Are my chest pains related to my Anxiety?

Question

I'm 18 and have Social Anxiety and a fear of dying. I'm going to see the Phyciatrist at the end of August, but my Anxiety is getting worse, to the point i cannot cope.

I've been getting these on and off chest pains for the last month along with other things like, tension headaches, pains in my fingers, body trembles, fast heartbeat, hot flushes, sore muscles etcc.

The chest pain is mainly in my lower lower chest (bottom half of my breast) that can radiate up on my left upper side, up to my neck/shoulder and down my left arm, i sometimes get the same in my right lower chest.

It all comes when i'm worrying feeling anxious, which is most of the time now, it goes if i'm thinking about something else or distracted from it like if i'm busy.

Should i go back and see my doctor and say my Anxiety is getting worse?

Would she tell me to get an EKG just to be sure?

I'm terrified of dying from Sudden Death Syndrome and a heart attack.

Someone help?

Answer 1

Eat less animal fat like red meat, cheese & eggs.

Answer 2

It seems to be from your anxiety.  People get chest pains from Anxiety and also if you think about it will get worse.  You seem really obsessive.  I know how you feel and no you are not going to die from Sudden Death Syndrome it is just anxiety.  You should definitely consider taking some anxiety medication it sucks living with it i know how you feel.

Answer 3

I had overwhelming anxiety including heart palpitations and chest pain. It turned out to be my use of Splenda. Yup Splenda.



I like to say sucralose, not Splenda, because that is what Splenda is. And it is in a lot of stuff. The package doesn't have to say Splenda to have sucralose in it. You have to read labels. So, you might still be using it and don't even know it!



Sucralose is poison. It ruined five years of my life. I had a laundry list of medical problems while taking it, including overwhelming anxiety, depression, mood swings, insomnia and more.

Go ahead, google: anxiety splenda or anxiety sucralose or insomnia splenda or insomnia sucralose



The slogan, "Made from sugar..." is very misleading. Splenda might be made from sugar, but it is far from sugar. The resulting chemical is an organochloride (chlorocarbon). Organochlorides are typically poisons.



carbon monoxide - made from oxygen so its like a breath of fresh air

Answer 4

Anxiety can have physical affects on you, too. If you think your anxiety is getting worse, go back to the doctor. They might give you a EKG but it's more than likely it's just anxiety, not heart problems.  

Answer 5

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Answer 6

Try and keep a diary of when the chest pains strike. I had a similar thing a few years ago when I had just started a new job (which I loved) but I started getting chest pains and heart palpitations.

It turned out that the chest pains would always happen just before an important meeting or before an important day at work.

As soon as I realised that then they went away altogether so I think they were made worse by worrying about what was causing them!

I don't think anyone can fully appreciate how scary it is to have chest pains and heart palpitations unless they've had them. I used to be scared to walk too quickly in case I gave myself a heart attack. It's really frightening when you think there might be something wrong with your heart!

But chest pains and palpitations are common side-effects of stress and you do mention that they come on when you're feeling anxious so it sounds like it could be stress related.

I'd definately see your doctor though. If all she does is reassure you that your heart is fine and help you explore more ways to reduce your anxiety then it's still worth a visit!

take care and good luck

x*x

Answer 7

It certainly seems to be related to anxiety states. Anxiety is addressed in section 6, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris (view page N first) and you would be well advised to employ one of the relaxation methods, and/or yoga and/or t'ai chi (1st 3 pages of section 2 refer).

Biofeedback, EFT, EMDR, and herbal remedies are among other options shown. I would expect a doctor to prescribe medication, which only addresses the symptoms, but you can ask for a referral for therapy, and the choice of treatment is yours.

Examine your belief system, and come to grips with the fact that all of us must pass on, or, for a start, there would be no room for new life. A fear faced is a fear reduced. The fact that the pain doesn't seem to occur when you are busy indicates that it is the psychsomatic variety, (which is nonethless, very real) and I would not expect much from an EKG.

Answer 8

I think you should go see your doctor, about stress management, the pains you decribes sounds very much like a heart attack (I have had two) However at just 18 and female, I would bet that it is not a heart problem/attack a EGC would tell for sure but I don't think it is neccerary for you to have one, use a heat pack on the back of your neck and get yourself one of those electric massage things to help you relax and stay clam. SIDS will kill a 18 month baby, but because you are 18 years old you can relax about that - Good Luck,