Postural Tachycardia caused by Zoloft or anxiety, afraid I now have POTS!

I began taking Zoloft for panic attacks and anxiety because I finally resigned to the fact that I need to treat my anxiety. My panic attacks were worsening and my health anxiety was taking over. I started analyzing every symptom I was having and attributing it to a heart or neurological problem and was beginning to visit the doctors daily. One symptom I cannot help but notice is that my heart rate does increase abnormally high when I get up in the morning from a lying position. In fact this morning, my heart rate increased from 60 bpm while lying to 120 upon standing. Granted I was feeling anxious at the time, but this seemed abnormal and sent me into a full blown panic attack. I recently went to the ER because I noticed this heart rate  increase and they noticed that i was having postural tachycardia. My cardiologist ran tests (echo, nuclear stress test, holter, all normal) and while he did notice a higher than normal increase in heart rate from lying to standing, I do not have POTS and it is due to anxiety and vagal tone. My heart is usually in the low 50's at rest and in the 40's and even 30's while asleep. I think I started getting this after beginning Zoloft but I cant quite remember but this is now making me a wreck!!!!  I thought for sure my anxiety was the root of my problem but now Im worried this may worse!!  PLEASE ANYONE WITH INFO RESPOND! Thank you

[cj29]

In my experience with health anxiety I actually went from working out everyday to being afraid to walk up a flight of stairs when I first experienced this.  I too had many tests that cleared me of any heart related issues but I would not believe it for a long time.  Panic and anxiety can cause havoc with us both physically and mentally.

I would notice my heart beat fast especially in the morning, but you would be amazed how fast it can go due to your panic.  If you have been cleared medically than you are okay and what is normal for you with your heart may be abnormal for others.  For example, I run between 6-8 miles a day and yet when I have an ECG it reads abnormal from time to time because of a heart murmur I have had all my life.  I went to a cardiologist and they did tests and I'm still here.  The biggest factor in overcoming this is the acceptence of your diagnosis from the doc and acceptence of your anxiety.  I am a big proponent of medications like Zoloft as long as they are combined with talk therapy....you need to learn about this pattern of thinking to have long term relief.

Stay in consultation with your prescribing doctor regarding your medications and keep us posted!