Can someone help reassure me i'm not having a heart attack?

Question

I've been to the ER 8 times in two months now for chest / left arm pain.. last time was last night, and every time we go, everything shows up normal. Blood tests, x-rays, EKG's, you name it. Can someone reassure this pain isn't heart related? They've diagnosed with me anxiety and i've been on Zoloft for two days now.

I'm 15 years old, I am 5'9 and weigh 125, I do not smoke, and I do not have a family history of heart problems. I have mitral valve prolapse, which is in good condition as of April. I do not do any drugs.

Answer 1

Why as of April?  What changed?

It is highly unlikely even for someone who has heart disease they were born with to have a heart attack when they are a teenager, so the risk of you having one is extremely low.

Emergency rooms must evaluate all cases of chest pain in all ages to make sure there is not anything wrong.  

The thing they are usually looking for is not a heart attack when you come in the ER but any type of other heart problem, which can often also be seen on EKG, chest x-ray, but not usually on blood work unless you are in heart failure.

Children who have severe un-repaired problems with their heart are at the greatest risk of a heart attack, and even for them it is unlikely.

Yes, it seems that you are experiencing some form of Anxiety towards this issue.  However, I am unable to re-assure you because it is possible for everyone to have one.  Your risk is extremely low though.

People who are having heart attacks usually have other symptoms too, like shortness of breath, pain in the jaw, back, neck, or stomach, lightheadedness, nausea, cold sweats.

Most people who had a heart attack experience 2 symptoms BUT not all.  It can be any mix of symptoms and everyone is different.

Rest assured, I think you will be fine.  Listen to whatever advice the ER and local doctor has given you.

Answer 2

What happens to people with heart problems is after 50 - 60 years of regular heart beats. When they have a couple of flutters they start to panic and get on the slippery slide.

Your age and weight and physical health say get out and have a good time but your mind is focusing on your heart pumping. Before you waste the time and resources of the health system. Test your self for oxygenation. Its also the best way to reassure yourself of your self and your family. Look in the mirror and if your don't see color changes in your face your cool. Cold hands and feet only work if its not winter if your talking heart attack you need to see changes of color in your face and extremities.  

I went to the Cardiac Clinic once a month for 4 years and I met with the guys who where to sick to come through surgery and they do not look good. Before I went in for my new mitral valve my work mates said "I had a gray face and blue lips. If you can do any running on the spot and waving your arms around jumping up and down your Ok so don't worry.

One thing you could do is go to your Doctor and explain to them that you think you would benefit from monitoring of your hearts condition. They have low wave length echo recording systems that hook up to a PC and these can give your Doctor and you a good understanding of whats going on with your heart.

Will you believe your doctor cause when you don't believe the ones in the hospital. They have been right so far your not dead. If you go back to the Emergency room 8 times and they all say your OK what does it take for you to be OK.        

Answer 3

yes anxiety attacks mimic heart attacks. however, nobody has ever died from an anxiety attack. Ever. so remember, it will always pass after a while, just give it time.

Answer 4

I honestly can't tell you that it is or isn't a heart attack because I'm not a doctor. However, the chances of someone your age having a heart attack are pretty close to zero--especially since you do not have a family history of them and you don't seem to do anything that would increase the chances.

However, I would see if your parents are willing to get a second opinion from another hospital. Or, go to a specialist, like a cardiac surgeon or cardiologist.

I'm 20 years old and two years ago started experiencing chest and arm pain. I also felt like I was going to faint at times and my heart would go extremely fast and skip beats when I was at rest. I had probably at least 4 EKGs, chest Xrays, an ultrasound, and quite a few doctors look at me. They finally decided that I have tachycardia, an abnormally fast heart beat.

The anxiety pills should help you so that you do not panic over the feeling you are having when you feel the pain and the pain you are feeling may just be connected to the prolapse you already have. I sometimes get little pains once in awhile even though I'm on medication. I don't think you have much to worry about since you seem pretty healthy, however, I would seek a second opinion or go to someone with more specific knowledge if you haven't already.

Answer 5

Ok, so you will believe strangers on the Internet who don't know you, have no medical training, haven't examined you or run any heart tests? And take their advice over that of your doctors?

I'd say if doctors have seen you 8 times and told you it is panic/anxiety attack then that is what it is.

Answer 6

Very unlikely.

Answer 7

Regular visits to your own general practitioner would provide you with the reassurance you crave. The problem with going to emergency facilities too often is that the over-worked staff there might begin not to take you as seriously as they might if they had an ongoing relationship with you.

Answer 8

I get these too, but not as much as you. It is very scary, I know. No one here can give you medical advice, but it sounds like you are ok, because you have had those tests.

My husband (who has some paramedic training) works nights, but one night he was home when I had one. I was so scared. I am under so much stress now. What he told me and what my friend told me (she has panic attacks and her dad died of a heart attack) is that a heart attack feels like an elephant is on your chest.

If I were you, DO NOT drink anything with caffeine, if you do. Bad, very bad when you suffer from these. Your Zoloft will take a bit to kick in, so give it several weeks at least. You also need to calm yourself as much as possible and try to not get very stressed. One thing I do is read. I also take lots of hot showers and my biggest stress-reliever is my dog. I recommend a pet if you do not have one ONLY if you have the money, time and commitment to take care of him or her. They are a huge responsibility, but my dog is my joy.

Good luck to you. Take care.

ETA:

Make an appointment with your family doctor and tell him or her what you told us.

Answer 9

What you are describing sounds like what I have been through in the last 6 months. You say you have mitral valve prolapse but you may be experiencing what they call mitral valve prolapse syndrome. Here are a couple of links that may help you. Unless there are those who have been through these symptoms, they will never know how scary they can be. One of these links are to a support group and the other is to another page with information on MVPS. Hope this helps. I would consider going to a cardiologist also.

http://www.mvpsupport.com/

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/mit...

Good luck.

Answer 10

It sounds as if you've been through the medical ringer so to speak... It is unlikely that you are having a heart attack if you have been to the ER 8 times for chest pain.  Standard procedure for chest pain is to perform a series of blood tests which have to spaced apart by 6-8 hrs and if elevated levels are found then the heart muscle is damaged.  

You do not have any risk factors for a heart attack, however given the amount of times this has happened you may want to consider an outpatient appt. with a qualified pediatric cardiologist.  The ER is often busy and although you have not shown any heart damage (heart attack) ER's do not do preventative medicine.  It is prudent to have a full stress test and any other additional things a cardiologist would recommend.