Aa
Anxiety and Palps
Hi,
Im a 30 yo male, 5 10, 230 lbs. I'm approximately 30-40 lbs overweight. 2 Yrs ago I was diagnosed with having panic attacks and anxiety disorder. I took Zoloft for a few months, but didnt like the side effects. I've been off of it for almost a year, and anxiety/panic attack free. Once in awhile, I would feel a flutter in my chest when doing low-grade exercise (Loading laundry, brushing teeth, etc). I usually dismissed it as no worry, and within a day or two it would go away. When doing high-grade exercise, I'd always feel my heartbeat, but with no abnormal rhythm.
About 5 days ago, I felt my heart skip while on the computer (didnt feel very anxious or worried at the time). I took my pulse to try to feel it, and felt it skip again. Needless to say, it threw me into a panic attack. After I calmed down, i was back to normal. Since then, I've experienced it everyday when i do normal low grade stuff, but when i take a brisk walk, it feels normal (although elevated).
Can you explain what might be happening? Why it happens during low-grade exercise but not more vigirous? Why it skips? Why does anxiety promote or make it worse? Is it at all related to Adrenaline, because the feeling I get is almost identical to the feeling i get when Im scared or suprised...almost like my stomach sinks...I have no other symptoms, not dizzy, not lightheaded...I just feel "off" when it flutters because I get so anxious. I have yearly EKG's, and chest xrays on my job, with nothing remarkable. I have a doc appt this friday should it continue...I've resumed eating right in the interim.
Im a 30 yo male, 5 10, 230 lbs. I'm approximately 30-40 lbs overweight. 2 Yrs ago I was diagnosed with having panic attacks and anxiety disorder. I took Zoloft for a few months, but didnt like the side effects. I've been off of it for almost a year, and anxiety/panic attack free. Once in awhile, I would feel a flutter in my chest when doing low-grade exercise (Loading laundry, brushing teeth, etc). I usually dismissed it as no worry, and within a day or two it would go away. When doing high-grade exercise, I'd always feel my heartbeat, but with no abnormal rhythm.
About 5 days ago, I felt my heart skip while on the computer (didnt feel very anxious or worried at the time). I took my pulse to try to feel it, and felt it skip again. Needless to say, it threw me into a panic attack. After I calmed down, i was back to normal. Since then, I've experienced it everyday when i do normal low grade stuff, but when i take a brisk walk, it feels normal (although elevated).
Can you explain what might be happening? Why it happens during low-grade exercise but not more vigirous? Why it skips? Why does anxiety promote or make it worse? Is it at all related to Adrenaline, because the feeling I get is almost identical to the feeling i get when Im scared or suprised...almost like my stomach sinks...I have no other symptoms, not dizzy, not lightheaded...I just feel "off" when it flutters because I get so anxious. I have yearly EKG's, and chest xrays on my job, with nothing remarkable. I have a doc appt this friday should it continue...I've resumed eating right in the interim.
I made a post under another question/comment thread that may be of interest to those on this thread:
http://www.medhelp.org/perl6/cardio/messages/C33602-3.html
http://www.medhelp.org/perl6/cardio/messages/C33602-3.html
I have pvcs and pacs, I for sure know what the pvcs feel like but not sure what the pacs feel like can anyone please tell me how you tell the differance!!!
Hello, this is my first time at this site. I just wanted to write a little bit about myself. I have been getting palps. since about 14yrs. old. My parent took me to a cardiologist,I was diagnosed with Mitrvalve prolapse. A few months ago I was getting them more frequently so my doctor did many tests on me,an echo,ekg,and a stress test,needless to say they all came back NORMAL! ofcoarse I dont feel normal. two nights ago they were more frequent, they were driving me CRAZY! I drove myself to the E.R. I was hooked up to a heart monitor and they gave me an ekg. Once again everthing was fine,the only conclusion was anxiety and stress which I have plenty of!!! Make a long story short I just started Paxil. The doctor also wanted me to take Inderal but I want to take one drug at a time.I also get from time to time shortness of breath but being that everone tells me Im ok I just pray about it and ignore that too.
It has been over a year since I have visited this site. It was very helpful for me to learn that I was not the only one with strange heartbeats. I think I have had irregular beats (PAC's) for the last 25 years. It wasn't until the last year or two that they started really bothering me. I went to the ER and also made several trips to various doctors to get checked out.
My doctors were no longer interested in my condition after the results of my tests showed a normal heart. Their advice was that this happens to most people after 40. They told me to go out and live a normal life and not pay attention to it. This was not much comfort and did little to reduce my anxiety. I then went back and had them treat me for my anxiety and panic. They were kind enought to give me Valium. This was very helpful and allowed me to start researching the road to my own cure.
Here is what I recommend:
1. Get tests done to make sure there are no physical problems with your heart. (EKG, Echo, Holter or Event monitor, etc.)
2. Get a second opinion just to make sure.
3. Run, don't walk, to your nearest book store and buy one of these books..."Hope and Help for Your Nerves" or "Peace from Nervous Suffering". Both are by Dr. Claire Weekes.
4. Set aside the time to start working on your own health and wellbeing. Exercise, drink more water, reduce stress, reduce alcohol, reduce caffeine, reduce chocolate, investigate vitamin and mineral supplements, investigate alternatives to traditional medicine, investigate how you fit in with the big picture of life, etc. etc. Stop being a victim and take control of your own future.
I haven't turned it all around for myself yet, but I'm getting there. Don't give up. It doesn't happen overnight and there will be setbacks along the way. The key is to not run, hide or avoid, but to accept. (I'll get off my soapbox now).
My doctors were no longer interested in my condition after the results of my tests showed a normal heart. Their advice was that this happens to most people after 40. They told me to go out and live a normal life and not pay attention to it. This was not much comfort and did little to reduce my anxiety. I then went back and had them treat me for my anxiety and panic. They were kind enought to give me Valium. This was very helpful and allowed me to start researching the road to my own cure.
Here is what I recommend:
1. Get tests done to make sure there are no physical problems with your heart. (EKG, Echo, Holter or Event monitor, etc.)
2. Get a second opinion just to make sure.
3. Run, don't walk, to your nearest book store and buy one of these books..."Hope and Help for Your Nerves" or "Peace from Nervous Suffering". Both are by Dr. Claire Weekes.
4. Set aside the time to start working on your own health and wellbeing. Exercise, drink more water, reduce stress, reduce alcohol, reduce caffeine, reduce chocolate, investigate vitamin and mineral supplements, investigate alternatives to traditional medicine, investigate how you fit in with the big picture of life, etc. etc. Stop being a victim and take control of your own future.
I haven't turned it all around for myself yet, but I'm getting there. Don't give up. It doesn't happen overnight and there will be setbacks along the way. The key is to not run, hide or avoid, but to accept. (I'll get off my soapbox now).
Im so happy to have found this site. I feel as though im going crazy and im driving everyone around me crazy! I also have pvc and pac they seem to go hand in hand it sounds like.
Last night I had a palp and normal beat then palp and normal beat then palp palp palp and palp. Am I going nuts or what has anyone else had a run of palps like that??? Not racing had that a month ago. Scared me to death every one blows me off. Cant talk to the cardiologist always busy only her nurse who just blows me off to anxitey. Help you can e-mail me any one would love to chat. ***@****. God bless you all This is a real problem I quit smoking only smoked a little one pack would last me three to four days quit caffine and chocolate seemed to help till last night. Oh by the way you really find out who your true friends are at times like this. My best friend went into a public place and was mocking me for wearing a monitor. Nice friend why do people laught at medical stuff I dont think it cool.
Last night I had a palp and normal beat then palp and normal beat then palp palp palp and palp. Am I going nuts or what has anyone else had a run of palps like that??? Not racing had that a month ago. Scared me to death every one blows me off. Cant talk to the cardiologist always busy only her nurse who just blows me off to anxitey. Help you can e-mail me any one would love to chat. ***@****. God bless you all This is a real problem I quit smoking only smoked a little one pack would last me three to four days quit caffine and chocolate seemed to help till last night. Oh by the way you really find out who your true friends are at times like this. My best friend went into a public place and was mocking me for wearing a monitor. Nice friend why do people laught at medical stuff I dont think it cool.
Dya know, I've struggled for years to think of a good way of describing the missed beat/thump/flutter and 'diddle diddle thump' is brilliant.
I think that alcohol is a stinger. If I'm feeling anxious then alcohol is the perfect relaxant for me (although I know that it is the opposite for others) but it's well documented that alcohol stimulates the adrenal grand to secrete adrenalin. The effects of this arent noticable until the next day when the alcohol leaves my system and the adrenalin remains - unused!! I am also well-known for being hyperactive when I'm drunk.
Alcoholics must get similar symptons to us but they hate them more and drink more frequently to stop them. The fact that we are not alcoholic is something we should be very grateful of.
I think that alcohol is a stinger. If I'm feeling anxious then alcohol is the perfect relaxant for me (although I know that it is the opposite for others) but it's well documented that alcohol stimulates the adrenal grand to secrete adrenalin. The effects of this arent noticable until the next day when the alcohol leaves my system and the adrenalin remains - unused!! I am also well-known for being hyperactive when I'm drunk.
Alcoholics must get similar symptons to us but they hate them more and drink more frequently to stop them. The fact that we are not alcoholic is something we should be very grateful of.
I notice mine a lot after I smoke and when I have anxiety attacks. I can feel the forceful beat and sometimes I feel it in my head and face and for some strange reason I get them when I belch or eat something. Sometimes they are painful (not extremely but attention getting). It seems like I am having hundreds tonight. like diddle diddle thump! I hate them. I keep expexting to have one and for it not to quit happening. I have severe panic attacks. These are comprised of feelings of immenent death. This makes the heart palpitation more frequent. I always think somethings wrong. I'm glad there are others out there. I just wish there were complete cures. ~Drac~
I've been having pvc's for about 7 years now and they still freak me out. When I went to the ER a month ago the monitor said I was having them between 5 to 12 per minute and they still sent me home saying "don't wory".
Last night I was eating dinner with my inlaws when they came on pretty good. I'd have to say about 2 to 6 per minute. this lasted for about 5 hours or so. We had to go home and miss the movie we were about to see. THIS SUCKS!
Today I feel pretty O.K . (for now). Hopefully I'll go the whole day without too many.
I also have controlled hbp and borderline LVH.
Does anyone know if this is more likely to get better or worse?
my e-mail is ***@****
Last night I was eating dinner with my inlaws when they came on pretty good. I'd have to say about 2 to 6 per minute. this lasted for about 5 hours or so. We had to go home and miss the movie we were about to see. THIS SUCKS!
Today I feel pretty O.K . (for now). Hopefully I'll go the whole day without too many.
I also have controlled hbp and borderline LVH.
Does anyone know if this is more likely to get better or worse?
my e-mail is ***@****
I'm a 38yo f RN - I've been having heart palpitations for a while that have gotten progressively worse. Now they're all the time...I know they're PVC's because I hooked myself up to the EKG monitor at work. (I thought it was a 2 degree heart block at first because I drop a beat when taking my pulse). I have probably up to 10 - 12/minute at certain times. (Like last night when I took a hot shower). I usually have none at complete rest (like when I'm lying down). But I experience them frequently with normal day to day activity. When I do aerobic type exercise, they are not as frequent during the exercise session. I feel every single one of them - but want to up my life insurance before visiting the Dr. (just in case). I had no idea that they were so common until today (I thought it would be a good idea to check them out over the net. since I'd planned to wait to get any dx until after upping my life insurance)...Nice to have this site. Any similarities? Please respond.
I am also having symptoms of irregular heartbeats. I am only 26 and completely freaked out by them. I have had them on and off for the last 2 days and they seem to be lasting longer each time. I work for a neurologist and he said that my BP and Pulse were fine and of course I had no skips while in the office today when he was there. Tonight I was listening with me stethascope and it would beat fine then stop for a few seconds then beat fine again, then continue to do that over and over. Sometimes it would even do a few fast beats at once. When these happen I feel short of breath slightly and have chest pain. Is this normal??? I have alot of stress, single mom with lots of bills and no medical insurance etc. etc. It seems to go away when i cough and then comes right back. please if anyone can offer some advice and words of wisdom i would appreciate it. i have an appointment with my family doc on monday but they say if it continues go to the hospital.???????
I have posted a reply to an above thread saying that I believe a lot of these problems are caused by anxiety and stress. Sometimes a relatively benign problem can seem much worse just because you have found out you have got it! Like my BP: I found out is was fairly high, then I got paranoid about it, especially when I had to have it checked, so it would shoot through the roof! And then the palpitations would start, feeling dizzy and yep, you guessed the start of a panic attack. I often used to get that strange fluttery feeling in my chest almost like my heart was pumping air through. And always a strange tightness or pressure high in my abdomen like when you are angry. Difficult to explain. I always felt exhausted at the same time as if I was going to collapse. Seems to me it is far too much adrenaline in my system causing this, from the anxiety. Also I have discovered what I thought was palpitations is actually stomach related. Obviously you feel sick when anxious so my stomach would gurgle and I would mistake this for a heart flutter. Some of your stomach lies partially under your rib cage which is pretty close to the heart, as is the oesophagus which runs to it. I would place one hand over my heart and the other over another pulse point when I got this fluttering and the beats would be in harmony and steady. So it wasn't my heart.
My doc has said that my BP readings require treatment no matter what the cause so I take sotalol 160mg, bendrofluazide 2.5mg, ramipril 5mg and dothiepin 75mg. Seems like a lot!
I have started taking magnesium which helps the panic, but discuss this with your doc first.
I hope you found some use from this, but it is only one view out of many.
My doc has said that my BP readings require treatment no matter what the cause so I take sotalol 160mg, bendrofluazide 2.5mg, ramipril 5mg and dothiepin 75mg. Seems like a lot!
I have started taking magnesium which helps the panic, but discuss this with your doc first.
I hope you found some use from this, but it is only one view out of many.
Hello. I'm new on the site and do not have time to post a concern or question right now, but I look forward to doing so in the near future. I just wanted to say thanks for the comments and suggestions posted from 8/31/02-9/05/02. They make you feel like your not alone in this(what seems like a) constant battle with anxiety and panic.
I get the pvcs that feel like someone hit me in the chest too - sometimes they are painful just for the second that they skip the beat - my dr says they cant be painful - its my imagination. Where do some of these guys come from? I switched drs of course - but GEEZ _ I think we know the difference between pain and a normal 'skip' / and the ones that feel like someone hit me in the chest are painless, but they are so strong it feels like my heart grew to abnormal porportions then decided to squeeze it all out at one time...best way to describe it I guess - scares the beans out of me. Anyone else gets these feel free to email me! ***@**** -
Hi there,
I have had the panic and anxitey attach. I agree they will scare you like crazy. I had the worse one sunday Sept1,02 and went to the Er. done blood work and things came back normal. went to family doctor for a follow up and redone blood work for thyroid.
I take Liptor for high cholestrol and thyroid. She also gave me hydroxyzine pam 25 mg. Told her I will keep it on hand if I can't fight them on my own. I hate take so much stuff together.
I'm also on a fluid pill and prozac.
Er. gave me meclizine while in the ER and a prescription to take home. THank God! so far I haven't had to take any. Any information that you can share please write me at ***@****
I have had the panic and anxitey attach. I agree they will scare you like crazy. I had the worse one sunday Sept1,02 and went to the Er. done blood work and things came back normal. went to family doctor for a follow up and redone blood work for thyroid.
I take Liptor for high cholestrol and thyroid. She also gave me hydroxyzine pam 25 mg. Told her I will keep it on hand if I can't fight them on my own. I hate take so much stuff together.
I'm also on a fluid pill and prozac.
Er. gave me meclizine while in the ER and a prescription to take home. THank God! so far I haven't had to take any. Any information that you can share please write me at ***@****
My one word of warning is to be persistent when you visit your doctor about heart palpitations that concern you. I wasn't suitably persistent and accepted my GP's suggestion of anxiety/panic despite the fact my life was generally stress free and I had reduced my caffeine intake. The one key sign to me was that my ONLY worry was my heart palpitations and no other life events were troubling me at all.
HI ALL!!
I love coming to this site and listening to all you and your woes of these awful flutters in your chest. I know how this is all so damn scarey. I to panic often when these come on. I have to say I am 37 and feel just plain old. I panic when I come out of the gym fearing that there going to come on and I am 30 minutes from getting home. I have panic now not just anxiety. I have a appt with the cardiologist next week and fear that even! Go figure, the one who may help I fear!! I have lots of episodes since I was very young, now they have increased and I hate it. I have read some of the archive's and that has helped some. But let me tell you.. If you dont have a perscription for zanex, Get it!! Just knowing that i have something that will help to calm me down helps so so much. I have that control over my panic. I am an areobics instructor and teach a very early morning class. This is my true love! I love to work out and watch people want to live healthy live's. Now that I have these pvc's my workout has slowed down. Thanks for taking the time to write your comments you are all saving me : )
I love coming to this site and listening to all you and your woes of these awful flutters in your chest. I know how this is all so damn scarey. I to panic often when these come on. I have to say I am 37 and feel just plain old. I panic when I come out of the gym fearing that there going to come on and I am 30 minutes from getting home. I have panic now not just anxiety. I have a appt with the cardiologist next week and fear that even! Go figure, the one who may help I fear!! I have lots of episodes since I was very young, now they have increased and I hate it. I have read some of the archive's and that has helped some. But let me tell you.. If you dont have a perscription for zanex, Get it!! Just knowing that i have something that will help to calm me down helps so so much. I have that control over my panic. I am an areobics instructor and teach a very early morning class. This is my true love! I love to work out and watch people want to live healthy live's. Now that I have these pvc's my workout has slowed down. Thanks for taking the time to write your comments you are all saving me : )
We should start our own site, pvc's never use to bother me either but now they can cause an anxiety attack.. they make you miserable.. alcohol and tobacca do make them come on or worse.
Sometimes I get them from bending over or laying my arms across my chest while sitting...
Sometimes I get them from bending over or laying my arms across my chest while sitting...
I know it is crazy that something as simple as crossing your arms on your chest would cause those. I thought I was the only one. It is so nice that everyone is so supportive
I too don't enjoy pvc's,pac's, svt's and chest pain, Which brings on anxiety.
Do you have MVP ?
Have you seeked any treatments for this ?
Any Intergrative treatments ?
Do you have MVP ?
Have you seeked any treatments for this ?
Any Intergrative treatments ?
Scott--
I get the thumps, too!
I hate the thumps most of all! Somtimes it's like someone hit me with a fist in the chest. Everytime I tell a new cardiologist (changes in insurance, moves, etc.) they just look at me. I always expect them to be alarmed. I know it's good that they aren't but it annoys me that they think I should be comfortable when I get a fist in my heart from time to time!!
I get the thumps, too!
I hate the thumps most of all! Somtimes it's like someone hit me with a fist in the chest. Everytime I tell a new cardiologist (changes in insurance, moves, etc.) they just look at me. I always expect them to be alarmed. I know it's good that they aren't but it annoys me that they think I should be comfortable when I get a fist in my heart from time to time!!
Just thought I'd post an update. Saw the doc today, did an EKG, drew blood, listened to my heart for a few mins thru a stethoscope...Of course, I was incident free the entire time...Figures...came home, and felt anxious and experienced a few flutters....
Does anyone else experience the thump of a PVC both in the heart region on your chest as well as on your back? When they occur on my back, I find them to be much more disturbing...
I to have started getting palpitations and racing. I had had som of this years ago , but seems to have come back. My heart can skip and flutter for days at a time continually then it may not do anything for a month. Anything that I'm aware of anyway. Now its started racing. My doctor has started me on a low dose of atenolol. Does anyone else take this?
Shelly,
Yes, I also get a butterfly feeling in my chest. I can almost entirely attribute it to anxiety, because the other day, i was at a family BBQ, had a few drinks, sat among friends and family, and didnt notice a single skip, even though I might have been having them. I believe alot has to do with the perception and anxiety that you take into the situation.
Yes, I also get a butterfly feeling in my chest. I can almost entirely attribute it to anxiety, because the other day, i was at a family BBQ, had a few drinks, sat among friends and family, and didnt notice a single skip, even though I might have been having them. I believe alot has to do with the perception and anxiety that you take into the situation.
You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Forum
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.
