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

CrimsonVigil · 2025-10-29T12:30:07+00:00

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.

darkrukim

I weigh 315 pounds and have a very physical job. Lately, I feel the same only when I bite into something fatty or drink soda. It could be acid reflux or trapped gas, bro.

ReyWillChino

I’m 31, and three years ago I went through a year of nonstop panic attacks. I was convinced I had heart problems, but it turned out to be anxiety.

SnekPlissken94

Congratulations on your choice to lose weight and like most i would say it's likely an anxiety attack.

That said it could also be a gallbladder attack.

Mine had me convinced it was a heart attack.

SatoshiFuryxus

I totally agree with the earlier commenters. It sounds like anxiety and panic are probably what’s going on. Looks like you’ve got a lot happening, so I’d say give joining a support group a try, at least. And maybe think about seeing a psychiatrist to see if medication could help.

MavroJoey7

First, ignore the “just eat less sugar or drink more water” advice. It won’t fix this. The problem is likely one of two things: genuine anxiety or a heart dysrhythmia. SVT or V‑Tach with a pulse can mimic the symptoms. Bring these possibilities to your doctor and follow their recommendation.

WaffleMarsh

You're having panic attacks. I went through exactly this in my 30's.

MitchLanar1989

Check GERD for sure. It feels like a heart‑attack in pain and gives a panic‑attack sensation. I called in to work because of it. I’m confident that’s your issue!

EveliMox

Eliminate soda and sugar and eat more protein than carbohydrates.

YeeZDragon

Go see an LCSW who specializes in CBT and your PCP for ozempic.

mighty3ndes

Just the way you worded your post... it sounds like you are hyper‑alert and anxious. Not throwing stones. I know because I have anxiety. Maybe try an anxiety medication for short‑term relief and therapy for long‑term change. The worst part of a panic attack is that you convince yourself it is way more than that. The textbook‑typical thing that happens is you become scared you have something that is going to kill you and the doctors just haven't found it yet. Talk to your Dr. maybe get a cardio check done.

The therapy will also help with immediately going to worst‑case scenarios and accepting that is not healthy for your mental health.

I also find that the more hydrated I am... the less anxious I am.

Hope this helps i some way. It is a scary place to be, man... but this too shall pass. You will get it under control and things will calm down for you eventually.

CabbageBerg

I’m feeling exactly the same so far I’m just chalking it up to my muscle mass dwindling and being swapped for fat.

Mostly because I’ve been skipping exercise and drowning in massive stress.

But a good workout, some stretching, and a big hug from my little kid totally lifts me up!

greenraptor

Hey ma, I’m a nurse in the health squad. Could be a panic attack, but if you think it’s more, you gotta be your own main. Maybe your ticker does a quick lag one second off, then back online. That can feel just like you described. To check, hit pu your doc and ask for a chest‑strap monitor for a couple weeks. It logs your heart beat, and if something feels off you can smash the event button so the reviewer flags that segment. If that scan shows nada, you can grab an echo to see the heart’s map and a stress test to see how it handles boss‑level pressure. Hope this helps. Good luck, god bless you got this.

AlmightyNative

I developed atrial fibrillation at 41, after COVID and the vaccine; I have my own views on that. I'm slightly overweight. Fortunately, I know many cardiologists and was cardioverted promptly. It bothers me to be on heart meds at 45, but I'm alive. My advice, before assuming anxiety, is: find a cardiologist, get an EKG, consider a Holter monitor, and lose weight it helps a lot.

HockeyMosaic

Take a walk in the woods or on the beach your happy place and pause to pray on it… DO IT ALONE!
God knows you’re trying to become the man you wish to be…
We, as fathers, have a lot to worry about…
Pray on it while you walk…

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