Re: Anxiety & Arrhythmias!

Posted By Lynn on May 12, 1999 at 13:21:43
~* Hello,I am a 20 year old female and have an anxiety disorder & mitral valve prolapse.
I have been dealing with this since 1995. I see my cardiologist next month
but I feel my questions cannot wait. I am really scared about the way I constantly feel. There isn't a moment when I don't think about my heart. I have become obsessed about it. I have had echocardiograms & EKG's. There is shown to be premature beats(I feel like my heart stops& restarts),mitral-valve prolapse(which has been linked to anxiety), and sinus tachycardia. Lately though ( especially after a panic attack) I feel my heart "spasm".I just read an article yesterday about atrial fibrillation and am wondering if this is what I felt. Since a major panic attack on Sunday, I have noticed this feeling often. When I move my arms above my head I notice my heartbeat gets irregular.When I stand up fron sitting my heart races & becomes irregular but then after a few seconds becomes better. Should I be feeling all this at my age? It started when I was 16.(when I was little my heart always beat fast & I could see the movement through my shirt) It should be noted that my father died of a sudden heart attack at the age of 46. He had a mild heart murmur.I know this post is long but I would really like a reply or advice! Does this problem need to be checked out immediately? I don't want to seem too neurotic.I think doctors should research more on the effect anxiety has on the heart.  Thank You. ~*

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on May 12, 1999 at 13:26:42
Dear Lynn,

There is definately a stong component of anxiety and palpitations and this is one area that can be worked on to improve the palpitations.  I highly doubt you are having atrial fibrillation although the cardiologist may want to investigate further.  Most likely these are all benign (non-harmful) and nothing to worry about.  
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.  The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.

[Cathy__0__0]

Posted By Cathy on May 17, 1999 at 11:58:29
I am a 38 year old female. I have also been diagnosed with PVCs, related primarily to stress.  At first I was prescribed 10 mg of Inderol per day, with 1-2 Xananx per day as needed, for anxiety.  When that did not take care of the palpitations, I was put on 25mg of Atenelol per day (take another one if needed).  I continue to take Xanax to keep the anxiety as low as possible.  I have been on the Atenolol for nearly one week and have found that it is not stopping the palpitations.  Even with the Xanax, when your heart is pounding all day long, it is almost impossible NOT to feel anxiety.  It is certain to contribute to the problem....but how can you NOT feel anxiety when you know that something is wacky in your heart?  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on May 17, 1999 at 16:54:06
Dear Cathy,
Have some patience.  One week is not a very long time to decide that a medication is not working.  In addition 25 mg of atenolol is still a small dose.  I would suggest following up with your doctor closely and gradually increasing the atenolol as he directs.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.  The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.











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