I think I have anxiety issues + underlying heart issues

[Matt_K]

So I've always been a worry wart all my life, a sort of hypochondriac that always fears that he's going to die. About 4 years ago I grew out of thinking everything was going to kill me.

In the past few months though, it's come back, mainly due to heart palpitation/arrhythmia episodes. About 3 times in the past 5ish months my heartbeat has skyrocketed to the 180's + (220 maxed) bpm, I was hospitalized in England during one of the episodes and they did blood tests and a heart trace.

Now, the blood tests came back negative, the heart trace (I'm not sure what it's technological term is, they stuck about 8 things on my chest and legs, took about 3 seconds and then printed this graph thing) came out normal. I was given a clean bill of health, I was told they COULD do further liver tests, but my doctor thought it was just "one of those things." They seemed to be caused by anxiety (late for work, nearly crashed car etc.)

So when I was flying back to the US, my heartbeat went up to around 100-130 bpm after stressing for about an hour over my flights, I couldn't get over the overwhelming fear of doom, I literally felt like I was going to die. My arms and fingers became tingley, I became dizzy and flushed, I couldn't eat, I felt sick, I hadn't slept in 24 hours, the works.

So I thought I just had a random one off panic attack, and no problem. But now, It keeps happening. At least 3 days a week I'll have pounding heart and the feeling of doom for hours. It's unbearable, do you think it's panic disorder? Or something linked to the anxiety instigated palpitations?


Also: A lot has changed at home, my dad has moved country, I just started school, I just got a job, I'm stressed because I'm trying to get health insurance again and I always have diarrhea after these panic attack days. I also sometimes get random palpitations if I exercise too hard.

It's unbearable, but I'm a psychology student and understand these things very well. What worries me and seems to instigate these is the knowledge that I DO get randomish heart palpitation/arrhythmia episodes that can apparently be dangerous.

Please help, sorry for the long post but I wanted to be sure!

[trish2828]

Your symptoms sound familiar.  I went through the same stuff a few years ago and had every test done on me.  I did come out of these test knowing I am pretty healthy!!  I have the same heart issues and I have used medications and counseling.  Both seem to work.  Please don't feel that you are alone!!  Yoga really helped me also.  It was really good to concentrate on breathing and exercise.

[brd888]

Sounds like classic Panic attacks to me! The fact that when you have them you start worrying that your heart is racing is simply making the whole thing worse. See your doctor about panic attacks..

[adviceseeker777]

Hi,
I'm sorry you are experiencing so much anxiety and distress!  Believe me you are not alone! And you will find many people on this board who are dealing with similar things.
I have suffered from panic/anxiety for about 18 years and this year has been HELL for me as well.  
I can tell you this:  I do have these episodes of rapid heart rate that just keep escalating, shaking, can't breathe, feeling i'm about to die or crawl out of my skin, or lose my mind...my heart can go from 150 to 180 and 200 as well.
The very best thing to do to ease your mind, because it does sound like you are suffering from panic/severe anxiety...is to go to a cardiologist adn have all the necessary tests done.  I just went through the round:  EKGs, sonogram, stress test and also a 24 hour monitor.  They will be able to tell where the palpitations and fast rate is coming from...i.e. is it from the heart or is it signals from the brain (sinus tachycardia, a normal fast rate that you would experience during exercise).  
That's your first step.  Have them check you out completely with all necessary tests before you allow them to diagnose you as as suffering from panic disorder. This will help ease your mind. Then if all is definitely panic (which sounds like it, but I'm not a doc just a chronic panic sufferer ;-)   then you need to see a shrink and start working on a combo of meds and therapy to deal.
You are going to be fine!!!!  Keep checking back on these boards. People here are very supportive and can help explain a lot to you.
I'm wishing you the best and hope you feel much better soon!
hang in there!  you are not alone!
best,
k