Racing Pulse

I have had what I think was two anxiety attacks (felt like heart attacks, pounding heart, trembling,shortness of breath, chills)  I have been to the ER, cardiologist, primary doctor and all tests have come back normal.(EKG's, holter monitor, cat scan, chest xray, blood work to test enzymes) They did say my thyroid was a little underactive.  I am scheduled to have a nuclear stress test and and echocardiogram 2/28/07.  The only problem is my pulse seems to be racing everyday.  I checked yesterday it was 143. I was at the grocery store waiting to pick up a prescription. Nothing strenous. I went to the doctor today and after I took my anxiety meds and rested a minute it was still 120 on my EKG. My doctor said normal should be between 60 - 80.  I am freaking out because this has just started happening out of nowhere.  I have chronic back problems and I am post surgery.  I am on Percocet 10/325.  The day that I had the first panic attack (that is what I will call it)I had an epidural steroid injection in my spine.  This is not the 1st one I have had. I am a smoker I have 4 kids ranging from 1 - 14. Does this sound like panic attacks or anxiety?  Why wont my heart stop racing? Am I making a big deal for nothing since the doctors are in no hurry to have me in for the other testing? Any advice would be helpful

[holliexox]

it sounds like anxiety to me. being at the store, makes me nervous. little things can make you nervous and stressed. your heart races cause your anxious and your thinging about it 2 much. just try and relax and take hott baths and get your mind off things. im sure your fine espsically that ALL your tests came back neg. good luck :)

[Am I having panic attacks????????????]

Thanks for the advice.  That is exactly what I am doing.  Constantly checking my heart and pulse.  I will try to quit obsessing about it and hopefully things will get better.

Thank goodness for sites like this that let you talk to other people so you dont feel so alone or like your the only person experiencing these symptoms.

You have eased my mind and for that I thank you.

[Mozartcowgirl]

the more you constantly check it.. worry about it.. and ponder WHY your heart rate is going that fast.. the higher it will be..

i had that same problem.... mine would go all the way up into the 160's...

you smoke.. that makes your heart rate go faster...

kids .. well.. thats automatic..lol

stress of whats happening .. another factor..


have you tried relaxation techniques?

i just got so sick and tired of that happening to me.. i have kids.. i had all the tests.. i smoked as well..

i quit smoking years and years ago.. tried new approaches for the stress and kids.... and did my utmost to calm myself even when i could tell my heart rate was getting fast.


keep in mind.. that venturing out.. being in pulic places... already being stressed.. well. those are triggers..

your mind creates the whole fight or flight.. and sometimes. that mechanism can go nutso on you ..

i used to have it so bad i felt on edge ALL THE TIME>

my heart would just start racing.. and wham.. off to the races..which in turn made me go into a full blown panic attack.


it takes time.. its not going to go away instantly.. you have to work at it.. but you CAN. and WILL .. do it!!

and hey.. instead of fighting it sometimes.. just let it go.. you arent going to die from it.. let it go.

eventually you will get to a point as to where you will find a comfort zone.. and when you do .. keep at it..

[imcrazy2]

Funny enough, the BEST thing for both anxiety and heart health is good cardio exercise.  Getting your heart rate UP during exercise will help keep it DOWN when you are resting.  Plus, exercise allows all of that pent-up endorphin/adrenaline OUT.  Do 30-45 mins/day EVER DAY for 2 weeks, and you will be AMAZED how much better you feel!!!!