Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
421321 tn?1203206589

Abnormal EKG

Hello,
I'm an 18 year old male who smokes about a 1/2 pack a day and drinks on occasion. I've had severe anxiety for about 6 months now (health anxiety, hypochondria) I have no insurance and am currently attending a sliding-fee clinic for anxiety treatment (behavioral therapy).
Recently my doctor performed and EKG and found I have PVC's in a pattern of bigemini. I wore a Holter Monitor for 24 hours, and just today my doctor called me back saying there are "Significant abnormalities with my heart beat" and is going to recommend me to a cardiologist.

I'm wondering if these abnormalities could be due to my severe anxiety or is it something more sinister afoot.
This puzzles me for these reasons:

1. I suffer mild dizzy spells now and then, but i have never once fainted.
2. I exercise regularly and never feel more fatigue than usual
3. 90% of the time I feel palpitations is when i'm anxious.
4. I can breathe just fine (no shortness of breath, even when lying flat)
5. My weight is stable, i've put on a few pounds but i believe it's from weight-training.
6** I occasionally have slight discomfort in my chest. No pain associated, but it feels like someone is pushing on the bottom of my breastplate, or up under my ribs. This is scary seeing as these are symptoms of a heart attack. But i've always been just fine, checked my pulse and it's where it's supposed to be (around 75 bpm)

If someone in the same situation or someone with a medical background could please help me out with this, it would be greatly appreciated.
7 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
My husband has been having all the same symptoms. He has severe sleep apnea and really the pvc's were found at the time of his sleep study. He wore a event monitor that the doctor has now told him to stop wearing, he had a stress test that came out normal, but due to the pvc's and chest burning he will have a nuclear stress test. He was told to stop smoking or leave this life. He is on Chantix and right now he has gone 1 week without. We don't think he has any form of heart disease but it is best to be safe. Alot of stress going on also right now. So we are praying and holding on and you do the same. Wish you well and I too have been suffering from anxiety, but that don't mean you are crazy. It is just the things around us and we have to pray and pray. Hang in there Jake and we go do the same. By the way I work for a Cardiologist and take nothing for granted Jake nothing. I have seen some really different ways heart disease hits everyone. No symptom is a dumb one.

Take Care
MsCway
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am 37 and recently had a similar situation.  I was anxious, went to the doctor, he said my heart rate was rapid and I should get an EKG.  The EKG was normal except for the rapid heart rate so I had another test done, I can't recall the name of it, but it was a sonogram of the heart -- electrocardiogram or something like that.  This test was also normal and I have not had the rapid heart rate since the cardiologist told me the results.
Helpful - 0
389092 tn?1206666370
Have you found out any more news about the tests?
Helpful - 0
421321 tn?1203206589
Thank you all for your concern and support. A strong network of intelligent friends is probably the best medicine for this type of disorder. I've added you all as friends and I'll keep all of you posted as to my findings concerning my arrhythmia.

Also, if any of you have anything you'd need help with, feel free to ask. I love to help!

-Jake
Helpful - 0
384247 tn?1205152678
I too have had an EKG show abnormal T-waves or something.  The last time my dr. called and told me to go straight to the ER something was wrong.  Needless to say, panic attack here I come... the ride to the ER was FOREVER long and had one of the worst panic attacks I have ever had.  I believe my doctor was scared and thats is why she jumped to send me to the ER so quick.  Once I got there and explained what was going on they of course hooked me up to the EKG machine, and everything was normal.  I did follow up with my cardiologist and had a stress echo done and everything came back normal.  I did find out in my situation that the abnormality was from hyperventilating.  I was not conciously(sp?) doing this, but I was having anxiety at the time of my EKG.  It is best to get everything checked out, but try not to think the worst.  There are many points between everything being fine and something seriously wrong.  
Wish you well, and keep us informed.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Based on my symptoms, it sounds like a classic case of anxiety.  I get that a lot.  HOWEVER, I would highly recommend you get heart tests done to relieve you from worrying about it.  Talk, talk, ask your doctor all questions...we're not doctors.  You want to rule out any physical problems that might be the culprit to your anxiety.  Once, you've ruled it out..you will be at ease and taking some type of PRESCRIBED anti-anxiety medication should do the trick.  I'm also w/o insurance and on a sliding scale so I too have had reservations on tests.  However, there is no price tag on a peace of mind.

All the best.
Helpful - 0
366811 tn?1217422672
A classic chicken and egg situation, here: does the anxiety cause the heart rhythm, or does the heart cause the anxiety thing, or both, or alternately one, then the other.

I dunno, but it would make sense to me that a heart rhythm problem and that pressure such as you've noticed would trigger anxiety -not necessarily an attach, but certainly a well-founded concern of enlightened self-interest. I think we need the cardio's results when they become available -probably many more tests for all that, so hang in with it.

You are self-decribed as a hypochodriac, and I think it would be useful for you to think about what was going on in your life when you had the initial anxiety symptoms. Can you say what events to which you attached any special significance occurred then (about 6 months ago)?  Bear in mind that a predisposition toward hypochondria does NOT mean there are no independent health issues; just like being a paranoid doesn't mean that they are NOT out to get you. You have to be sharp in your discernment about what is happening as an independent physical process -as opposed to what you are WORRIED about happening. And I would talk this up with your doctors a LOT.

Please keep us in the loop!

Thanks for a great post. Your experience with it and the outcomes will be most valuable to others here.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Anxiety Community

Top Anxiety Answerers
Avatar universal
Arlington, VA
370181 tn?1595629445
Arlington, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out what can trigger a panic attack – and what to do if you have one.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Take control of tension today.
These simple pick-me-ups squash stress.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
Want to wake up rested and refreshed?