Being one of the "worried well" might actually increase heart-disease risk, a study has suggested.Norwegian researchers looked at health anxiety levels in 7,000 people who were followed for at least a decade.
The BMJ Open paper suggests that, while general anxiety is already recognized as a risk, health anxiety might also be an issue.
Heart experts said anyone who felt they were experiencing 'health anxiety' should speak to their doctor.
Health anxiety describes when people have a "persistent preoccupation" with having or acquiring a serious illness, and seeking prompt medical advice, without any symptoms of an actual disease.
Some people have these symptoms during a heart attack. They may even vomit, Chambers says.
Women are more likely to report this type of symptom than men are.
Of course, you can have an upset stomach for many reasons that have nothing to do with your heart. It could just be something you ate, after all. But you need to be aware that it can also happen during a heart attack.
So if you feel this way and you’re at risk for heart problems, let a doctor find out what’s going on, especially if you also have any of the other symptoms on this list.