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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Anxiety and Palps
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Anxiety and Palps
by Anxious One, Aug 28, 2002 12:00AM
Hi,
Im a 30 yo male, 5 10, 230 lbs. I'm approximately 30-40 lbs overweight. 2 Yrs ago I was diagnosed with having panic attacks and anxiety disorder. I took Zoloft for a few months, but didnt like the side effects. I've been off of it for almost a year, and anxiety/panic attack free. Once in awhile, I would feel a flutter in my chest when doing low-grade exercise (Loading laundry, brushing teeth, etc). I usually dismissed it as no worry, and within a day or two it would go away. When doing high-grade exercise, I'd always feel my heartbeat, but with no abnormal rhythm.
About 5 days ago, I felt my heart skip while on the computer (didnt feel very anxious or worried at the time). I took my pulse to try to feel it, and felt it skip again. Needless to say, it threw me into a panic attack. After I calmed down, i was back to normal. Since then, I've experienced it everyday when i do normal low grade stuff, but when i take a brisk walk, it feels normal (although elevated).
Can you explain what might be happening? Why it happens during low-grade exercise but not more vigirous? Why it skips? Why does anxiety promote or make it worse? Is it at all related to Adrenaline, because the feeling I get is almost identical to the feeling i get when Im scared or suprised...almost like my stomach sinks...I have no other symptoms, not dizzy, not lightheaded...I just feel "off" when it flutters because I get so anxious. I have yearly EKG's, and chest xrays on my job, with nothing remarkable. I have a doc appt this friday should it continue...I've resumed eating right in the interim.
Im a 30 yo male, 5 10, 230 lbs. I'm approximately 30-40 lbs overweight. 2 Yrs ago I was diagnosed with having panic attacks and anxiety disorder. I took Zoloft for a few months, but didnt like the side effects. I've been off of it for almost a year, and anxiety/panic attack free. Once in awhile, I would feel a flutter in my chest when doing low-grade exercise (Loading laundry, brushing teeth, etc). I usually dismissed it as no worry, and within a day or two it would go away. When doing high-grade exercise, I'd always feel my heartbeat, but with no abnormal rhythm.
About 5 days ago, I felt my heart skip while on the computer (didnt feel very anxious or worried at the time). I took my pulse to try to feel it, and felt it skip again. Needless to say, it threw me into a panic attack. After I calmed down, i was back to normal. Since then, I've experienced it everyday when i do normal low grade stuff, but when i take a brisk walk, it feels normal (although elevated).
Can you explain what might be happening? Why it happens during low-grade exercise but not more vigirous? Why it skips? Why does anxiety promote or make it worse? Is it at all related to Adrenaline, because the feeling I get is almost identical to the feeling i get when Im scared or suprised...almost like my stomach sinks...I have no other symptoms, not dizzy, not lightheaded...I just feel "off" when it flutters because I get so anxious. I have yearly EKG's, and chest xrays on my job, with nothing remarkable. I have a doc appt this friday should it continue...I've resumed eating right in the interim.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-KE, Aug 28, 2002 12:00AM
Palpitations:
Palpitations are the sensation of one's own heart beat. It is very likely that your symptoms are related to your anxiety and panic attacks. To better characterize whether or not a rhythm problem is occurring it may be a good idea to get a holter monitor test and an echocardiogram. The holter monitor will record your heart's electrical activity for 24-48 hours and help determine whether or not any rhythm problems are present. The echocardiogram will evaluate your heart for valve disorders and muscle contraction. I think it is important to try to get the panic attacks controlled because this is the most likely cause.
Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and stimulants such as those found in decongestants may will help with these symptoms.
Thanks for your question,
CCF-MD-KE
Palpitations are the sensation of one's own heart beat. It is very likely that your symptoms are related to your anxiety and panic attacks. To better characterize whether or not a rhythm problem is occurring it may be a good idea to get a holter monitor test and an echocardiogram. The holter monitor will record your heart's electrical activity for 24-48 hours and help determine whether or not any rhythm problems are present. The echocardiogram will evaluate your heart for valve disorders and muscle contraction. I think it is important to try to get the panic attacks controlled because this is the most likely cause.
Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and stimulants such as those found in decongestants may will help with these symptoms.
Thanks for your question,
CCF-MD-KE
Yes, I also get a butterfly feeling in my chest. I can almost entirely attribute it to anxiety, because the other day, i was at a family BBQ, had a few drinks, sat among friends and family, and didnt notice a single skip, even though I might have been having them. I believe alot has to do with the perception and anxiety that you take into the situation.
I get the thumps, too!
I hate the thumps most of all! Somtimes it's like someone hit me with a fist in the chest. Everytime I tell a new cardiologist (changes in insurance, moves, etc.) they just look at me. I always expect them to be alarmed. I know it's good that they aren't but it annoys me that they think I should be comfortable when I get a fist in my heart from time to time!!
Do you have MVP ?
Have you seeked any treatments for this ?
Any Intergrative treatments ?
Sometimes I get them from bending over or laying my arms across my chest while sitting...
I love coming to this site and listening to all you and your woes of these awful flutters in your chest. I know how this is all so damn scarey. I to panic often when these come on. I have to say I am 37 and feel just plain old. I panic when I come out of the gym fearing that there going to come on and I am 30 minutes from getting home. I have panic now not just anxiety. I have a appt with the cardiologist next week and fear that even! Go figure, the one who may help I fear!! I have lots of episodes since I was very young, now they have increased and I hate it. I have read some of the archive's and that has helped some. But let me tell you.. If you dont have a perscription for zanex, Get it!! Just knowing that i have something that will help to calm me down helps so so much. I have that control over my panic. I am an areobics instructor and teach a very early morning class. This is my true love! I love to work out and watch people want to live healthy live's. Now that I have these pvc's my workout has slowed down. Thanks for taking the time to write your comments you are all saving me : )
I have had the panic and anxitey attach. I agree they will scare you like crazy. I had the worse one sunday Sept1,02 and went to the Er. done blood work and things came back normal. went to family doctor for a follow up and redone blood work for thyroid.
I take Liptor for high cholestrol and thyroid. She also gave me hydroxyzine pam 25 mg. Told her I will keep it on hand if I can't fight them on my own. I hate take so much stuff together.
I'm also on a fluid pill and prozac.
Er. gave me meclizine while in the ER and a prescription to take home. THank God! so far I haven't had to take any. Any information that you can share please write me at ***@****