20 M 150 pounds. 

I’m a bit of a hypochondriac. Constantly worrying about my breathing/heart. I’ve made strides to become more healthy, lost 55 pounds in 8 months. I made a doctors appointment to kind of prove that I was healthy. The nurse took my vitals and perfectly normal blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels. But then I asked for an EKG just to be sure. 

The nurse messed up on the wiring several times during the test and had to reposition them and then told me I had to go see a cardiologist because I had a variable heart rate. I was kind of internally freaking out at this point. The doctor decides to do a second EKG (also messing up the wiring a couple times and me being mentally anxious as well) and says that my variable heart rate was an error, but that I have a possible left atrial enlargement. They weren’t even positive it was real because my blood pressure was healthy, and didn’t think much of it because otherwise if they were really worried they would’ve checked me in. but they still want me to pay $500 for an ultrasound, just to be sure.

But my anxious mind can’t stop thinking that I went from worrying about a heart attack, to worrying about having potential heart failure. When I got my vitals that relieved a ton of stress and worry, until I asked for an EKG. They didn’t even see the need to have one done, but I asked and now I’m stressed from possible human error. And now I have more questions and fears than answers. 

They also wanted to do blood tests to make sure my weight loss was normal, which freaks me out too because now instead of me trying hard to make healthy habits, my mind thinks that I lost all that weight because I have a serious disease or because my heart is failing. I just can’t win.

I’m 20, normal weight, normal vitals, no family history of heart problems, never experienced palpitations or any heart problem besides some anxiety attacks. And yet I think my hearts failing. It’s ridiculous.

Anyone else have an similar experience or words of encouragement? Anything would help.