Heart problems in a 20 year old? - Open to All Other Health Topics Message Board

Miralage · 01-20-2009, 07:08 AM

Hi, I've been trawling around the net lately looking for an answer, and I've not found one. I'm 20, unfit, 5'9 and average weight. (not sure how many pounds, but 70KG) And for the last week or so I've been experiencing symptoms that fit with certain heart problems, such as a feeling as if my airways are partly closed, and I can't breath as fast as I should be able to. I had a heart palpitation, painless, but nontheless scary as hell. I couldn't breath at all for a few seconds, and it felt like my heart was trying to beat me to death from inside out...I've also been experiencing tiredness for years now, as well as general symptoms that could be associated with heart problems, such as bouts of nausea and random dizziness for no reason. And almost claustrophobia, as if the walls are closing in on me, though spreading water on myself and sitting in front of a fan usually helps against that...

The question I'm asking is...could all this be the result of heart problems, at my age? Or some other form of sickness? I don't really eat healthy at all, but I have been exercising to try and join the army...

In all honesty...I'm too scared to go see the Gp if my heart really is playing up...

tjlhb · 01-20-2009, 12:07 PM

See a doctor.

Especially if you have a family history of people getting heart disease at a young age.

If it really is heart disease (or even if it is something else), you'll want to find out early before you get permanent damage.

writeleft · 01-20-2009, 02:27 PM

I would certainly advise you to seek your doctors help on diagnosing your symptoms. There could be any number of reasons you are experiencing these things, and only a doctor can tell for sure. So many treatments are available these days, that could make you feel much better in the short term, as well as protect you in the long run. You are never too young to encounter health problems, and now that you are an adult, it is your job to care for yourself. Good luck!

Miralage · 01-21-2009, 06:41 AM

Oh, I should also note that I have a VERY regular heartbeat. As in, clockwork heartbeat. It doesn't beat like, 'thump-thump....thump-thump...' but rather, a beat every 3/4 of a second or so, very, very regularly. Like a clock ticking...Is that bad?

Fizzickle · 01-21-2009, 03:40 PM

Go see your GP.

This sounds a lot like panic attacks, but an EKG and checkup won't hurt.

The fact that your heart beats very regularly is a good sign, not a bad one. I had all sorts of premature ventricular contractions and other cardiac arrhythmias until my cardiologist convinced me that I needed to have an ICD installed. Now my heart beats like a metronome.

The best advice I know is to go see the doctor and recite your symptoms as you have done here. Put some of your worry off on him.

Bill