Obsession with Heart Rate/Tachycardia

[malita]

I suffer from tachycardia due to anxiety and panic and my resting pulse is anywhere from 96 - 112bpm at the moment.  I am sure the anxiety is still "hanging" around because of my fear and obsession with my heart rate.  How can I lower it normally, and also get over my obsession?  I find myself taking my pulse all the time and if it is too high, I start to panic - which of course makes it go up.  This is really frustrating, and all I want, is to live a normal life again.  This all happened after admittance to hospital with ST 15 months ago, where my heart rate at one stage went up to 220bpm (started with palpatations, which scared me to bits, and then up when my heart rate).  They said nothing is wrong with my heart, but I can't get that off my mind - surely if my heart rate is so high all the time, it can't be normal?  Even though the cardiologist has said there is "nothing sinister to report"....All tests they performed were fine (blood tests for heart attack, thyroid etc.).

Thanks for your assistance, and I appreciate any comments anyone else can offer to help me get over my obsession.

[Kuhndog1976]

A related discussion, Benign Tachycardia was started.

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear Marion,

Thank you for sharing your experiences.

[CF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear chris,

Thank you for sharing your experiences.

[chris]

I am an anxiety/panic attack survivor myself, and can really relate to the "obsession" with pulse rate you describe (I used to go around with my fingers shoved into my neck to check on it -- you know how it is!).  I have MVP and PVCs.  But here is what got them under control (and subsequently a lot of my rhythm problems):  1.  counseling, with training in biofeedback 2. full heart workup (for reassurance) 3. supplements like CoenzymeQ10, flaxseed, magnesium.  4.  limited alcohol intake (especially in the sun -- NEVER do that.  The biofeedback uses the mind/body response in our favor (for a change!), and the counseling helps you face those fears.  Now I know what to do when I feel those feelings/sensations coming on and they de-fuse instead of spiralling out of control.  As a sign of how well it worked:  I am now a coffee drinker and do public speaking regularly (although there's where anxiety is normal, eh?)  It did take 2-3 years to do - it is a process, but it can be done!

[Marion]

Malita, I too suffer with anxiety and panic attacks.  My pulse rate is always in the 90's.  I had an atrial flutter attack two years ago and even though I had the ablation procedure to fix it it still have panic attacks any my heart races.  even when i don't realize i am having anxiety.  I feel your pain. I too wish there was something I could do, but from what I keep hearing unless we can get the anxity and panics under control we are just out there.  Good luck.

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear Malita,

thank you for your comments.

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Thank you to all for your comments.

[malita]

Forgot to add, ST is Sinus Tachycardia.  They thought it was SVT, which is something to do with one of the valves or something (can't remember now), but because of the way it responded to the meds they gave me, they decided it was ST, which from what I understand, is much better than SVT.  I know the heart rate went up to 220, as the ambulance staff had me monitored at the time.  As for the beta blockers, apparently, I can't take them, as I have been on nebulisers before and they won't give them to you if you have had any sort of asthma type condition.  So, hence my "natural way of slowing the heart rate".  But I agree, it is scary to think about doing exercise, when you're trying to get your heart rate down, and exercise just increases it.  Anyway, hope to hear from you soon - and you too, Gordon - if you'd like.

[malita]

Hi Pd, I'd love to communicate with you more.  And thanks to everyone who has replied.  It's awesome.  To know you're not alone, is half the battle, I'm sure.  :)  Anyway, my email address is ***@**** - and thanks.  :)

[g]

I'm taking atenolol just now ... tried propranolol for ages but figured it made me excessively weak.  I didn't mean to make my advice sound easy ... i'm dealing with the fact that it's seriously difficult every day of my life ... hehehe ... anyway, mail me at g_haywood***@**** if you'd like to communicate more.

Gord.

[pd]

You make it sound so easy....but exercising scares me because I'm afraid it will make my problem worse, especially when my heart is already racing....I know I am terribly out of shape and the least bit of exercise sends my heart soaring....but I will give it a shot and see if it helps any.  I am trying to walk a little each night, but if I walk too late and then go to bed my heart is pounding so much I can't sleep.  Did you try a beta blocker?  My dr. gave me a prescription for topral but I'm even scared to try it...now moreso because my allergy office had a sign telling people to notify them if you start taking beta blockers....some kind of reaction you can have with them and the shots...

[pd]

I could have written this same message.  You sound just like me and I know exactly how you are feeling.  I woke up out of a dead sleep one night and my heart was racing so fast I could not even count that fast. I laid there for 1 hour trying to decide if I should go to the ER. The palipatations were awful.  Finally it settled down but I was terrified.  Now I can't get it off my mind.  I am obsessed with the fact that something is wrong with me, however, my dr. says I am fine, just need to work on the anxiety.  You said you were sent to the hospital with ST..what is that?  I can't believe your heart could go to 220 without causing damage, but mine sure felt that fast too. Mr dr. says as long as you don't have any heart disease the heart can handle a fast rate with no damage.  He gave me a beta blocker to take but I don't know if I'm ready to start taking heart medication....I keep telling myself it is just panic and anxiety and I don't need heart med....but on the other hand I always keep thinking something has to be wrong or it wouldn't do this....If you would like to email let me know..sounds like we have alot in common.
Pd

[g]

Exercise is totally the key ... it's easy to say and so hard to do but it's THE BEST way to beat this sort of problem ... the key to success is not to over-do it though and accept it will take time ... there is no overnight cure ... to start with your body may be too stressed to take serious exercise ... so start slow ... just walking ... little by little increase the intensity ... be careful on good days not to overdo it ... stick to a routine ... at my worst i've come close to black out with my heart pahing it's upper limit well over 200bpm ... severe stress can do that ... but equally i've had an exercise stress test which took my heart over 200bpm with no ill effects ... the heart is designed to do that sort of stuff however un-natural it may feel ... get a thorough medical check-up ... if there's no problems start the exercise thing ... a low dose beta-blocker might be useful ... try it and see ... eat well ... get alot of sleep ... honelstly, your biggest problem is fear of fear ... fear of the symptoms ... once your exercising properly (say in 3 to 6 months or so in my experience) you'll feel like a new person ... but i believe the exercise has to be for life ... it's great at preventing a relapse.

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear Malita,

As far as lowering heart rate naturally, first avoid caffeine.  You may want to try some biofeedback methods for controlling your heart rate.  It does sound like your anxiety provokes these rhythms.

[Cory]

hello,

I hear ya, I have had stress disorders for a long time, nothing helped, untill i went to a doctor who took me aside, he said...."you have nothing to fear but fear it self", he said to me, when you feel this coming on...jog, run, do push ups, push your self a little......i did, it slowley worked itself out, i felt less worried and that is the key......I still get checked for palpataions.....by and large Im fine now...I hope this helps...its a terrable thing.

good luck !