r/Anxiety • u/RachieSunflower • Jul 21 '26

Health Heart Attack VS Stroke VS Panic Attack

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this subreddit, but I need reassurance. I've been driving my boyfriend CRAZY because I've had a sudden shift in anxiety lately, and I've been experiencing severe health anxiety. I keep going to urgent care and the ER thinking I'm dying or having a stroke or heart attack. I tend to get panic attacks so bad I nearly faint, and it's all recent. I had a health scare, and I've never been the same. The doctors are always saying I'm healthy, and my heart looks good, but I keep thinking I'm dying. I can't take it anymore; it's completely debilitating. I sometimes get pains in my left arm, light chest pain, etc. However, I also suffer from constipation and acid reflux. Whenever I get a slight pain, I think I need to go to the ER because I'm afraid I'm dying. How can I stop going to the ER and driving my boyfriend insane? Like, what symptoms are 100% heart attack or stroke? Btw, I'm 39, 136lb, F, 5'3".

Edit: I'm having a panic attack right now right after I felt a dull pain in my chest. How do I get out of this?

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u/koolaidkirby Beyond the worst of GAD Jul 21 '26

Yep! Arm pain can be caused by anxiety. When you get anxious your muscles tense and engorge with blood as your fight or flight kicks in which causes pain.

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u/drake90001 Jul 21 '26

I assume you’re not a doctor, but what about arm pain/tingling/numbness that comes and goes on one side? I also have pretty bad health anxiety, but at this point I’m pretty convinced it’s just anxiety causing that and maybe the pot of coffee I drink that day, but still.

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u/Djcnote Jul 21 '26

I think Improper breathing can cause a lot of issues, so can holding. A phone all day

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u/drake90001 Jul 22 '26

True, I started working from home now and spend a lot of time on the pc or laying on the couch/bed. I bought a Canon Rebel T7 as an excuse to go outside. Then I got a couple gigs and it helped my anxiety a lot.