"Spasm" feeling in chest, no pain involved. A few questions.

I too am so glad I googled this. Reading your posts has made me feel more relaxed and realize that I'm not alone.

I'm 30 (male) and have been having these spasms, bubbling, girgling, what ever you wanna call it for about 10 years now. I didnt think much of it until a few years ago when I found out I had RBBB. Not that RBBB caused it, but I was more aware of my heart and I guess focused more on "funny" things. This has been more of a curse than a blessing since I tend to over react when something small happens.

I cant remember the last time these spasms happened so frequently. I am relocating to a different state and have added pressure and stress at work due to this. These spasms started happening 3 days ago after my girlfriend and I got into an arguement and happen every 10-20 mins or so lasting about 4-5 secs.

My doctor, in the past, gave me some exercises to help with palpatations that dont seam to work with these spasms. She called them 'Bear downs", where you take a deep breath, not to deep, hold in and push down on it. It feels like it resets the heart during palpatations.

I read in these forums that some are taking Magnesium. I have been reading up on Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms and they seem to fit me. So, I have started taking Mg vitamins to see if it helps these spasms. I have also taken up Yoga to help get rid of all this stress.

Thanks for all your stories, they do help.

Please everyone, stop panicking! Panicking along with 'skipped' heart beats and shortness of breath, spasms, lightheadedness, depressions, anxieties are common symptoms of the condition, me and everyone else here is experiencing. You should read a lot of articles on MVP and a lack of magnesia in your bodies. Here are some useful pages for you:
http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic274.htm
http://www.mgwater.com/prev1808.shtml
I'm kind of glad I've found this site and googled for those 2 pages. Just took a couple of Vitamins and Magnesium pills and going to skip my evening tea with chocolates;)

I have the exact same problem. One of the times I got them pretty frequently and began to panic I was having a heart attack. I became short of breath and felt like I would pass out. When I got to emergency in the hospital, the AKG said I was fine. The doctor told me the shortness of breath and feelings of about to pass out is common in panic attack. Two years after the incident I was told I suffer from anxiety disorder and I began to have less of the spasms when I took medications for the anxiety. I think most of the people having these symptoms may be sufferers of anxiety attacks or stress, as it seems to be linked. The safest thing to always do is see a doctor and ask for medical opinion.

Hiya, like everyone else on here, me too!

I'm 21 and for the last couple of months I have been having these spasms, right in the centre of my chest, below my heart, lasting a few seconds but happening every few minutes.

It's so hard to describe, but it's like something's contracting and then pulses out a couple of times, and takes my breath away when it first sort of contracts or pulls in. And same here, no pain, just discomfort.

Just been to the doctor and after she freaked and said it was my aorta, and then realised no this is lower than my heart; she talked at me like I was stupid, telling me it was palpitations. I've had that and this is definitely not me hearing my heart beat! So I cried and said right, thanks and left. I wasn't about to sit and argue with her any longer than I had.

I'm going to try Magnesium supplements as per some other posts, but like a lot of peeps on here, I get worked up and anxious, so I think it could be anxiety/stress related.

I'm getting to the point where I just don't want to tell anyone cuz they'll think i'm making it up! ARGH!

If anyone has any solid diagnosis please please let us know!

xx

I'm 46yrs old. In the last 5 days, I have felt a quick spasm, smack bang, in the middle of my chest that lasts approx. no more than 2 seconds. I have been getting approx. 3-7 spasms in a day. Feels like a heart flutter, but it's not. Feels like a palpitation, but it's not. Feels like a slight tightening, but it's not. Feels like a pocket of air just under the skin, but it's not. Feels like blood movement heading north trying to squeeze it's way through some blockage, but it's not. Feels like a quick prod with a rod and it's not! Arrrghh!!!!

I don't believe I am stressed. Overall I am in good health and I don't drink alcohol nor smoke. I never drink coke. I do drink coffee (no more than 2 cups on occasion per day). I am not overweight. I am casually active.

I have a blood test result coming and chest x-ray's too. I am booked for an ECG. I'm scared. However, having read that this happens to others too and that they are all still ALIVE!!! I am somewhat relieved.

I will let you know results soon.

Aussiegal from the Capital

Hi everyone
Since my last post on Posted: 10/11/07 - 10:12 *see above* I've had tests and seen a cardiologist.

The overall result for my tests was positive. I am so relieved!!

My heart is normal and is not showing signs of heart disease. The cardiologist said that many things can cause the sensations I have described above. She said that sometimes stress can cause these sensations and also said that it may not be the heart at all, it might be other things causing the sensations. It could come from the stomach, gas, toxic build up or it might just be a slight mechanical secondary lapse which is nothing to be concerned about. Overall, she gave me the all clear and now I can just relax about it. She did say that it might recur in the future and that if it does recur not to get stressed about it. To just relax and let it pass.

No doubt we've all read and learned about what to look out for in the event of a heart attack. If at anytime you are concerned that you are having a heart attack, then please call an ambulance, get help fast. You will definitely know something is wrong when and if it happens.

Take care for now & stress less!

Aussiegal from the Capital

I didn't know what to call it either. Mine started about 6 months ago when I started planning my wedding and I thought it was nerves. The wedding is over and everything is great and I still have them. It's like someone squeezes my chest very quickly and knocks the wind out of me. Then I usually cough or struggle for the next breath.

Yes I have this same feeling. I'm 30 years old now and have been having for the last few years. It comes right form my heart it feels, it kind of takes my breath away, makes my heart beat fast and in general just feels uncomfortable. They seem to be getting longer, but the last few months they have been happening less frequently. It only lasts for a second or two, it used to be shorter then that. I got checked out, ekg and physical exam, and of cores nothing, but I don't really trust doctors to know what’s wrong with you until something really serious happens. It's good to see I'm not the only one though. Makes me feel like it could be something more normal.

Just wanted to let y'all know, I had the same problems with my chest. I've seen doctors many times in the past and each time came up empty handed.

My problems went away recently and it was caused by stress. With relocating and other things going on in my life, its added probably the most stress I've had in my life.

I started doing some breathing exercises and basically started doing things to help me relax, its has help tons. Give it a shot.

Hi everyone. I just wanted to add my 2 cents on this topic.

I have been having many of the same symptoms in the last 3 or 4 days. It feels kind of like a slight spasm in my lower chest, behind/below the sternum. When it happens, I stop breating for a second, then have to catch my breath. My heart will beat hard for a few seconds at the same time. There is no pain, only a slight feeling of breathlessness and discomfort. Sometimes it happens at the end of a breath, sometimes as I'm breathing out.

I am almost totally sure this is related to anxiety. I am going through one of the most stressful times in my life, and had a couple panick attacks a few weeks back. Now I feel less stressed emotionally, but I'm getting these physical symptoms. I am going to the doctor tomorrow, but I doubt its anything but stress that is causing these problems.

Good luck to everyone else. =) And quite stressing, people!

I am reading this as I have googled and re googled looking for answers for a year. I have spasms that feel like someone was wringing out a washrag in my chest lasts only a minute or so then I have sweats like hot flashes which last another minute or so. I do not describe it as pain just scary and frustrating and annoys me. Also wears me out. I have had during the last year every test you can think of - my heart dr ruled out my heart problems and thyroid dr did every blood test could think of - I am now scheduled for scopes the week after Thanksgiving. Dr's suggesting I have esophogial spasms but they can not agree - these wake me out of full sleep and also during day - have tried not eating for several hours before bed and still happens -- if it is anxiety please let someone just say so and get me on the right track - am on a spasm relax med until test and it has helped some but still noticing a few spasms here and there.

I have had what I call a wringing of washrag spasm in chest for over a year -wakes me in middle of night and during day -lasts only a minute followed my sweating and hot flash. Sometimes only once a day - sometimes as many as ten a day. Thus am tired - during last year have had nuc stress test and since have mitr valve that was checked and ruled out as cause. But they put me on Beta blocker because my heart races while at rest. Beta blocker does not change or relieve the spasms. Thyroid dr has done every blood work up possible. All hormones in balance - even had adrenal gland test done. Negative. Now dr. think possibly esophigial spasms and am scheduled for scopes next week. I am frustrated - no one has suggested anxiety though I have asked - I am tired and frustrated. They are not painful and now that I am assured they are not angina or heart attack I am not as frightened as I was at first. They have put me on a anti spasm med for several weeks until scope - the first few days it worked but last couple of days have noticed a couple of minor spasms - and I don't like the drug - leaves me groggy. I did have a severe bleeding ulcer about 5 years ago and am wondering if when healed left strictures. I have also had gall bladder removed and do have some ibs and diverticulitis to deal with - And yes they are worse during stress situations. I have tried not eating for hours before bed makes no difference - and I am over weight. Ok I think I am just venting before the test but thanks it is a comfort to know there are others out there -

I have been having these problems since I was 16 I am now 22, My first spasm sent me into complete panic, I was rushed to hospital to be told I was in V Fibrilation. They used some med to slow it down but it kept raising back up again. When they told me I may need to be zapped with electricity to get my rythem back to normal it all stopped. My heart went from 210 bmp to 80 bpm and after 30 mins all was calm again.
I later went for a check up and an ultra sound on my heart and all was fine. I cant help but think the mind can seriously effect you. I honestly thought I was Dead.
Its been about 6 months since I last had a spasm, I was sat at work the other day just typing away and I had the spasm again. Its so strange, Its like my heart feels like it has contracted but wont open again almost like its blocks and is trying hard to unblock, there is no pain just pressure and then a sudden hard heart beat, the whole feeling lasts a matter of seconds. Then I am left with a panic attack for about 30 mins. Does this sound similar?

I had the same thing going on and my Dr told me to take calcium tabs.
It worked just after a few days. The spasms went away.
I take 3 cal/mag tabs a day now, I even sleep better.
I saw a naturopathic Dr and he said the Calcium relaxes the muscles and
may be masking the true problem.
I have had a bunch of test done with no problems so far.

I have to tell everybody that I'am so releaved there are others out there with this same problem. I'm 30 years old and had my first spasm when I was 23. I can relate to every single person on the forum. I've been to many doctors and nothing has been found. I've been told by doctors it might be SVT, diaphram spasms, reflux, irretable bowel syndrome and the list goes on and on. I just stopped going to the doctors because truthfully I don't think any of them have a clue what is really causing the spasms. My current doctor gave me the best advice......Learn to live with it and try not to stress out so much. My spasms had gradually been getting worse over the past seven years. It doesn't matter if you're standing, sitting, eating, drinking, full stomach, empty stomach these spasms come and go when they please. I did read on the internet that there is an operation to help the spasms, they go in and make a small cut at the bottom of the esaphagus. I would hate to have to go under the knife but if it means no more spasms then I think I would do it. I hope there is somebody out there that might have a cure for what we are dealing with, but until that day I guess I'll just learn to live with it.

I'm glad i found this also...I am 23 and for the past year i have felt this random thumping feeling in my chest that isn't painful. I have been scared because my father has health problems but the doctor saw nothing. I smoke and I sometimes worry too much, but this "thumpping" doesnt happen at any specific time...It's very random...I hope to see more posts on this and I will be sure to keep you posted also