I don't like running because I think I will go into cardiac arrest. I was and avid runner for 2 years pulled 3-6 miles every day. Know I barely manage two. While working through this problem I started realizing that its my fear of dying that leads me believe that.

Let me ask you this while walking to people actually yelled at you PR bother you in any kind of way? Besides the usual stare? there might be more factors on why you have this fear best what is to analyze it and change the way you go about things. For me it has gotten better 5 ekg test and chest scan but still my brain is making me fearful while I run its the what ifs that get me.

It's definately related to people, because once I reach an area where there are no or few people around, the panic begins to subside. It could be related to my past. I spent my childhood through age 12 living in a somewhat rural area, where people lived in single family homes on large lots of more than an acre. Then, at age 12, I was abducted by my mentally ill mother and we lived on the run until I escaped from her at age 17. We lived in shelters for the homeless and government housing projects where it was unsafe to go outside much of the time. We moved a lot. People in the neighborhoods where we lived set dumpsters on fire several times a week, and I think I heard gunshots a few times. It was a big change, going from one type of living to another. I have a huge distrust of people.

Yes, I have been physically and verbally attacked by people belonging to a certain racial group, which I won't go into detail about here. I am not a racist, but I've learned there are people who are best avoided if I don't want to be attacked.

im not afraid to walk but like inpeace said im afraid to run, i use to run and do aerobics when i was younger but now i feel like my heart its gonna stop , thats why i dont do much exercise(of course i gain weight) and if i do its only for no more then 20 minutes and is walking or bike
i dont know where i got this idea from but it happens to me

I used to love swimming and anything that had to do with water in a lake or pool.. now I am afraid that I will drown and I am a good swimmer

just stress from social anxiety, wear a hat and sunglasses

I wish I could walk period this is one of the few agoraphobic fears I have left is being away from safety and that means people who could call help for if I couldn't or being far from my home or my car which is another safety net for me.. YET here the catcher I can go by plane to another city and walk everywhere etc and this doesn't bother me to much than again could be I also use my ativan through out my travels.. So like my I do myself and have suggested to other people write a list on your fear of running into someone your first thought reaction is?? Than keep going to you cover all possible scenarios, thoughts and fears. Than you can see it on paper look at it more objectively and come up with solutions coping skills( Healthy one now ) in how to deal with this fears..
When I say Healthy ones its easy to say well I will just cross the street avoid the situation get easy gratification of relief from anxiety hence reinforcing bad behaviors we can develop from this..

I am speaking from my own experience I waited to long to get help thought people would think I was crazy used avoidence to the max.. everytime I had attack, Well I just wouldn't go the place again or situation hence instant relief well next thing you know could barely leave my bedroom ... but I have a long story I am just saying if I had known than what I know now it would have been easier to overcome a lot of things I had to work so hard at to be able to do again simple things people do everyday and take for granted..
So you have my support and empanthy I know how hard it is you can do it stay in touch let us know how you doing with it or how you plan to overcome this one obstacle at a time.. We are here to encourage give support and understanding. Use of antianxiety when first challenging yourself is ok too.

Wow I just read all these posts and I feel less alone in this world! I have been obsessing about my heart and having heart failure for a couple years. Makes it reslly hard that I'm extremely overweight and I hardly exercise bc I'm scared of my heart beating too fast and ectopics all which happen when I exercise.its tough but I've been telling myself that if I don't lose this weight my heart will be in trouble!! ;-)