Teenage heart attack possibility??!
Question:
Teenage heart attack possibility??
hi, lately ive been fearing that i will have a heart attack.
and ive been thinking about it way too much now and its getting to me. and beginning to scare me. im 17 years old and honestly used marijuana for almost a year now but ive quit. and i guess i can say i dont eat healthy. and sometimes i feel a weird feeling in my heart. kinda like a beat that i can feel. i dont know how to explain it. but it doesnt hurt at all. last time i felt like it hurt, it felt like a pinch for 2 seconds and thats it i was back to normal. i played football but never took supplements. i also have severe asthma and a family history of heart problems. can anyone help me? im trying to stay calm as possible about it, so if anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated. thanks!!
Answers:
Seventeen is a bit young for heart problems. If you played football, I expect they gave you at least a cursory physical. Heart problems at your age would most likely be something you were born with and that's rare - but it happens.
What your describing sounds like palpitations. Palpitations are the sensation of a rapidly or irregularly beating heart. Palpitations can occur normally when your heart is working hard. For example, you might feel a rapid or irregular heartbeat when you have just exercised, have a fever, or are feeling anxious. At these times your heart may pump faster or increase the amount of blood it pumps with each beat. This is a normal response to lifting weights, walking up a hill, or becoming emotionally excited. Often you may not even notice this increased heart activity.
A very common cause of palpitations is the overuse of stimulants, including caffeine (coffee, tea, sodas), nicotine, diet pills, and medications such as decongestants. Accidental overdose of some medicines can cause palpitations. Examples of such medicines are theophylline, antidepressants, and thyroid hormone replacement.
Maybe your astma medications?
Diet is another possible cause. Your health care provider may suggest that you change your diet and see if the palpitations go away.
Palpitations may feel like your heart is:
Jumping around your chest
Skipping a beat
Fluttering
Pounding
Racing
All this is in the link below. Take a look and relax.
PS. 17 is a good age to start eating right and taking care of yourself particularly if heart problems run in your family.
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.j...