Re: PSVT or Panic Attack

Posted By Cynthia on November 24, 1998 at 20:01:51:

In Reply to: Re: PSVT or Panic Attack posted by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on November 24, 1998 at 10:52:49:






I am a 52 year old female and have recently been diagnosed with PSVT after a visit to the ER with a heart rate of 210bpm. Since the age of 28 I have experienced what I thought were panic attacks and have been on meds for anxiety since 1993. When I was diagnosed with PSVT I found out that this condition was commonly misdiagnosed as panic disorder. The symptoms for both seem to be the same. For example: palpations, rapid pulse, anxiety(feeling of impending doom), shortness of breath and chest tightness.
Now I am left wondering just how much of what I have experienced in the past years as panic attacks have actually been the PSVT.
My question is: can you experience any one single symptom alone such as shortness of breath or even a rapid pulse that is lower in range(110-120bpm) than the typical 150bpm and up, and still be the result of the PSVT.
I am taking toprol for the tachycardia but It makes me sleepy and sluggish and I still have an occasional daily flutter. I have seen a EP specialist and am considering RV ablation. I admit that I am terrified of the prospects of a 2-6 hour procedure. I am open to any suggestions or recommendations. In recent years what I believed to be, the panic/anxiety disorder, has become more disrupted. If I thought that even 25% of the so-called panic attacks were actually a PSVT episode I would have the ablation done tomorrow.
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Dear Cynthia,
Thak you for your question.   I'm not sure if there is a definate way to sort out if all of your episodes have been due to PSVT or if you also have panic attacks.  I doubt you would have significant symptoms with a heart rate of only 120 but it is possible.  You might consider having the ablation and then if the symptoms continue have further evaluation for treatment of panic disorder
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