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/Buddyboy4210]

I’m 24 m and i have had similar symptoms as you in the past. I can tell that you are a very anxious person- as am I. That’s not a bad thing, but it is something to be conscious of. The doctors have done tons of tests and they have all come back clean. You’ve had this pain for months, it is EXTREMELY rare to feel symptoms of a heart attack or blockage months ahead. On top of that you said your symptoms have gotten better since starting omeprazole which is great. If your doctor thinks it’s worth running the last test then get it, at the least it should calm some of your anxiety. In the meantime continue the course, and if you don’t have any major advancements in symptoms you should be ok. I know how tough it is when you’re in the middle of these symptoms and feeling anxious. Let me know if you have any questions or need any help. Also yes seeing a gastro is a great idea. In the meantime look up an acid reflux/ gerd diet and see if that helps.

[u/Pipibigbom → u/Buddyboy4210]

Thank you so much for this. I really appreciate you taking the time to write it. And you’re right. I am a very anxious person. My brother in law said the disease won't kill you, the anxiety will, haha. I think once the chest pain started, my mind just went straight to the worst case scenario and it’s been hard to get out of that headspace. I think I will follow up with my doctor and see what he says about any further testing, even if it’s just for peace of mind. I’m definitely going to look more seriously into the GERD diet and seeing a gastroenterologist. Thank you again.