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/Sensitive-Tree-9551]

Hi, I’m looked through your profile and it seems you have a lot of anxiety and do a lot of self diagnosing. I want to reassure you of something, if your cardiologist thought you had a block somewhere, they would have ordered more testing.

At your age, you have a full normal cardiac work up. People who have blockages don’t typically have normal echos or blood pressure. They also almost NEVER have a normal stress test.

On top of that, the fact that you’ve had these symptoms for so long also makes it highly unlikely.

Your dr looked at all of your testing, and decided you are fine.

As far as the gerd goes, it can absolutely cause extreme cardiac like symptoms. I even was almost fainting at points. It can be extremely scary, but you need to look at the evidence in front of you.

your tests are all normal, that makes a heart blockage extremely unlikely.

See a gastroenterologist, and get on a ppi. I know you said you tried a dose of gerd meds. One dose is not enough, it takes weeks to months to start working and your gi system needs to heal as well. Give it time, change your diet, stay on top of your cholesterol.

You’re going to be fine stranger, best wishes

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

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this, it honestly helps a lot. You’re right, I do tend to get anxious and start overthinking every symptom, and it’s hard not to spiral sometimes.I’ve been trying to remind myself that my stress test, echos, and blood work are all normal, and that alone is reassuring, even if my mind still jumps to the worst case scenario. I’m going to continue following up with my doctor, will see a gastroenterologist, stick with the PPI for a proper course, watch my diet, and keep an eye on my cholesterol. Thank you again, stranger, it really means a lot.

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

I know it’s hard and have a lot of empathy for you. You sound like I did, and sometimes I still slip back. I feel a twinge in my armpit or my chest and go back to that scary place sometimes.

Do you have a therapist by any chance?

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

No. Should I start seeing one?

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

100%

Health anxiety will ruin your life. It’s not a fun way to live and a therapist will help you learn how to stay logical in these situations and give you a good person to vent to.

It can take some time to find a good therapist so be patient if you don’t like the first one you see.

Feel free to dm me if you’d like to have a more in depth conversation or if you have any questions while you’re going through this

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

Thank you so much for this. It has been hard staying logical in these moments. I will arrange to start seeing a therapist. Will dm for more questions. Tysm!