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Abnormal EKG while having panic attack????

Panic attacks started about 3 years ago.  At that time went through the usual test...EKG, cardiac enzymes, complete bloodwork up...everything came back fine except a T-wave abnormality in my EKG they said was from smoking.  Recently had another round of panic attacks and this time on my EKG it showed a diffuse ST abnormality.  Researching this I found that hyperventilation can cause this and I was having a panic attack at the time of the EKG. When my doctor got the reading for the EKG she sent me directly to the ER.  In the ER they done another EKG that was normal except the T-wave.  My questions are this..

1. Has anyone else ever had this ST abnormality and what did it end up being?

2. Can your EKG go from abnormal to the "norm" for you if there is something wrong with your heart?

3. My panic attacks tend to come about 5 or 6 daily for about 4 days and then go away for a while, is this common?

Thank you for your help!!!!  
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Avatar universal
Hello there, I’m 39. 6 months ago I had an event. I was not feeling good, I had chest pain, dizzy, etc. I went to the urgent care and my ekg showed “possible infart” so the sent me to the ER. My BP was at 154/93 and my pulse hit 180 BPM several time that day.

The first response at the ER was to evaluate my heart. I went through all kind of tests. Tripontent, Stress Test and Echo came back perfect but the the Heart Cath “showed” Chronary Arterie Spasm. I also came out with sleep apnea and got a c-pad machine.

My cardiologist wasn’t sure if this was a condition inherited or could be due to stress. He ended up prescribing me Norsvac (BP medicine) for “arteries relaxation” to take care of the “arteries spasms”. Two months had passed, I was 217 lbs and my BP was avg 133/86 and

The pills were making me fell sicker and I decided to go for a second opinion. My new internal Dr told me that i was young and that I could beat this naturally without prescription; but it would take a “few months”

Well, 4 months later I can tell you that I think my condition was nervous.  I’ve gotten so much better without pills. My BP is now avg 113/75; my pluse 62 at resting (from 82) and I lost almost 40 lbs.

I would recommend anyone dealing with panic attacks and anxiety to balance their lives’ stress with reading, meditation, good diet and excersises.
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Avatar universal
I've been searching everywhere and can't believe I've come across your post
I've been experiencing severe panic attacks and anxiety
Last 2 attacks I rang ambulances and paramedics diagnosed panic attacks but I pushed my doc for stress ECG treadmill test and had it on Tuesday
Results 0.05 mm ST depression and T inversion was seen in the recovery period
They want me to have a 24hour tape and a cath angiogram which I'm terrified of having
They've giving me aspirin and beta blockers

I had throat tightening breathless Dizziness and chest pain

Last panic attack pulsing head with no palpitations but exhausted heart breath all while driving... Have you experienced as bad as this?

My dad died at 35 of heart attack

Any feed back would be very appreciated
Julie
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Avatar universal
Super Professor Nico says that Panic Attacks can be dangerous and they change by the attack that you will have.
If you want to slow down panic attacks you must go on specialised Treatment for panic attacks like Xanax or drugs that control the panic attacks.Stop all caffeine based products for life.This will slow the panic attacks.No Chinese
Teas or any teas they start a panic attack as well as Colas.If you suffer from Agoraphobia use the Xanax that will take it away just relax do not over stress,make your brain think neutrally,its good for the brain.If you have palpitations remember they will go away because you have had a panic attacks.You can e- mail me at ***@**** for more info.
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Avatar universal
I had my stress test done and it came back OK.  They did get my HR into the low 180's high 170's.  It did not take to long on the tread mill.  I am out of shape LOL.  I still have apprehension about my heart health.  I am also experiencing shortness of breath lately with out having any anxiety.  It does make me anxious after having it for a few minutes though.  I am an asthmatic so I guess that stand to reason.  I am tired of being a hypochondriac!
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Avatar universal
MY HEART RATE AT THAT TIME WAS 110 BUT 2 YEARS AGO WHEN I HAD MY FIRST REAL PANIC ATTACK IT WAS 161. WHEN I HAD MY STRESS TEST MY HEART RATE GOT UP TO THE 180'S AND THEY DIDNT EVEN BLINK AN EYE AT THAT.  IT TOOK A LITTLE BIT FOR IT TO COME DOWN TO WITHING NORMAL RANGE ALSO AND NOTHING WAS MENTIONED ABOUT THAT EITHER. I DONT BELIEVE YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT AS LONG AS YOUR HEART IS "NORMAL". GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR VISIT AND LET ME KNOW!!!!
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Avatar universal
I saw that you said that your HR was only 110.  I have panic attacks and frequently have a heart rate of 160 to 185.  I have worn a holtor monitor for 48 hrs and was told now abnomalites.  I am going in for a stress test this coming thursday.  Should I be worried about such a high heart rate?  I tend to make myself get to those levels because when I am starting to have an attack I think that I am going to damage my heart with the high HR.
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Avatar universal
Thanks so much for your help!!! Just curious and wondering how you know so much.  I mean i have been reading other threads and you seem to have a vast knowledge and the teminology of not an ordinary person with panic/anxiety problems.  Just wondering!!!!  Again thanks for your help and Good Luck To You.
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Avatar universal
Just thought I would let you know I received my stress test report today. Everything is NORMAL!!!! Thanks for all your help!!!
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Avatar universal
I am hoping my cardiologist thinks the same as the nurses that done the stress test!!!  I have been so anxious over the test itself I cant imagine waiting for the results.  I appreciate your help, you seem very knowledgeable.  Good luck to you also!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for your reply.  All my labs (cardiac enzymes included) came back normal.  The T-wave abnormality shows diffuse non-specific T-wave abnormality; not sure what leads or anything. I had a stress echo today and they said womens EKG can change without it being anything.  My cardiologist did say hyperventilation can cause the ST wave abnormality but just wanted to make sure.  The stress echo they said looked liked there was nothing to worry about but of course I have to wait until the final word from my cardiologist.  When I have my panic attacks I have hyperventilation, tachycardia of at least 110+, a choking feeling, lightheaded feeling and a warmth up my chest and back.  Ive done lots of research on the web and these are all common symptoms of panic attacks. The Xanax helps these symptoms and they last about 20 minutes... I would think if it was my heart the Xanax would not help and they would not go away. I have not had an attack in 5 days now....hopefully on the road to healing.  Anymore input would be greatly appreciated.
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