Health ocd obsessed over heart/lung related issues

Hey, I feel the same way with that pain in the center of the chest, and tight feelings of not being able to breathe. Anxiety is so strong and powerful sometimes, but I’ve found some ways to soothe that feeling. Sometimes putting pressure near the heart and just massaging around that area until you find a pressure point that calms you, breathing from the diaphragm instead of chest, tapping my foot, even curling up into a ball lol.

One of the things about OCD is that its a disease of certainty. I want to say this not to trigger you, but the point of ERP therapy is embracing the uncertainty. I used to worry about my heart like this, and followed up with cardiologists and frequented ERs for quite some time. Up until about the age of 32 where they DID find something. Which of course sent me into a spiral. I had to get specific testing done because the doctor wanted to make sure I wasn't going to have a heart attack. So even when this happened, I felt constant chest pains, ran to ERs even more. Eventually the special tests came back but I just have to follow up more closely. But they told me the risk is still there. So I had to learn how to live with this uncertainty. One thing I've learned, with this risk factor even at a young age, my perception is still off because of my OCD and anxiety. I have to tell myself I have doctors, I schedule and go to my appointments. I worry sometimes still but even then, theres a saying in a group I go to where they say "You can either live your life or sit by your grave". Worrying won't change anything. You've seen professionals and you've been cleared multiple times. You can always schedule follow ups with these doctors yearly and just tell yourself not to worry about it until your annual follow up. This would be a healthy response to your worries as opposed to frequently going to hospitals after being medically cleared. I hope youre able to learn to cope with this soon. I know it's not easy. But take solace in the fact that your tests are normal.

I completely understand what you mean. I too did a 2 week heart monitor last year and have been in and out of the ER and cardiologist for what i thought were heart attacks. It’s almost worse when they tell you there’s nothing wrong with you because you think they must’ve missed something and what you’re feeling in the moment is very real. I don’t have much advice but I just wanted to say I have a very similar experience and you’re not alone! I guess the one thing I can share that tames this anxiety is trying to consistently exercise and refrain from smoking or consuming too much caffeine, basically anything that would make chest sensations and pressures worse.