Young Woman's Heart Condition Initially Dismissed as Anxiety
A 22-year-old woman from Leicestershire is urging young people to trust their instincts after doctors repeatedly dismissed her heart symptoms as anxiety for two years. Abbie Frankum was eventually diagnosed with second-degree type one heart block, a condition that causes an irregular or slow heartbeat.
Symptoms Mistaken for Mental Health Issues
Abbie first noticed symptoms at age 18, experiencing noticeable heartbeats and constant fatigue. "It felt like my heart was constantly beating up against my rib cage really hard," she explained. "When walking or doing normal activities, it felt like I'd run a marathon."
Her confidence plummeted as symptoms prevented her from enjoying previously active pursuits like swimming and gym visits. "I became wary of activities because palpitations made my heart beat fast and I felt faint," Abbie said. "For a time, I was afraid to leave the house alone."
Medical Dismissal Based on Age
When Abbie raised concerns with her GP, she was immediately told it was anxiety. "Doctors would comment about my age, saying 'You're too young for heart problems'," she recalled. "I felt dismissed and frustrated after appointments."
The situation affected her employment as overwhelming tiredness made mornings impossible. "I was calling in sick because I couldn't get out of bed," Abbie said. "That finally prompted me to push for proper investigation."
Diagnosis and Treatment
In September 2024, after wearing a heart monitor for 48 hours, Abbie was diagnosed with second-degree type one heart block. "The monitor showed a heart block mainly occurring at night," she explained. "My heart rate slows at night, making me wake up exhausted."
She now has an implanted cardiac monitoring device about the size of a USB stick that transmits data to specialists. "It flags concerning slow rhythms," Abbie said. "Doctors said if they see pauses over six seconds, they'll intervene."
Current treatment includes medication called Ivabradine to slow her daytime heart rate and manage palpitations. While specialists mentioned a pacemaker as potential treatment, they're avoiding it due to her age.
Message to Young People
Abbie wants her experience to help others facing similar dismissals. "I wanted to share my story so young people feeling unheard feel less alone," she said. "Trust yourself. If something doesn't feel right, keep advocating because you know your body best."
The experience has changed her perspective on life. "It's given me perspective about making the most of every day," Abbie reflected. "Having a diagnosis after years of feeling dismissed is a huge relief."
