Hi Tonia:

It is interesting to know that the number one reason that people present at the ER is because of tightness about the chest, trouble breathing and chest pains, but according to my friends who are ER doctors, the diagnosis is more often panic attack than heart attack. That being said, we are seeing more of those visits in the emergency room than ever, and it is because of increased stress with which we are all living.

It is also interesting to understand that nearly everyone will experience at least one panic attack in their lifetime.

I am not a cardiologist, but have heard so many of my patients say that they went to the hospital with similar symptoms. They usually have a racing heart, that is tachycardia, rather than bradycardia (which is a slowing of the pulse) and are often given something like Ativan, which (hopefully) makes the symptoms go away. The sensation of bradycardia you experienced may not be that, but just a return to normal, but it may feel below baseline because of the racing sensation you had just experienced. 

How much stress are you under? Remember that both good stress (weddings, competitions, buying a house) and bad stress (divorce, exam time at school, an illness) are stress and take a toll on your mind and body.

Just because you are having alot of great stressors doesn't mean that you can't be dealing with too much!

You mentioned that you had problems with your thyroid when you were pregnant; has that resolved, and are you sure that you are on the right dose of your medicine?

If your physician has determined that you are physically ok, then you should probably find a therapist you can talk with to sort things out.

In the meantime, read the Sharepost written by Dr. Fee about panic attacks.

The other thing you can do, is get a good CD on mastering your stress at our website: The Stress Masters.

Hope this helps!

Dr. Diana Walcutt