the right direction as to what it might be as my doctor isnt being much help buy saying im fine.

seaecho · 08-05-2006, 11:30 AM

I don't mean to minimize your symptoms for one minute, but a BPM of 100 or a bit more is really nothing. Sounds as if you are having panic attacks. I've had them for many years, and my BPM sometimes go up to 140 or more when I'm at my worst. It always calms back down again. It doesn't stay that way forever. Try to remind yourself of that when its hitting you hard. I also get the chest pain now and then (sometimes it stays for days or weeks) and the tingling too. Both are a very common symptom of anxiety and panic attacks. Believe me, you can get yourself so worked up that you make yourself sick when you have bad anxiety. Been there. I also have MVP, and according to my doctor, one in three people who have it also have panic attacks. But you don't have to have MVP to have panic attacks. They are much more common than most people realize. Its just that most people are embarrassed to admit they have them. Sounds as if a trip to the doctor is in order to discuss this. You need to get a handle on it before you hit rock bottom, like I did. I was living a nightmare. I now take Xanax 1-2 times a day, and its the only drug I've tried so far that helps. Its been a lifesaver for me, and I can function again (most of the time) almost like a "normal" person.

p3yro · 08-05-2006, 11:35 AM

thanks for taking the time to reply.

U say panic attacks, i cant think of anything that im doing that would bring them on? can u have them while asleep?

also

What is Xanax? is it something you get at the drug store or the doctor?

seaecho · 08-06-2006, 11:15 AM

Some people are just more likely to have panic attacks. It often runs in families. You are probably just naturally nervous and anxious, and that is your basic temperament. Yes, I do have panic attacks while asleep (its been happening for eleven years). I've had them so bad in the middle of the night that I've awakened with my heart pounding LOUDLY in my ears, shaking so bad that the whole bed was quivering and scared out of my mind. I was sure I was dying. You would need to visit a doctor in order to get Xanax. Its a prescription drug. That is why I told you that you need to get an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible. You need to be evaluated to be sure there is no health problem going on, and then the doctor can discuss medication with you.

Randi

Timber · 08-06-2006, 06:01 PM

I've been having these same nighttime panic attack things for over 10 years. My symptoms are like yours. They are not heart attacks. They're harmless panic attacks of some kind. Unfortunately, I haven't found a way to get rid of them.

Just about 100% of my attacks occur within 2 hours of falling asleep. Is this the same for you?

I can reduce their frequency by making sure I don't get too hot while I'm sleeping (light clothing, cool room, light covers) and by not eating before bed.