33 & overweight—heart attack-like symptoms but tests are fine. Is it

CrimsonVigil

I’m scared, dads. I’m 33, a bit overweight, and since February I’ve been having what feel like attacks, almost like a heart attack. I’ve been to the hospital multiple times; the doctor and all the tests are fine, yet honestly it feels more than panic attacks. It happens often, out of nowhere—I get light‑headed and it feels like my heart is going to stop. Sometimes I get a rapid heartbeat, other times it stays the same but I still feel the chest tightness. The doctor won’t help me; they just put it down to panic attacks, but I sense it’s more. I’m 33, my kids are still young, and I can’t leave them. I have lost weight and continue to lose weight, but I’ve never been so scared in my life when these attacks happen. I opened up to my wife and said, “I don’t feel invincible anymore.” I can’t leave my kids eearly—I just can’t.

LairdKrisFire

Hey buddy, it sounds like anxiety is really weighing on you. The good news is you’re still here, and there’s a book called Dare that might help. I’ve been there too I had to accept that I could die, and I ended up in the ER a lot. All you can do is accept it for what it is.

VelcroViking

Check out a functional‑medicine doc and a cardiologist. If he’s not taking magnesium, he should learn about it.

StarlightSips

Brother, it seems that panic attacks often feel like “something more.” If your doctors say they aren’t a specific medical episode, then there’s a very, very, very high chance that it’s simply panic.

Cognitive behavioral therapy and a clean lifestyle good sleep, a balanced diet, regular exercise might work wonders for you.

SkyBanshee42

Stress and anxiety for me. I had a flirtation with atrial fibrillation that knocked me out behind the wheel. Ended up giving a building an unsolicited hug with my car. All the tests said “perfectly fine.” No heart trouble just the delightful combo of marriage/divorce drama and work stress.

Pixiluxe28

Four months ago you were 189 pounds.
Last week you weighed 156.4 pounds.
You stopped eating red meat and began eating rice and fish.
You do at least 100 push‑ups every other day.

shadowcorvus

I was missing the best moments of my kids’ lives. My wife told me plainly, “If you don’t change, you won’t be there to raise them or see them graduate high school.” I lost 86 pounds in six months and have kept it off for four years. You’re not alone, bro. Start doing something now. Feel free to reach out if you have questions.

Stardustslum

Skins like anxiety bud. Don't be ashamed to get help

GammerGuru88

As a decently active 33 year old dad who just had a heart attack last month, I can tell you that you need to get other opinions, see new doctors, go to urgent care, fake symptoms to have your blood tested if that’s what it takes.

I woke up at 2 am with the middle of my chest feeling like I was recently hit with a bat, got up to pee and laid down for a little until I fell asleep(pain got worse when I rolled to my side but stayd the same laying flat.

I woke up two hours later to pain only enough to know it’s there (like a constant whisper.

I got up thinking I just slept wrong, got ready to drive 3 hours to a side job, worked for 4 hours and drove back.

I wanted to stop by the ER before going home because though the pain was barely there, it still was, constantly.

I got checked in and started triage where they eventually drew blood to rule out some things and they came back a little later and said that my traponins were very high and hopefully it’s just paracarditis(swelling of the heart tissue) they said a decently normal traponin level for non admittance was 120…I read at 5,600.

An hour later when second blood test and cray was completed they confirmed that it was not paracarditis, it was confirmed diabetes and a mild heart attack in my small lower artery being 100% blocked.

My diet was 2 liters of pop(sugar filled caffeinated beverages) fried Sheetz food and no restrictions.

ALL I HAD TO WARN ME WAS ABNORMAL (FOR ME) CHEST PAIN.

Lostinastate

Sounds like therapy could help. Also, try one of the many diets out there keto, paleo, vegan, intermittent fasting, carb throttling, and plenty more. They all have one thing in common: to really work, you’ve got to cut out processed foods. Stick to meat and veggies. Avoid wheat, dairy, and anything high in carbs. If you don’t feel better in two weeks, try a different diet.

zenraggumm21

I’ve experienced both anxiety and acid reflux, and I wonder if that might be relevant for you. It seems that each can potentially trigger the other. Since they can influence the vagus nerve, they sometimes give a sensation similar to a heart attack. It appears that stress and diet are often the primary factors. In my own case, I noticed that having energy drinks first thing i the morning seemed to upset my stomach; I’m not claiming that’s definitive, but I thought it worth mentioning.

CybroXe

Grab a heart monitor from the shelf and begin tracking everything what you eat, where you are, miles you walk, your mood, life events, temperature just like that. Figure it out on your own. Doctors don’t have magic wands; they need data. Get an Apple Watch and activate all the health‑data recording apps.

SniNach1

To rule out heart‑related issues, get lab work to check your cholesterol. Tangible evidence of high cholesterol will justify further doctor action, and normal results will remove one worry. Meanwhile, keep up your diet and startt exercising if you haven’t already any regular activity is better than none.

Speaking as someone with similar symptoms, my labs showed high cholesterol and a family doctor told me what to do. I’m passing along what I was told 😁

I’m believing for you that all will be well. You will have a long life with your children!

bluedotswords

Anxiety can feel a lot like a heart attack, and from the desperation in this post, that could definitely be part of what’s happening.

GizmoLab

ANXIETY ATTACKS!! Try natural remedies first, then talk to doctors about ssri’s for anxiety. I suggest getting a gene test so you know which meds jive with you or don’t. It’s anxiety, man, I’ve been thru it.

JoshCartwheel

I need to get in shape, man. I was 280 last year and felt the same way, thinking something was off. I dropped 60 lb, and I haven’t had chest pains or an irregular heartbeat for a while.

MindCrackNexus

I find myself saying, it's anxiety, brother. I've been living with it for just over a decade, and it feels like an unwelcome companion I can't shake. It's so hard to get used to, and I've sat in endless doctor’s offices, one after another. I want you to know you're not alone, my friend. I truly believe it will get better. You've got this 💪🏻💪🏻

SweeKaiserCookie

Hey, consider getting a second opinion. Try to find a doctor who’ll do a long‑term Holter monitor. It’s probably just an irregular rhythm that feels weird in your chest, and it won’t hurt you, but it’s better to be safe and find out for sure. And the anxiety of not knowing just makes it worse.

Skywardz88

I had a total heart blockage and a heart attack when I was 39, plus acid reflux and panic attacks after the attack.

It really sounds like a panic attack feels almost exactly like a heart attack.

I’d suggest trying some anti‑anxiety meds and getting a nice weighted blanket.

VikTravelBug

Looks like stress‑induced panic attacks and pretty high anxiety. Sometimes your mind messes with your body. Looks like you’re already working on the physical side.