Has anyone experienced an underlying heart condition that caused sleep problems (UARS + TMJ) in a young body?
Note: I've been meaning to see a cardiologist, but my PCP is a gatekeeper who's been putting me off (Kaiser HMO plan and I'm 19m -- me being "so young for heart attack" is why she's not giving me a referral).
Context: 19m, 6'2, 180lbs. I've been having sleep problems for 8+ months now, and while I thought the core problems were anatomical, I'm starting to think there's a heart piece related too.
History: My maternal grandpa had multiple heart attacks + pacemaker, and paternal grandpa had stroke.
For at least a year, I've had symptoms of UARS + TMJ (insomnia, chronic fatigue, jaw scrapes, cold hands and feet, etc.).
However, one thing that doctors are surprised by as I'm doing consultations for surgery (MARPE / FME / MMA) is the heart symptoms I'm having.
These include heart palpitations, nausea, sudden tightness in chest, and shortness of breath.
I'm looking for some perspective on this.
- Has anyone here experienced similar symptoms that were initially brushed off due to age?
- What did it end up being?
Posted Jun 11, 2026, 2:36 AM UTC