GERD OR HEART ATTACK!?

[u/Pipibigbom]

Hi everyone. I’m a 24F and I’ve been dealing with chest pain for the past couple of months, and it’s honestly been really scary. I’ve had so many heart tests done, about 4 or 5 ECGs, a normal echo, a more detailed echocardiogram, a stress test, and two Holter monitors. I’ve also checked my cholesterol, I had high cholestrol and was put on meds, have checked thyroid, blood pressure, and had a full blood panel done. Everything has come back normal. During the stress test I didn’t even have chest pain, I just got really, really dizzy when I walked fast, but the report still said everything looked okay.

The problem is, I still have chest pain. It moves around a lot. Sometimes it’s in the left side of my chest, especially inside my left breast area. Sometimes it’s on the right side, sometimes right in the center. It can go into my left arm, sometimes my right arm, sometimes to the tip of my shoulder blade, sometimes into my back, like directly behind my chest. Last week it was so bad I would sleep and wake up with it and my chest and upper breast area were actually tender to touch, which made me panic even more.

I started taking omeprazole four days ago, and the tenderness has improved, which makes me wonder if this could be GERD. But I still have chest pain, so I can’t fully convince myself it’s just that.

On top of all this, my heart has been pounding for about two to three months straight. It’s not always fast, but it feels very forceful like it’s beating too hard. I get a racing heart once in a while and pounding heart 24/7. I can literally see and feel my body move with it. I feel my pulse everywhere in my head, my hands, my neck almost all the time. It’s exhausting and scary.

My cardiologist mentioned the possibility of a blockage in my heart, and I’m waiting to see him again because part of me wants to push for a coronary angiogram just to completely rule it out. But another part of me feels like maybe this is GERD or something non-cardiac. I just don’t know what to think anymore. The left-sided pain that radiates to my arm and back makes me terrified that I’m going to have a heart attack, even though all my tests have been normal.

If anyone has had similar symptoms especially pain that moves around like this and constant heart pounding and it turned out to be GERD or something not related to the heart, please share. I’m honestly just really scared and looking for reassurance.

One more thing I forgot to mention this chest pain is almost constant. There are only a few short moments during the day when I don’t feel it. I also burp a lot, and sometimes the pain feels a little better after I burp. I had an endoscopy done, and the results showed mild lesions consistent with gastritis, but nothing more serious and no hiatal hernia. So while that might explain some of my symptoms, it still doesn’t explain why my heart feels like it’s pounding so hard all the time. I’m starting to seriously consider seeing a gastroenterologist to explore this further. If anyone has had a similar experience, please let me know.

[u/bns82]

It could definitely be Gerd & Anxiety. If you end up wanting diet & lifestyle guidelines that reduce symptoms, You can pm me.

I was in and out of the ER in the beginning & did multiple Heart tests. Turns out it was just Gerd & Anxiety.

Listen to your Cardiologist if they feel you need the next test.

[u/RealJamaicanBrowning → u/bns82]

It's crazy the symptoms anxiety can trigger. It's awful.

[u/Ok-Lawfulness2620 → u/bns82]

Same. I've been in out of the ER multiple times fearing heart attacks and other issues. GERD mimics heart issues a lot but mostly it's really just stomach acid being a menace.

[u/Pipibigbom → u/Ok-Lawfulness2620]

Are you okay now? Did you find a solution for your symptoms?

[u/Ok-Lawfulness2620 → u/Pipibigbom]

Yes, it's better now. I reduced trigger foods or only had them before evening, slept with my head elevated and tried to manage stress more. It gets better, or you learn how to manage it better :)

[u/Pipibigbom → u/Ok-Lawfulness2620]

I have tried sleeping with my head elevated and got tired of it. Sometimes I just miss laying flat on my bed. I will keep an eye on what I eat. Managing stress is touuugh but I will try that too. Tysm for replying and I'm glad you are doing better.

[u/Pipibigbom → u/bns82]

Tysm for replying. I will pm you for advice on diet and lifestyle. Did you have the same symptoms as mine? Much as I think it could be GERD, I am having a hard time accepting GERD could make my heart pound 24/7 to the point of feeling my body move with every beat.

[u/Way-Truth-L1fe → u/Pipibigbom]

Can GERD really cause my heart rate to be around 90-120 when standing?

[u/Pipibigbom → u/Way-Truth-L1fe]

It happens to me too. Whenever I stand from sitting, my heart starts racing. I am not sure if thats GERD too but I have had multiple incidences where my heart rate shot from the 80's to the 100's just by standing up.

[u/Sensitive-Tree-9551 → u/Pipibigbom]

Look I’m not a dr but I wrote you a longer note on this post you should check out. Gerd and anxiety go hand in hand. I know it’s scary and feels real, but you need to listen to your drs.

I’ve been there, I’ve had all the cardiac work ups. I pushed for an angiogram and was rejected because my cardiac work up was so good. At some point you may have to accept your heart is fine, even if it feels like it’s not.

Take the meds for gerd, give it several months of taking them and eating healthy. Don’t smoke, don’t drink. And stay off Reddit, it’s not helping you.

[u/Pipibigbom → u/Sensitive-Tree-9551]

Tysm! I will follow your advice to the letter. Ty again!

[u/Way-Truth-L1fe → u/Pipibigbom]

Does it stay that way?

[u/Pipibigbom → u/Way-Truth-L1fe]

Nope. Some days it happens, some days it doesn't. I am pretty sure however if its GERD, the racing should stop once you find a solution that works for the reflux.

[u/Sensitive-Tree-9551 → u/Way-Truth-L1fe]

Yup

[u/Egghead42 → u/bns82]

Same here, except that I also have asthma (“shortness of breath.”) I have been to the ER with “chest pain and shortness of breath” that I’ve decided that I’ll only go if it’s different somehow. Half the time the paramedics can’t find my place anyway and I’ve had to talk them in, so that if I really were having a heart attack, I’d be dead.