Paranoia about my heart / circulatory system?

Question

For a couple of years now, I've had this paranoia about my heart, specifically that it's in a bad way and that I'm going to have a heart attack or something similar at anytime.
Firstly, I've been to the doctors on a number of occassions to have it checked out - I've even passed an Army medical which included having a thorough scan of my heart, and yet I still can't shake this silly paranoia.
It's not all the time, and certainly, since I've been going to the gym for the last 5 months it's become much better.
The problem is I've not been able to do much for the last month as I broke my leg (read, someone broke it for me) whilst playing rugby. And since I've not been able to do any exercise, I can't help thinking I must now be really unfit and my heart is suffering.
I know I'm being irrational, and that's exactly what it is, I simply can't switch it off though.
Has anyone else experienced this, and if so, did you find any kind of remedy to it?
Cheers.

Answer 1

This happened to me after I started getting ectopic beats during pregnancy. I was absolutely convinced that I had a serious heart condition and could drop dead at any moment - in spite of ECG's etc.

Basically, you're suffering from a form of anxiety. You need to understand that you can't stop this by yourself, and seeing a normal doctor won't really help because, in reality, it's not your heart that is the problem. Somewhere deep inside, you probably know that, but the thoughts are intrusive, nonetheless.

You need to be referred to a psychotherapist who can teach you ways of dealing with thoughts like this. It can be done, I promise.

I really feel for you but, honestly, with medical advances these days any problem with your heart WOULD have been picked up.

In a way, it's a bit like obsessive compulsive disorder. People who wash their hands all the time know deep down that there's no real need, but those intrusive thoughts will not let the matter rest.

Insist that your doctor refers you - you can be helped. With me, the problem has gradually died away and I do have little worries from time to time - but not the panic I used to experience.

Good luck xx

Answer 2

The effectstacy of ecstasy! The problems are you don't know what's in the pill, even if your most trusted friend tells you it's fine. Believe me every single time I got that stuff when I was younger, I don't think I've ever met a person that said "I honestly don't know what's in there" everyone always says "Yo this is good sh**" obviously. Anyway, besides that, if you are at all a depressed person or have any problems in your life then it screws with the chemicals in your brain--so you will find it more difficult to become naturally happy during happy situations. Or sad during sad situations. Or happy during sad situations, sad during happy, it unbalances the chemical levels in your brain! Depending on your personality, you might think that E is the answer, and take it to feel happy, because it seems fine and you didn't see any bad effects from the first time you did it-so "wow this stuff is great". Then a year or 2 later you are such an E tard and tell kids not to do what you did, because now you can never sleep and can't feel normal without taking 8 pills a week night (where 1 is usually enough) and you have a whole new group of friends (people get uncomfortable about x) If you are a healthy happy person then you might not have any problems with it, maybe a bad trip where you're throwing up, sweating, and your heart is going crazy. If you are at a rave or place with a ton of people your chances of death or hospitalization are much higher than they would be if you were in a house with your friends, though.

Answer 3

ask your doctor to do a fasting blood test from this he will give you your chorelesterol level which is normaly 4 to 5 depending on the type of saturated fats you eat with a normal heart problem you experiance tingling in the little finger of either hand a gripping pain in your chest through to your back profuse sweating pain in the temples severe headache raised blood pressure breathlessness on walking up any incline loss of conciouness I know these symptoms well I only went for a routine check up was admitted straight away had a quadruple bypass and was home again in three weeks I was 11 stone when I was admited and 7 stone 5 when I cme home due to the large doses of drugs I was on I was out of bed walking the 3rd day after the operation I am now fitter at 57 than I felt when I was in the army at 21 if you do not have any one at least of what I have mentioned previously then I am sure you will have a long and healthy life so stop worrying about what will probably not be and enjoy your life to the full Best Wishes to you all Roy

Answer 4

Actually this story is similar to mine. I spend most my time on the computer.. had no exercise at all... then I started to notice my heart would sort of skip a beat? or well that's what it felt like to me, I could hardly sleep I was paranoid.. so I decided to go to the doctor and he told me it was fine and I should just start doing more exercise.. So I did for about half a year, then a year... I felt alot better. Once I hurt my back and couldn't exercise for about 3 weeks... I didn't feel bad though.. I just wished I wasn't so crippled so I could get back to my routine... I don't know what you think I just thought this might help a bit.

Answer 5

I think the problem here is not your heart, but an emotional issue that is being projected as a possible physical problem. I think you need to look at your life and examine all aspects of it to see if there is a situation with which you are in denial, or not dealing with, and get to grips with it, either on your own, or with relevant psychological or psychiatric help. I don't believe you have any problem with your heart at all, this is an emotional issue that in many ways will be far harder to isolate and deal with.

Answer 6

Unless your lifestyle until now has included all the usual risk factors or you've got a family history then your probably worring about nothing. Consider all the heavy smokers/drinkers and obese folk that don't exercise ever and you'll feel alot less worried about your short layoff.

Answer 7

If you have hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, smoke and have family history of heart problem , ask your docotr for a stress test and if it is normal you can rst in peace and stop worrying. If you are youg and have no risk factors you dont need to worry. Its good to talk to your doctor about your apprehension and make sure your fears are not genuine

Answer 8

I have the same worries because heart disease runs in my family--- mostly on the male side of the family... it scares me at times but i can tell you that it's bad to constantly worry about your heart... it can cause stress which can harm the heart... i'm no doctor-- just 15-- but if you want to stop worrying about it, listen to music and read. i just listen to adult alternative and snuggle up to a good book and i forget all about that little ole heart of mine... hey, with that broken leg of yours, you can give that brain of yours a chance to exercise.

Answer 9

you can do some moves with your arms listen to some music you enjoy i don't think you have anything wrong with your heat but you are just bored you really need to find something to do

Answer 10

You are a HYPOCHONDRIAC

http://www.uib.no/med/avd/med_a/gastro/wilhelms/hypochon.html

good luck