Heart arrhythmia Panic attacks connection

[fjohn]

With a history of panic attacks about 5 years ago and having the same symptoms (heart palpitations, chills, feeling of dread), I went to my doctor on January 2nd, 2007. I wanted to confirm that my heart was fine so that I could then see my psychiatrist and focus on the panic stuff.
Quickly, my doctor after listening to my heart proceeded to give me an EKG and sent me over immediately to a cardiologist. This was not a panic attack according to my doctor and the cardiologist. I was put on Warfarin, Cartia and had to inject myself with Lovenox in the stomach and am still well-bruised all over my stomach. A few days later, I had an Echo and the results will be known next Tuesday.
I'm still in shock thinking that it is not a panic attack. I believe the two (arrhythmia and panic are very much related) and one triggers the other.
I know there are more test results to examine, but has anyone experienced similar crossover between mental and physical health? Can I quiet the heart with some stronger anti-anxiety medications ( I take Lexapro now) until my heart goes back into rhythm?
Thank you.

Fred

[kitcurious]

Even people with panic attacks can get physical illnesses.

If the medical docs hear a potential problem it's best to listen to them. You theory is interesting, but my guess is that panic is not the cause if you have an underlying cardiac issue. Though I suppose it could make a person with a cardiac problem feel worse or be more vulnerable.

Hope your test comes back clear.

[anacyde]

Anxiety can trigger all sorts of things, and all sorts of things can trigger anxiety.  There is overlap, cause and effect and a cyclical issue.  I'm sorry to hear you're going through all of that, and I hope you have some answers soon.

[fjohn]

Thank you very much. I appreciate your well wishes. When I find out more, I will keep you posted. I laughed tonight watchind a movie on TV. Sure felt good. I know that my reaction to the heart beats makes a world of difference. If I think of it as my heart "dancing" I have lots of freedom.

I have had this since January 2nd and it seems eternity. There is a lesson here and this is happening for a reason.

Fred

[anacyde]

I think you hit the nail on the head.  When my panic attacks began back in 1999, I wasn't enjoying life.  I was constantly tense, totally stressed out and living on edge.  I had no real reason to be like that either, I was was.  Developing panic attacks gave me a newfound appreciation for the freedom of my "old life", pre-panic, and fighting as hard as I did to get that back - after being convinced I wouldn't - certainly gave me a new appreciation for the little things...like laughing at a good movie on TV :)

Your positive thinking will get you a long, long way in getting through whatever life throws your way.

On an interesting side-yet-related note, I did eventually develop a heart problem which was entirely unrelated to my palpitations.  My second pregnancy caused my heart to enlarge and my heart function to decline some.  My worst fears were always medical!  What I found amazing was my strength, especially since I had to wait seven months for a definitive answer on the cause (pregnancy related cardiomegaly will often resolve, while others won't in many cases).  I was lucky.  The wierd thing is, during those seven months, I lived.  I did things I wouldn't have done before (not foolish things, I went on the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls for example...I never had, always was afraid to).  By October when I had my follow-up, my heart was all healed and my function was better than my doc had ever seen it.  It's amazing what less stress can do!  It made me stronger all around, and made me realize life is for living, not just for existing in.  So I agree that everything happens for a reason, and if we're willing to look for it, we'll find peace in it somehow.

[iAmEllen]

My panic disorder began over 10 years ago in response to weird things my heart was doing.  I was so panicky that nobody bothered to try to investigate my heart symptoms and brushed it all off as psychiatric.  Well, 10 years later I went to the ER while in arrhythmia and was diagnosed.  So, yes, they definitely overlap for many reasons, in many cases.

Interestingly, although I have a real heart arrhythmia, when I treat my anxiety my heart is much calmer and I have many less palpitations and episodes of arrhythmia.  When I go off of my meds, my heart issues flare up as my anxiety returns.

[fearfactor]

I've had panic attacks since I was 12 - I have always noticed myself having heart palpitations but my aunt (who also has panic disorder) said it's normal and it's just anxiety so I never worried about it til I was around 30 years old and started getting them more frequently. I was going thru a period of extreme stress and had been taking panax ginseng and started having daily, hard heart palps. It scared me to death. Now that I think back, I have probably always had palps but just never paid them that much attention until recently. I can remember drinking espresso and having my heart pound and flutter - I just chalked it up to the strong coffee. I also used to take ephedrine and exercise quite hard. I can't believe the palps didn't terrify me then and I wonder why now all of a sudden!

[fjohn]

You are all my heroes, such courage in the face of fear. It is fascinating that it wasn't so for you the event like palpitations that was significant, as it was your perception of what was happening that mattered. You know if I initially went to a psychiatrist and explained my symptoms, I might have been on anti-anxiety meds instead of receiving a EKG and awaiting the results of an Echo.
I have found that as far as the anxiety which I associate with arrhythmia that I have to live in the moment.That is all I have. I do worse when I start looking way ahed of myself and then playing "what if" games. How do you manage the anxiety associated with arrhythmia? How are the nights and sleep going?
Deep breaths are my gift to myself. I seem to be able to reach way down and say to myself "Yes" upon exhaling.
If there were lessons that you took and are taking from the challenges that this presents, can you tell me about them?
I admire you all!