i often t get symptoms identical to heart attack, but doc says ECG is fine. what's happening to me?
399636
sounds like an anxiety/panic attack
392893
You probably have PVCs/PACs, I've had them for a few years and I hate those @@#$@ so much. They feel like an extra beat, flip flop, or fast double beat right? I think its recommended that you be evaluated by a cardiologist to make sure you dont have any heart defects. The vast majority of cases though either just happen for no apparent reason, anxiety/stress related, potassium/calcium/magnesium imbalance in your blood, or a thyroid problem like they were saying. My doc theyre probably anxiety related too and I didn't think I'm anxious either. A lot of people say beta blockers work for them as well and my doc put me on one but it didn't do anything for me. Never tried an antidepressant/anxiety drug but some people say those have helped them, so go for it if you want. Mine seem to be triggered when I'm under stress, drink, dont get enough sleep, or drink too much caffeine. Exercise seems to reduce them for me, but everyone's triggers are different. You can check out the heart forum at medhelp.org a lot of people have them and have all kinds of weird tips and tricks you can try. I think the best thing to do if they really bother you is keep track of what triggers them and then avoid those triggers if practical.
97382
Yes. These are classic symptoms of a heart attack.
522887
I get them too, and I seem to notice them at the same time you do -- maybe it's because we are finally resting or whatever, so they seems to stand out compared to when we are rushing about during the day.  I was told they can be from anxiety even if you aren't feeling especially anxious at that particular moment.  I got scared when they kept happening to me, and that's what my doctor said she thought was causing it.  If you have had an EKG, though, I think you are pretty safe.  I'm sort of glad to know I'm not the only one!
1133176
There is a lot of misinformation here.  I'm an EMT/Paramedic in an ER and I've personally treated many, many heart attacks as well as other cardiac problems.\n\nFirst of all, there is no "guarantee" that you would experience left arm pain, pressure in the chest, difficulty breathing, or even chest pain when you have a heart attack.  These are some of the "textbook" symptoms, but not everyone will experience the same signs and symptoms.  In fact, women tend to have very atypical symptoms.  Many people suffer "silent" heart attacks, where no significant symptoms are present.\n\nSecond, when you have a heart attack, that does not mean that your heart has stopped beating (cardiac arrest).  In most heart attacks, cardiac arrest does NOT occur.  A heart attack simply means that a part of your heart tissue is experiencing damage, often due to a blockage of one of the coronary arteries that provides blood (and oxygen) to the tissue.  The earlier it is detected and treated, the more favorable the outcome.  \n\nIf you think you have experienced anything that could be cardiac, I would recommend that you see your physician ASAP.  They will probably perform an EKG (electrocardiogram) to look for abnormalities in your rhythm that may be indicative of a cardiac issue, and they will probably test certain enzyme levels in your blood (CKMB and troponin) which can also indicate a cardiac event.\n\nHowever, I would be very cautious of trying to get serious medical advice here.  I've seen a lot of poor advice and misinformation given in this category (and in this thread, for that matter).
805809
Wow how paranoid are you?  You are thinking that your doctors would actually refer you, and perform an open heart surgery without it being indicated?  Do you think it is useful to be so distrustful of your health care providers?  I know doctors move quickly and don't take time to explain things.  Believe me, when you already are working very long days and nights and not keeping up, taking more time with each patient is difficult to do.  Nonetheless, doctors got into the business because they are there to help.  Ask questions if you don't understand.  Do your own research and inform yourself about some of the basic workings of your own physiology.  Its one thing to answer questions but sometimes as a health professional, you need to lay a whole ground work with a patient before your answer would make any sense to them.  This is very time consuming.  So learn about yourself and how your heart works if you don't already know.\nTry this link for reliable information\nhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease/HB99999\n\nNow to answer your question about the "silent heart attack."  We do see this with patients frequently.  There are EKG changes that are consistent with certain parts of the cardiac muscle no longer working.  Other tests (e.g. echocardiograms, myograms)  can give similar results.  My personal feeling about this is that this is either chronically occluded small vessel disease or a congenital defect rather than a full blown event like we typically think of with a heart attack.  This makes the most sense in that over time small vessels become more and more blocked, progressively starving the heart muscle of oxygenated blood.  Eventually an area of the heart dies off.  It happens so slowly that there never is pain, shortness of breath, sweating, etc.  When the area of heart muscle dies, there are changes in monitoring devices like EKG's giving rise to the diagnosis of a "silent heart attack."  Whatever the source it means that there is a part of your heart that no longer contracts and pumps blood like it should.  At minimum this predisposes you for congestive heart failure...which has a high incidence of mortality or morbidity.  If I were you, I would listen to the medical people.  Your life and quality of life will depend on it.\n\nGood luck.
377893
Yes, definitely see your doctor. Anxiety, depression, ADD, and the like are complicated and are many times just the body and brain reacting to either an inherent or temporary chemical imbalance. Stress, in general, can hurt your arteries regardless of your coronary health.  You may also have a sleep disorder that you are unaware of. \n\nI had funny things happening in my chest and it scared me to death. The problem actually went away, but the doctor said that it was a normal expression of abnormal stress. It wasn't even a rough period I was going through. Although he didn't put me on medication, you may need it, and there are plenty of good, tested over time, anti-depressants/antianxietal drugs such as Wellbutrin XL that are for people who are dealing with anxiety but are still quite able to function in day to day life. So, no Prozac or Zoloft would be needed here... \n\nbut DEFINITELY go to the doctor to eliminate anything regarding your coronary system. But, like I said, if you are in good health otherwise, don't jump to conclusions about your heart and follow your intuition: Yes, it is possible to have mild anxiety all the time. You are not crazy, you are normal, and there are things that will help you...
765525
no, this is too low of a stimulus or intake if it was to be a cause, you could talk to the doctor for possible causes of the exact heart beat problem, good luck
354048
I have the feeling sometimes that my heart "skips" a beat.  It's like thump, thump, thump......thump.  I asked my doctor about it, he checked things out with an EKG, etc...and said that it is most likely just normal for me.  It can be brought on by periods of anxiety or stress...try decreasing caffeine.  BUT MOST IMPORTATNLY, IF YOU HAVEN'T CHECKED WITH A DOCTOR YET...DO SO, MAKE SURE ITS NORMAL FOR YOU.
1110212
Yes this could be from anxiety. The light headedness, and excess swallowing from nervousness, and the shortness of breath from possibly hyperventilating from too much worry about the situation. Id say mild panic attack but the chest pressure with light headedness could mean worse. Id get an ekg and " get it off your chest".
379056
Having the sensation of "skipped" or "extra" heart beats is quite common. To start, check your pulse for a full minute either at your wrist or neck. Usually you can tell if your heart rate is regular or if there are extra beats suddenly appearing. Sometimes it is a good idea for someone else to check for you as well (ie a "second opinion").\n\nHaving occasional "premature atrial contractions" is also quite common - these will give the sensation of either an extra beat or a skipped beat. \n\nIf these sensations continue or are impeding your daily functioning it is probably a good idea to go see your physician as an abnormal heart rhythm can be very serious.
584710
wow happens to me too from time to time......get checked for a heart arrhythmia
1128142
You need to see a doctor, and they will probably either:\n1)Put a 24-hour heart monitor on you if it happens daily.\n2)Put an event recorder on you that you can keep for up to one month to capture the fast heartrate and see what it looks like.\n\nIf you do not have any symptoms such as shortness of breath, low blood pressure, or dizziness during it, that's good.  Still need to find out what it is.\n\nI would see a cardiologist or electrophysiologist, who specializes in abnormal heart rhythms.  They are experts in this stuff.
410467
Could be axiety attacks-that's about the age my daughter got them-stress related-but could be serious I was 26 when I had my first heart attack after egnoring some of the same symtoms.\nTell her to have a doctor check her out and if it's stress he can give her something to help her and you will feel better know that she is not seriously ill.
1153121
The term is a "premature ventricular contraction"  (aka PVC).  It is common and benign.  Although it feels like your heart stops, the large part of your heart actually beats earlier than it was supposed to have....then the signal comes through to tell it to beat...but it doesn't beat because it needs to reset after having just beat....then there is a slight pause until the next signal comes down telling it to beat.  It resumes completely normal function thereafter.  If you have many of these episodes or if you become light-headed or dizzy with them, then you should get it checked.  Otherwise it requires no medical attention.
1030644
Too many possibilities, you need to see your doctor and get it checked out. Anything stressfull happen lately? Have you considered the possibility of it being GERD? \n\nIn any event only an EKG, CX and labs can rule out MI ... yes it's happened before at age 22, so see a doctor even if you think it's something mild.\n\nEdit: \nSince you gave more info the only thing I can tell you is that you need an EKG read by an experienced MD. THere are a number of arrythmias that could cause you to have these sensations, some obvious and some not so. WPW for example is rare but something that could be associated with your symptoms. No one here is qualified to make that dx so the sooner you see someone the better off you will be.
824556
I used to have some really bad ones! 2 or 3 times a day! I really thought I was having a heart attack, it is really frightening!!! I had to take anxiety medication and now I only have them once in a while! You look like you might be having a depression, too much stress and maybe not enough sleep! Don't stay like that, you are not alone, seek help from your doctor!!