OpenHealth Q&A

Anxieties About Moving Amid Cardiac Concerns

I'm a 20-year-old who has been dealing with constant mild symptoms that are somewhat vague for nearly five months. Coupled with my background of severe anxiety, I often experience a range of symptoms without warning. What truly frightens me is that I consistently feel a little unwell whenever I engage in any physical activities. Whenever I stand or move around, I tend to feel at least slightly lightheaded or dizzy. Generally, it feels more like my body is weak and light rather than on the verge of fainting. I should note that the only times I've experienced true presyncope involved getting my blood drawn or, once as a child, during a gym class in hot weather. In addition to that, I frequently notice odd symptoms. Sometimes, these are chest-related, like mild tightness—usually on the left side—feelings of fullness, or even slight soreness. Other times, I encounter more random sensations, such as pressure in my ears or head, distorted vision (though I don’t have blurred vision or loss of sight, leading me to believe dissociation might be influencing this), or a sensation that my breathing feels tight, even though I’m not gasping for air—just discomfort. I’ve considered the possibility of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), as my heart rate sometimes spikes significantly—over 40 beats per minute—just from standing up, although there are days when this doesn’t occur. Symptoms vary day-to-day but tend to be milder during the evenings. I recognize that I have become deconditioned, but despite not being very active even before my symptoms worsened, I had managed some exercise. A few weeks ago, I attempted a ten-minute workout designed for seniors, but it left me extremely sore and raised my heart rate to 190 bpm. Nowadays, my physical activity mainly consists of walking around my home and yard for a few minutes a few times daily, very light yoga, meal preparation, and basic hygiene routines. As someone who is also recovering from agoraphobia, my outings have been limited to scheduled exposures. Tomorrow, I'm scheduled to move, and I can’t shake the fear that the stress of the process will land me in the hospital. A couple of weeks ago, I started doing light packing for about 30 to 60 minutes a day, but I always felt fatigued enough to stop well before finishing and often experienced the aforementioned chest discomfort. For instance, on one occasion, I had fleeting chest pains along with the typical tightness, whereas on another day, I noticed dull aching in the left side of my chest. Nearly every time I experience chest discomfort, it sends me into a panic. Additionally, I frequently feel some form of air hunger or labored breathing, although my oxygen saturation levels are consistently normal. This leads me to wonder if my struggles with breath are simply perceived. Although the tightness does vary, it's generally not severe or unbearable—merely a troubling annoyance that sparks concern due to its location. I suspect my anxiety about packing has exacerbated my symptoms in recent months. Now that the majority of packing is done, I feel like I’m in a peaceful phase before a chaotic transition. While I’ve been moving less, the chest tightness appears to be more constant, sometimes reflecting as a dull pressure or tension. My fatigue and feelings of dissociation have notably intensified. Occasionally, the discomfort is triggered by movement, but it also appears without warning. There were days where a tight fullness gripped my left chest for an hour or two before fading away. Over the last few months, I have had "flare-ups" of both chest discomfort and fatigue that seem to worsen for periods before subsiding, though other symptoms may arise. Each day, I grow increasingly aware of how even the simplest tasks feel daunting due to these troubling sensations. Just yesterday, even taking out the trash or playing the piano triggered symptoms. In recent days, my chest discomfort has lingered for most of the day. I am in the process of selecting a new primary care physician, as my previous one has closed their practice, but it will likely be weeks before I can secure an appointment—definitely not in time for the move. Recently, I had a telehealth consultation and blood tests, which failed to provide me with any solid reassurance, the results showing only minor abnormalities. Hence, I remain uncertain whether my issues are indeed related to my heart, a concern that has persisted for some time. Two years ago, I underwent both an EKG and a Holter monitor, which returned normal results; however, I believe those tests may not have ruled out all potential issues, so I plan to request a referral for another cardiologist once I establish care with a new PCP. I’m unsure how to proceed. I do not want to feel completely helpless on moving day, but even if this is just a result of my anxiety, I know I will struggle to assist while worrying about my well-being. I have also been contemplating a visit to urgent care prior to the move; however, I'm uncertain what they would do beyond an EKG and possibly more blood tests, and many concerns still wouldn't be addressed. I definitely want to avoid an emergency room visit on moving day. If the move were not looming, I would likely opt to wait for a PCP appointment, but I'm feeling desperate to make it through the day in one piece.

Answers (1)

8/2/2025, 6:10:58 AM

OpenHealth AI

It's understandable to feel anxious about moving, especially with the symptoms you've described. Your concerns about lightheadedness, chest discomfort, and overall fatigue could be driven both by your physical state and anxiety. While it's crucial to address your underlying symptoms, focusing on practical steps to manage your situation on moving day is important.

Main Points:

1. Your symptoms may have both physical and anxiety-related components.
2. Planning for the move can help alleviate some anxiety.
3. Prioritize light activity and self-care to ease physical discomfort.

Explanation:

The symptoms you’re experiencing, such as lightheadedness when standing, mild chest tightness, and a heightened heart rate with exertion, can be interconnected and influenced by anxiety and possible deconditioning. It's great that you recognize the impact of anxiety on your physical sensations — this awareness can be a tool in managing them. Your experiences of dizziness and lightheadedness, especially when engaging in physical activities, could indicate a condition like POTS, but lifestyle and anxiety management will be essential as you prepare for your move.

Next Steps:

1. Prioritize Self-Care:

   • Stay hydrated and eat something light before engaging in any activity, as low blood sugar can increase fatigue and discomfort.
   • Plan to take breaks during the moving process. Pace yourself and avoid lifting anything too heavy or engaging in strenuous activities.

2. Practice Breathing Techniques:

   • When you feel anxious or experience sensations of discomfort, practice deep breathing: inhale slowly through your nose for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, then exhale through your mouth for 4 seconds. This can help calm both your mind and your body. Repeat this several times, especially if you start feeling overwhelmed.

3. Communicate Your Needs:

   • If possible, share your concerns with friends or family helping on moving day. Let them know you may need to take breaks or step away for a moment if you feel overwhelmed or fatigued.

4. Avoid Overexertion:

   • If you feel unwell when moving, stop and rest until your symptoms improve. Don't hesitate to sit down or change your activity level based on how you're feeling.

5. Post-Move Plan:

   • Once settled, prioritize finding a new primary care physician. Discuss your history and any ongoing concerns, including possibly revisiting testing for heart-related issues if symptoms persist.

If symptoms significantly worsen or you experience severe discomfort, consider visiting urgent care for reassurance. Remember that listening to your body is vital, and you may need to prioritize your well-being during this transition. Take care and approach the move with patience for yourself.