I hope this is the right topic for this. So lately I noticed I have been having this weird pain. First it starts as sort of like heartburn, but not really. It is a tightness I guess. Like someone is squeezing me. I feel this pain in my arms, shoulders lower back and lower abdomen, and sort of in my chest. I googled this and a lot of what pops up is heart attack. Im 22. And am stressed a lot lately, in fact I'm 3 months late for a period, which I think is from stress. I stress about the well being of my step son, my house just got broken into, and I stress about money and my husbands job. The first time I had this though was like maybe two years ago. Sometimes happen when I start drinking. I don't drink a lot. Maybe 3 times a month if that. Not all the times I have this pain when I drink but 2 days ago I had it. Could this be heartburn? I don't think it is. Could it be caused from stress?? or worse heart attack?

Within the last two years I think this happened like 10 times.

You will have to be evaluated by a doctor to determine the cause of your pain. A Triponin test would rule out a heart attack.

Stress frequently mimics heart attack symptoms, but I am in no position to diagnose you over the internet.

Please see your health care provider ASAP.

Female cardiac symptoms are traditionally a little more difficult to detect as opposed to male symptoms. A Troponin test is not a definitive test. Many patients having a heart attack can have a negative troponin, and likewise many patients with other health problems can have a positive troponin. This is why we also use CK, CKMB, and Myoglobin lab tests. In addition to these, we need to look at an EKG and get a history from patients just to start. People in their 20's do have heart disease, although it isn't quite as common as older people. A panic attack which can be triggered by stress, can have symptoms of a heart attack. Many patients have these at unusual times such as during sleep or while relaxing watching a funny show on TV. You definitely need to follow up with your physician to rule out any cardiac issues.