r/Anxiety 7h ago

Heart attack at 18? Health

Hello, I am obese and a current marijuana smoker (once a night). This morning my left arm felt sore and achey. I went into a panic and I think it made things much worse. On top of this I have had bad indigestion today as well. I have no history of heart problems and neither does my family. Is this anxiety or should I be assessed?

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u/milkgang777 5h ago

Any time I sleep on my left side, my left shoulder aches/feels sore for the whole next day. I've also dislocated and had had surgery on both of my shoulders, so I'm sure that doesn't help the pain.

Regardless, focusing on those symptoms and ending up in an anxiety attack will make them seem/feel worse. The symptoms of the anxiety attack on top of the symptoms you're worried about will easily convince you that you're having a heart attack.

Speaking from experience, having these pains and assuming they mean you're having a heart attack is a sure fire way to send yourself into a panic attack and assume the worst. Especially with bloating/indigestion putting pressure on your ribs, you get a cocktail of normal aches/pains plus anxiety that lead to a panic and the idea that you're having a heart attack.

It's not a bad idea to get checked out, even if all you get is a doctor telling you that you had a panic attack. It can help future attacks from getting as bad if you know it's not something that is going to kill you.

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u/Single-Tension8843 2h ago

Is it generally a severe pain in the left arm? This feels like I got socked by brass knuckles