extrasystoles and anxiety

Ok, so I've been dealing with anxiety since August about and it's much better then before the anxiety attacks are nearly gone and not having any panic attack anymore. But I do occasionally has mild anxiety that will bring extrasystoles that if I don't concentrate on them or make much fuss they'll go away in a few minutes to an hour.

But my question lies with exercise. If I exercise somewhat hard I get them the extrasystoles and they last for hours whatever I do. I haven't been to the doctor for this for a while as I was working hard on the anxiety part but now I'm wondering again if it's more then just anxiety. I had an Ecg in Feb (normal) and my thyroid checked (im hypo) pretty much every 6 weeks and it's been in control. I had a stress test done in October and came back normal. I had extrasystoles after the test was over and I was in the after test waiting room. I told the nurse and she didn't even check it.

This morning I went to shovel a bit of snow for about 30 minutes, Not heavy snow just repetitive movements. I came in and started to feel them. It's been 3 hours and still I'm having some. Trying not to think of them but Obviously I am since I'm writting about them. I'll ask for my thyroid to be checked again when I 'm there next week but in the meantime do you guys think that it's just cause I'm still having some anxiety or that it's something else. I have been dealing with pain elsewhere in my body and have had anxiety over it and anxiety over exercising and the after extrasystoles. So I'm anxious over anxiety which is why I'm slowly getting back into doing more exercises. Anyway hope someone has words of wisdom for me.

[cj29]

There are many causes for these, but anxiety can definitely cause our hearts to 'skip beats' in my opinion.  PVCs can be benign and I have had them on some cardio testing before and the doctor told me not to worry.  Medications can also cause them as well, so ensure you talk to your doctor about all the possibilities.  Have you discussed this with him/her?  

[MartineMoreau]

Yes, I have a while back. I was put on Anxiety drug but didn't like the feeling they gave me and with the doctors advice stopped to see if it helped me over the hurdle the week I took it. It did but the anxiety was wavy in strenght for a while. i found a technique that is working to reduce the anxiety but I think I may still have some general anxiety since I'm still getting the palps. I'm just on the thyroid meds. I'm asking for a bloodwork to see where my levels.

The doctor seemed to think that nothing was wrong. All bloodwork was fine. They checked the enzyme in my heart and muscles, calcium, magnesium, ECG and Stress test. Of couse never had one while there or during testing.

I'm leaning more towards it being from anxiety but wanted to check with you guys I guess to reassure myself

[blsdnsvd]

Jus wanted to share my story....I also have those spaced heartbeats up until now and the only thing going on with my heart is a murmur. Ever since i started experiencing anxiety and was diagnosed with Anxiety disorder, those were one of my mannnny symptoms. Due to fact that your testing were normal, i suggest that you just focus on everything else in life and don't even think about them when they r happening or it can get bothersome. Just an example: when i am at the Gym and i do a heartrate check, my heart skips beats to the point that i can't keep up with the count, but, i'm use to it so it doesn't bother me at all. Just be sure to keep up with your physicals to rule out anything else. God Bless

[cj29]

I would have to agree with the above post.  You have been tested, which is good...now it is time to believe the results in my opinion.  My original bout with anxiety came from concerns about my heart health.  In my experience, we become so sensitized to every little pain, skipped beat, twinge, etc. that we are constantly searching and scanning for problems.  Our interpretation of these 'symptoms' can also be wrong as well.  For example, I can see my pulse in my neck; when I was going through all of this I thought to myself, "Man oh man, my BP must be through the roof...something is wrong," when in fact, it was not....it is normal for me.  Talk therapy to learn about your anxiety helped me tremendously and allowed me to confront and learn about the anxiety...keep us posted!

[MartineMoreau]

Thanks I have to agree with you both. I do check too often and let it bother me. Sometimes it does seem the more I try not to let it bother me the more it does. If that makes sense.

I'm not getting as tired from them as before and they don't stay for 6 hours like before but I did get them for 4 hours yesterday after shoveling snow.

I too worry too much about my heart health and worry about it. If I do exercise I anticipate that I'll get palpitation subconsioucly and then when I stop doing it I do get them. Thanks for your replies, I get more courage everytime I'm reminded that I'm not alone dealing with this.

[MartineMoreau]

Thanks to you all. Just the mear fact of talking to people who understand has given me a boost. I shovelled snow yesterday and no palps. I even played in the snow and pulled my son in his sled and no palps.

I'm really thankful for your help.

[cj29]

Not a problem...that is what this forum is all about!  I am glad that you are enjoying time with the kids.  Just remember, that we have our ups and downs with anxiety; just like any other challenge that we face...keep us posted!

[blsdnsvd]

I'm glad to hear that. It's very good to talk to other's who are in the same boat and can truly understand your fears and feelings. Enjoy life and Be Blessed.