Need opinions

[Vasallus]

Okay: I am tired of being afraid of exercise and want to get back into it but want to know if I should just go ahead and get my heart tested to ensure nothing is wrong and I am capable of exercise. I jogged on the treadmill a few days ago and got light headed and some chest discomfort. Pretty sure I just pushed myself too hard and those are normal symptoms.

I have had a chest x ray, EKG, and blood test. All normal. Does that mean i am okay to exercise or should I get an echocardiogram and a stress test just to be sure? I am 25 years old.

Thanks!

[ahrimoniac]

Ask yourself one question - would getting those tests reassure you? Or would you think that you needed another, and another? If so, be wary!

I personally think you sound fine (good news) but of course that's just opinion. Perhaps speak to the doc and find out what he thinks.

I get out of breath and chest pains when I exercise, because I'm a massive fatty :)

[beth0277]

Sounds to me like you have had a work up and you are fine. You are young and I'm sure your body can handle exercise. Just start slow. Getting further tests will only add to the problem because something minor or benign might be found and it will send you in a tailspin (trust me on that one!).

My friend has bad HA and panics every time she exercises. She does much better when she just takes it slow. You will be fine. I would not get any additional testing.

[MrMoleHill]

Like many, I've worried about exercising in the past, as well.  This is because my 70 year old father has had heart disease, and I figured I might have it too and be putting myself in danger.  THEN, I remind myself that I'm only 36, and have maintained a good diet overall, and live an active lifestyle, and have no heart symptoms - other than the usual anxiety related palpitations. I hardly even get those.  This is therefore an irrational fear, especially if you've already been to the doctor and ran multiple tests.  "Heart" symptoms are common to anxiety.

So, the question is, why are you concerned for your heart, especially at 25?  Do you have a congenital heart problem?

[Vasallus]

When my heart rate goes up it reminds me of my first panic attack. I can't seem to shake that fear. It seems to be a mental block more than anything and i just can't seem to get over it.

[MrMoleHill]

That's a common fear, and yes, a tough one to shake, initially.  My first panic attack, I thought I was dying of a heart attack. I think I might have been 25 or 26, actually.  I went to the ER, had the chest x-ray and EKG. It was funny, I had my first major IBS attack there, too. They pulled some kind of an emergency toilet out of the wall, right there in the triage, and expected me to go there in front of everybody. Needless to say, I ripped the wires off my chest, and pulled out the IV and ran to the public restroom.

That week I went for the echocardiogram. My heart was fine, and thus began my journey through anxiety.  However, anyone that has a legitimate concern has the right to see a doctor. We just have to beware of the pitfall of doctor shopping for reassurance. God knows I've been there.

[floridaguy65]

When my heart rate goes up it reminds me of my first panic attack.

Super common, my man. When we have cardiophobia, we can fear getting our heart rates elevated. The physical sensations trigger panic, often. If we have a history of panic attacks, then we can correlate (in our anxious mind) any rapid heart beating with maybe precipitating a panic attack. Dude, I remember not even wanting to have sex as it got my heart going and then my mind would race with fears. I was 20 - 21 years old and in college...living in an apartment just off campus...talk about a BAD TIME to be afraid of sex!:) Forward 27 years, I'm 47 and in wonderful physical shape as I tax my heart all the time with rigorous exercise...cardio and weightlifting. I also play on an adult recreational softball team. My heart is a machine...an incredible powerful machine! But, you know what....it ALWAYS WAS an incredible, healthy machine...I just couldn't believe it, as I was struggling mightily with panic / anxiety issues:)

I can't seem to shake that fear. It seems to be a mental block more than anything and i just can't seem to get over it.

This is the bottom line, V. It is your mind and your thinking patterns that are leading you 'astray'. Not your heart. You've had more than enough med testing, certainly. Of course, it is tough getting going on a diligent exercise program. It is tough pushing through our fears of our heart blowing up (that's what I pictured in my amped mind happening). Nothing like that is gonna happen. What is going to happen, likely, is that you're going to feel some weirdish physical manifestations while you get your body (and mind) used to the physical activity. Again nothing bad is gonna happen from this. As you continue exercising, you'll see some pretty incredible changes in your endurance and you tolerance and in your physique. Our bods looking better is a major driver of keeping wanting to keep it up:) But, most importantly, there simply is not a single activity, IMHO, other than exercise, that has the intrinsic ability to get into our heads and help us begin to grasp that there, overwhelmingly, is nothing serious wrong with our bodies....else we couldn't keep taxing it with rigorous exercise:) It takes time. Start slowly. But start your regimented exercise program and STICK TO IT....and then increase it:) You will be thanking yourself a thousand times over - trust me:)

What's going on in your anxiety help, as well? Aside from now exercising:)

Peace and Feel Well:)

[Slangevar]

Vasallus - yes, your earlier tests should've caught anything ominous. But if you're really worried about it, jog instead of running and try to keep your heart rate at a moderate level.

The rule of thumb is if you can't carry on a conversation while you're jogging, you're going too fast.  No need to push yourself - many studies have shown that pushing oneself too hard while exercising does more harm than good.

[Vasallus]

Thank you all so much for the inspirational and helpful comments! It really means a lot to me. I used to be incredibly active and healthy. I played football, soccer, did martial arts, and was a health machine! I have to keep telling myself my heart is a powerful muscle and that I need to have more confidence in it.

Luckily my job offers a free nutrition and fitness assessment. I am definitely going to take advantage of those just to see where I am at now, then start from there. Thanks again. I know I can do this !:)