r/medical_advice

by linhhhh

Summary:

My heart races and sometimes stops functioning and I feel dizzy whenever I'm around a friend. Is this a heart condition?!

posted by u/miyagilittlegiant • 5 hours ago

Notes:

I was inspired by this fic: r/Advice which was honestly so adorable!!! Thank you for writing this piece. Much love!

Chapter 1

r/medical_advice • 5 hours ago
u/miyagilittlegiant

I (M17) have been experiencing some strange symptoms lately and I'm a bit worried. I’m a high school student, and I play A LOTTT of volleyball. It’s everything I want to do for the rest of my life. I think I’m a pretty healthy person. I've never had any major health issues before, but something's been happening over the past few months (close to a year) that's got me concerned.

Whenever I'm around this friend of mine (let's call him K), my heart starts racing like crazy. I can literally hear it pounding in my chest. My chest gets tight, and I have trouble catching my breath. On top of that, my hands start trembling, and I get this weird feeling in my stomach.

For a bit more context, here’s how it all started:

I first met K when my volleyball team and his volleyball team were having a practice match against each other. We were from different cities. I think he was lost, but he didn't look panic at all. He was just casually sitting near a neighborhood fence, playing video games. I was also getting lost during a run with my team, so I decided to get to know him! When I first talked to him, he didn't even pay attention to me at all!! But when I saw a pair of volleyball shoes in his bag, I was over the moon and started getting REALLY EXCITED because apparently, we have the same hobby! It was at that point, he looked up at me from the fence, and WOW, his eyes were just, SO PRETTY. He has these golden rings inside his eyes that feel like they have the power to draw me in?? I think my heart started beating abnormally fast there. Oh, then I figured out he was a second-year, so one year older than me! But he was very soft-spoken and patient with me… he didn't care that I was addressing him impolitely before. He was so kind. He shared that he was a setter, and I also mentioned to him that I was a middle blocker. I was kind of nervous revealing that, though, because, in recent matches, soooo many people doubted that I could play the position due to my height. But he only shrugged and said that he also received similar comments playing the most talented position while being an unathletic person, so people can say whatever they want. That was SO COOL! I swear my heart skipped a beat there. I wonder why, though.

Oh and then our first match against each other, I was so amazed by him. He seemed like a quiet person, but so scarily smart. Everything seemed to go according to his plans. He did not look like he was playing a sport at all, like, there were no breathless, sweating, desperate-for-win feelings. He was just very calm and calculated and quietly observing people. More like when he was just playing video games. And that was a little bit frustrating to me. I want him to be as frustrated as I was! I want him to have fun playing with me! I said those exact words to him after the game (we lost, by the way), and he said he was looking forward to it. Which made my heartbeat quickened, again. Weird.

We exchanged numbers from that match, and started texting quite regularly. I felt like sharing my day with him, sending him photos of cats that I met on the way (because he reminded me of one, you know, the seemingly lazy, harmless creatures that were actually dangerous and scary), meals I had, stupid things my friends said and done, my strong feelings about math and basically every other subjects. I looked forward to his responses, and actually, initially, I thought he wouldn’t answer at all, but it turned out he replied to me so quickly I almost worried that he never slept. By the way, we were on a first-name basis. I was so thrilled the first time he texted ‘Good night, Shoyo’ that I couldn’t sleep a wink that night.

A few months later, I was SO EXCITED that we finally got to see each other again at his team’s camp! A whole week with him! Buuuut then I couldn’t come in the first half of the first day, because I had to retake my exams… which was embarrassing. I knew that he was very smart, he probably ranked in the top ten in his cohort or something. I tried my best not to look like a stupid person beside him, but he assured me and said that everyone had their own strength, and that he could never play five sets straight like me. Something about the factual, neutral tone he possessed really gave me lots of courage. I felt warm all over, but it was probably just a summer fever.

When I finally got to the camp, my teammate told me that he had been asking about me! Did that mean he was excited to see me as well?! I kinda wished I could read his mind. Moving on, his team was going against a really strong team with a SUPER DUPER GOOD ace, and K was so impressive when formulating game plans that made his team play so well despite not having an outstandingly strong member. After tiring our asses off in practice matches, all teams went for dinner and I found out that he had such a small appetite. He wouldn’t eat more than one bowl of rice while I was having like, three trays of full rice. I was seriously considering eating less because I sat with him and didn't want him to have to wait for me to finish my enormous meal, but he just chuckled saying that he enjoyed seeing me eating. To which I choked on the rice. I probably looked like a tomato at that.

Even though the camp was heavenly to me (because I got to see him more), my symptoms also worsened.

Just sitting next to him made my heart beat like I had just run ten laps. There were moments where he'd lean in to show me something on his phone or game console, and I could feel the heat radiating from his skin, and I swear I stopped breathing every single time. One time, he casually brushed a strand of hair away from my forehead while we were sitting on the bus back to the training hall, and I nearly passed out. Seriously, is it normal for your vision to go black when someone touches your hair?

Then there were his compliments. He's not one to throw around praise lightly, but when he does, it's like a bomb going off in my chest. During one of our practice matches, I made a particularly difficult save, and he called out, ‘That was good, Shoyo.’ Simple words, right? But I could feel my face turning red, my heart thudding loudly in my ears. It was like my entire body was reacting to his voice alone.

The worst part was the nights. We'd often stay up late, talking about everything and nothing. His voice was soothing, and sometimes, he'd share little personal stories that made me feel incredibly special, like I was the only one he trusted with these stories. One night, as we were lying on the grass outside the dorms, he pointed out constellations to me. His hand accidentally brushed mine, and I thought my heart was going to explode. The stars above seemed to spin and blur as I fought to keep my breathing steady. I was torn between wanting to sleep beside him in his team’s room and going back to my team’s because, on the one hand, I really wanted to spend time with him and on the other hand, I was positive that I could get a serious heart attack if I did so.

Sometimes, out of nowhere, he would ruffle my hair. He did it so much that I was kind of getting used to it already, but the first few times, I thought my heart was going to stop beating when he placed his hands on my head. I could feel the warmth of his touch and the weight of his fingers, and on top of that, he had this nice, soft smile that was directed at me only. I kind of felt like before going into a particularly important match, but this was not volleyball-related, so I wondered why.

Anyway, during the months after the camp, I visited him once. It was a normal day, as usual, but that morning, an upperclassman and childhood friend of him, also his team’s captain, sent me a photo of him feeding stray cats on their way to school. I immediately saved the image and set it as my home screen, because… well, the cats were cute. Everyone loved cats, right?? That’s the only correct thing to do. And then as the day went on, I found myself flipping my phone open all the times, to look at the home screen. I wanted to see him. It was a MASSIVE urge. So yeah. After practice, I told my captain that I wanted to go to Tokyo, because it was a Friday, so I would probably have time off the next day. My captain looked vaguely worried about me for a few seconds then he proceeded to say that as long as I kept him updated. Sometimes, I felt like he was my father. He had a strict, authoritative vibe but was still very caring (read: dotting). So then it took around two hours from Miyagi to Tokyo, and by the time I got there, I had no idea what to do next. Obviously, I was thrilled to meet him, but I was also SUPER worried that he might not want to meet me. Or I would trouble or bother him. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, after all. I was hyping myself up outside of his school, when his soft voice calling my name spook me. When I turned around, all I could think of was, he looked cool in his school uniform, which was a Western suit-and-tie kind of situation. He probably would look breathtaking in a more fitted, tailored, dark-colorred suit, not that I had imagined that many times. Anyway I couldn't help but stumble out that I missed him and wanted to see him, to which he ruffled my hair (again!) and told me that he missed me too. I kind of wanted to cry a bit there. We had a pretty productive weekend, playing video games, going out eating ice cream, and practicing volleyball (of course!). I thought I would like that routine to continue for the rest of my life, but the train ticket to Tokyo was kind of expensive, so I started thinking about having part-time jobs to afford that eventually.

And then, a few months later, during our match in the national league, things reached a whole new level. I overheard him admitting that he became more interested in the game as he saw something amazing take place before him (ME!!!). It was a difficult game, he was constantly realizing what me and my teammates were trying to do and quickly devised a plan to outdo us. At the end of the second set, he really got me good. I was not able to score any more than what I had been able to in the first set, I kept getting blocked, I couldn't get a proper running approach, and that frustrated me to no end. He started looking at other members of my team, trying to figure out how to defeat them one by one, and I thought I was going MAD because he was not paying attention to me at all. I felt like I was not as remotely interesting for him to keep an eye on me anymore… The thought was devastating. But it didn't linger for long - I had promised him to get him excited about volleyball, then I would do anything in my power to make it come true!

So I got back on my feet and thought of my next moves. I attempted a few new tricks that I had gained during the practices, like new, higher jumps, block-outs, and a feint shot over the block. I got his attention back!!! He seemed to see what I was going for and tried to get to the feint but was only able to graze the ball before it landed out. It was at that moment, that he finally admitted that he was having FUN playing volleyball. Wasn’t that great??? I felt like I got into the national final already!!! I LOVE the feeling of being worthy of his attention, his time, and his efforts. The game went on eventually, and we won that battle (can you believe it?), but I felt like I had won since the moment he said that he had fun.

After nationals, we got closer. It was his turn to go over to Miyagi to visit me multiple times, and he also said that he could pay for the train tickets if I wanted to come to Tokyo with him. He also revealed that he was making money by trading (or investing, or whatever the correct term is) stocks, being a pro-e-sports gamer, and was in the process of setting up his own investment business. I mean, how cool was that??? And he was telling me in a pretty nonchalant tone as well, like it was a normal thing for high schoolers to do?! He also told me that now that he had (lots of) money to spare, he could buy me anything I wanted, and finance me to do whatever I strived for. I had to physically stop myself by pinching my thigh from saying that what I had always wondered about was if I could sit on his lap. Because, you know, he always wears a hoodie and sweatpants. It looked cosy and comfortable and safe. The thought only made my heart kind of stop for a few seconds. Uhhhhhh NOT that I'm ever gonna say it. Just. A normal thought. Is all.

But yeah, I can't shake this feeling that something's really wrong with me. It's like my body is betraying me every time I'm around him. I don't know if this is some weird heart condition or if I'm just imagining things, but it's seriously affecting my life. Like for some moments, it beat like a crow flapping its wings in the storm, and for some other moments, it just stopped functioning! Please, if anyone has any idea what's going on, I could really use some advice!!!

TL;DR: My heart races and sometimes stops functioning and I feel dizzy whenever I'm around a friend. Is this a heart condition?!

274 comments 

notgettingpaidenoughvolleyballcoach • 15m

Kid, it sounds like you're experiencing some serious heart palpitations caused by something other than a physical ailment. Maybe you should talk to K and see where things go. And what are you doing writing a post at 2 AM?! Go to sleep.

miyagilittlegiant [OP] • 5m

Okay I’ll sleep now!!! 

rollingthunder • 45m

Dude, are you kidding me right now? This is not a medical condition! You're in LOVE, OP! And K sounds like the perfect guy for you. You should tell him how you feel!

miyagilittlegiant [OP] • 30m

WHAAAAT?? Is it what this is???

rollingthunder • 25m

Yep my dude. 100%. Speaking from personal experience.

miyagilittlegiant [OP] • 15m

WOW

glassesdinosaur • 1h

Wow, Hinata, you're dense. All those symptoms? It's pretty obvious you're into this guy. 

miyagilittlegiant [OP] • 30m

Why are you being mean? Wait, how do you even know my name?!

bedhaircat • 3h

Kenma? This sounds like Kenma. Chibi-chan, just tell him how you feel. He’s gonna kill me for saying this, but he's not as oblivious as he seems!

miyagilittlegiant [OP] • 25m

How do you know his name?!!! 

miyagilittlegiant [OP] • 20m

Wait, did you mean he may have heart issues for me as well?

bedhaircat • 15m

Yepppp, chibi-chan. I mean who goes around ruffling a dude’s head and announcing that he could be sugar daddy material for the said dude? Totally not-straight behaviour. And stop referring to having romantic feelings as heart issues!

grandking • 3h

As much as I enjoy reading this... I'm gonna say it straight up: You're in love. Now go tell him before I die from second-hand embarrassment.

miyagilittlegiant [OP] • 25m

Why would you die? Don’t die… 

miyagilittlegiant [OP] • 25m

Why does everyone know that I’m in love with him except for me?! 

kageyamatobio • 15m

Because you’re a dumbass.  

grandking • 10m

Ewww nooooo get out of my comment Tobio-chan!!!

donotcallmedadchi • 5h

Hey. I've seen you work hard on and off the court, and it's clear how much you care about this friend of yours. From what you're describing, it sounds like you're in love. My advice is to talk to him. Being honest about your feelings might be scary, but it's the best way to find out how he feels, too. You've got the courage for anything, so I know you can do this too.

miyagilittlegiant [OP] • 20m

Why do I feel like you are my father… Are you? 

yourfriendlyneightbourhoodvet • 6h

Hey OP, from my professional perspective (as someone who is studying medicine to become a vet, not a doctor), those symptoms are classic signs of being smitten. Your heart isn't malfunctioning; it's just reacting to your emotions. Why not have a heart-to-heart with K and see what happens?

miyagilittlegiant [OP] • 25m

Thank you! We always meet up on weekends, so I’ll go and say it this weekend for sure!! 

miyagilittlegiant [OP] • 15m

On second thought, I’m terrified. I feel like throwing up. What if he hates me??? 

rollingthunder • 15m

He won't hate you!!! You've got this! Think about it this way: you’d rather know than spend forever wondering.

notgettingpaidenoughvolleyballcoach • 10m

Take deep breaths, kid. You care about him, and he deserves to know. No matter what happens, you'll be okay. From what I've read and witnessed, your friendship is worth much more than the fear of rejection. By the way, if it really is a rejection, I will deal with him.

bedhaircat • 8m

Heyyyyy stop with the threat you old man!

bedhaircat • 4m

And Chibi-chan? I have a feeling he might be waiting for you to say something.

Chapter 2

r/medical_advice • 1 day ago
u/miyagilittlegiant

UPDATE: I have a BOYFRIEND now!!!

So, after my last post, something unexpected happened. I intended to go to Tokyo that weekend because that was our usual routine. I had it all planned out – what I was going to say, what I was going to wear, where I was going to take him, everything. I even packed a little earlier than usual because I was so nervous.

However, K beat me to it. He showed up at my school the very next day.

I was just getting out of practice, sweating buckets and trying to distract myself, honestly terrified of how things would go this weekend. As I reached the school gate, a familiar, soft voice called my name. I turned around and there he was, K, in his school uniform. Have I mentioned how handsome he looked in it? Because he was VERY handsome, especially now that I understood the flustering feelings I got around him.

My heart skipped a beat as I took in the sight of him. His golden eyes seemed to shine even brighter in the afternoon sun, and his gaze, calm and steady, made my knees weak. He had this soft smile playing on his lips, the kind that always made me feel like I was the only one who mattered. My heart fluttered again, and it was difficult for me to stutter out a question of why he was at my school at this hour. It was a weekday.

He said he missed me. Just straight up, no preamble. My brain short-circuited, for real, no kidding! My teammates were all staring, whispering amongst themselves, probably wondering why I was turning as orange as our team’s uniforms.

Before I could even process it, he walked over, ruffled my hair (AGAIN!), and asked if he could walk me back home. My heart was going a million miles an hour, but I managed to nod and follow him, after waving my teammates goodbye. My captain gave me an approving look, all of the upperclassmen cheered for me (for what, I didn’t even know), and my friends just stared at me and him without blinking. That was weird. And embarrassing. Why did I feel they all knew about my post?!

Anyway, we ended up passing by this quiet park near my school. I was so nervous I couldn’t stop fidgeting, and I think he noticed because he just chuckled softly, which didn’t help my situation at all.

Then he did the most K thing ever. He pulled out his phone and started playing a game, right there, sitting next to me on the bench. For a moment, I was so confused. But then he started talking.

He told me how much he enjoyed our time together, how much he looked forward to our messages, and how he had been feeling strange around me too. He described the same symptoms I had – the racing heart, the butterflies, the dizziness. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

When he finally put his phone down and looked at me, I blurted out, “Are you in love with me?!”

He laughed. He rarely laughed. I was terrified, thinking I had misread everything, screwed things up, and that he found the thought of being in love with me so ridiculous it was funny to him. The thought must have shown on my face as the laugh died down, and before I could manage to say that I was just kidding, he looked me dead in the eyes and continued.

“Yeah, Shoyo,” he said. “I am.”

For a moment, I was too stunned to speak. My mind raced, replaying his words over and over again. K, in love with me? It felt like a dream, one of those too-good-to-be-true moments that I was terrified would end if I blinked too hard.

I actually tested if I was in a dream by pinching my thigh. It hurt. K noticed and frowned.

“What did you just do?”

“Uhhhh,” I stammered, trying to find the right words, “Testing if I’m dreaming or not?”

“You dream about me often?”

My face turned a deep shade of red, and I fumbled for a response. “Uh, maybe? I-I mean, yeah. Sometimes. Like. Twice a week? Maybe three.”

K’s serious expression softened, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Don’t hurt yourself, Shoyo. Of course this is real. You really thought I’d be willingly spending time, doing extra practices, traveling back and forth for more than two hours, and getting physically close with someone I don't have feelings for? You overestimated me.”

I nodded, feeling a mixture of relief and overwhelming joy. “So... are we boyfriends?”

K’s smile returned, gentle and reassuring. He reached out, taking my hand in his. The warmth of his touch was both soothing and electrifying. “Well,” he began, his voice steady and calm, “I’m ready to be whatever you want us to be.”

We sat there in the park, hands intertwined. K told me about his plans for his investment business, and we talked about volleyball and my dreams of playing at higher levels. I really wanted to go pro. K said that he would finance me unconditionally if I wanted to train overseas or play for international leagues. I was both touched and terrified by his nonchalant offer, worrying about the impact on his wealth. But he just shrugged and told me that he had money to spare. I was speechless.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the park, we stood up, still holding hands. "So," I said, feeling a surge of boldness, "does this mean we can go on dates? I really, really want to spend more time with you."

K smiled, his golden eyes sparkling. "I'd like that, Shoyo. A lot." I felt like I was the prey pinned down by a hungry cat. “I can actually visit you every day after school if you want me to.”

“What?! No!! You have your own practices, and you’re one year older than me. You must be busy with national exams coming up next year and everything!”

He chuckled softly. “I’ll figure out a way, then.” His words were reassuring, and his grip on my hand was firm, grounding me in the moment.

We walked back to my house, and I felt like everything around me was brightening up, even though it was actually getting darker by the hour. We chatted about silly little things (mostly me rambling on and him nodding or smiling at me). I really wanted the moment to last forever.

When we reached my front door, K turned to me, his expression serious yet tender. The world seemed to quiet down around us. He leaned in, and for a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me. Instead, he ruffled my hair one last time, his touch lingering just a bit longer than usual. "Good night, Shoyo."

A sudden urge came over me, and before I could stop myself, I blurted out, “Uhm… a-actually,” I stammered. “CanIhaveagoodnightkissplease?!”

K’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, then softened. He leaned in closer, and my heart raced. His lips brushed mine gently, and for a moment, everything else faded away. The sensation was soft and warm, sending shivers down my spine. His hand cupped the side of my face, his thumb gently caressing my cheek as he pulled back. His smile was warmer than ever, his eyes glowing with affection.

“Good night, baby,” he whispered, his voice tender and intimate.

“Good night, Kenma,” I squirmed under his gaze and that embarrassing nickname. He chuckled softly at my expression, then walked away, heading to the station.

I stood there for a moment, letting the reality of the situation sink in. I had a boyfriend now. OH MY GOSHHHH!!!

Thank you all for your support and advice! I can imagine that my “heart disease symptoms” will probably go on for like months or even YEARS if I didn't post this silly post and receive your honest thoughts… It would be a real tragedy. 

274 comments 

rollingthunder • 16m
I KNEW IT!!! I’m so proud of you, Shoyo!

miyagilittlegiant [OP] • 14m
I’m proud of myself as well! Thank you for the encouragement. 

grandking • 25m

Well, I have second-hand embarrassment from reading this still. Your inside thoughts sure are wild.

suga • 20m

His inside thoughts are totally normal! As normal as high schoolers’ thoughts can be, that is.

miyagilittlegiant [OP] • 9m

Uhhhh thank you?

yourfriendlyneighbourhoodvet • 10m

Hey OP, I’m so happy for you. See, your heart wasn’t malfunctioning; it was just reacting to love. Oh, Kourai was also following this post and he wished you all the best.

miyagilittlegiant [OP] • 7m

Wait, Kourai-san?!

kageyamatobio • 12m

I can't believe you figured it out, dumbass. But congrats, I guess. Don’t let this distract you from practice!

miyagilittlegiant [OP] • 9m

Of course I won't, Bakageyama!

bedhaircat • 18m
Thank heavens this happened. I was kind of tired of listening to Kenma’s nonstop pining rambles about how your smiles brighten up the skies or whatever it was…

kodzuken • 17m
Stop exposing me Kuroo or else.

miyagilittlegiant [OP] • 17m
Wait?! So you’re Kuroo-san?!?

notgettingpaidenoughvolleyballcoach • 19m
Glad it worked out, kid. Now go to sleep. And remember to stay hydrated.

theglassesteacher • 15m
Ukai-kun, you are such a softie.

donotcallmedadchi • 20m
I knew you could do it, Hinata. You’ve always been a brave person. Now make sure to support each other and enjoy this new chapter together, okay?

suga • 12m
Daichi, why do you act even more like his father than Coach Ukai?

donotcallmedadchi • 10m
What I did not!

glassesdinosaur • 8m
Uh you totally did, dadchi.

miyagilittlegiant [OP] • 5m
Wait so you’re Daichi-san?!

Notes:

phew and that's a wrap! i like how it turned out in the end :)