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can heart issues lead to suicide/depression?
im copying and pasting from my older post... so you have an idea of my "heart issues" im not trying to be dramatic or all "poor me" but i am due to have my 2nd child anyday now and i have a beautifully daughter who i love more than anything and my significant other is amazing, and worries about me, and loves me, and tries to help. IM SICK OF DR's, im tired of feeling this way everyday. i really cant live like this i feel like there is no hope and i just cry everynight. my bf works nights so he is gone 12 hrs and i cant sleep without him here becuase i am scared to die in my sleep. Im sick of living like this. i feel like my whole life is just gone and im only 25...i see no end in sight and i feel im just gonna keep going to dr's like i have been and just wind up dead from cardiac arrest, and no one is helping me in the meantime. i feel miserable and im worried im gonna become depressed/suicidal because of this. i have so much to live for but the fear of my heart stopping veryday is really getting to me.
Im really to my wits end and have no clue what to do anymore. i dont even know if this is the right place to post but i want to talk to anyone that knows how i feel right about now. I am 25yr old female, i have a beautiful 3 yr old, she is my LIFE, and i am 9 months preg with baby boy! if it werent for my children i seriously would have no "hope" or positive outlook on life anymore. I have been going to dr's for 3 yrs now, the order as follows, primary dr, a few er visits, cardiologist, a few more er visits, psychiatrist, therapist, neurologist. Im so sick of it i cant deal anymore.
life started going downhill fast after my emergency c section with my daughter. as i lay in bed afterwards i kept telling the nurses and drs that my chest hurt terribly, i couldnt breathe and i could feel this strange pressure/tickling feeling with each heartbeat all the time especially when in a lying down position. they all said i was fine. for the next 2 1/2 years or so i dealt with this horrible feeling, on top of very bad pvc's occuring every 3 beats. I would make people put their ear to my chest cause they didn't believe me that my heart would stop. and when it "stopped" they just looked at me like i was gonna drop dead or something. i was living in constant fear and panic. i developed anxiety, fear of being alone because i thought i was going to die, and very very bad panic disorder , that would cause severe panic attacks multipe times daily i was on so much medications for the panic disorder, then they assumed i was bipolar, my cardiologist had me on toprol and i was going in for tests all the time.
i know there is problems with my heart!!!! but its like none of the dr's think its serious because they say im too young to have problems. well here it is.........
I have "hole in my heart in the upper two chambers, some septo something defect....i have mitral valve prolaps, sinus tachacardia, (my heart gets stuck on race mode and i end up in the emergency room so they can stop it.....it just wont stop on it own, an irregular heart rhythm, heart murmur, i have pvc's that are the worst thing in the world , i assume thats what they are i feel like im dying when i get them , my heart thuds and stops and i need to sit up quickly of move to make it start again. i cant sleep anymore because the pvc's are sooooooooo BAD!!!!!! every few beats, i cant breathe, i get dizzy, i know its more than a pvc.....
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THIS STUFF MEANS??
i had an ekg done while having sinus tachacardia of 151 bpm, and then it slowed to 105 i have no clue how to read those things and all across the top it said, irregular rhythm, no p wave found, ventricular premature complexes.., (pvc's) , st & t abnormality, consider anterolateral ischemia or left ventricular strain, and inferior ischemia or left ventricular strain....my second ekg afterwards said.........sinus tachacardia, st & t abnormality, consider high lateral ischemia, or left ventricular strain, inferior ischemia or left ventricular strain
.
im so tired of this i cant keep doing this for years not knowing whats going on with my heart can anyone tell me whats going on? my cardio just says im too young to "die" from these irregularities and they are nothing serious?? doesnt make sense. i cant take the toprol because i am pregnant and very worried about it but im worried about labor and not surviving it. ALL of these problems started after my daughters birth ....c section. why? my whole family is worried , and im driving everyone nuts cause i cant be left alone at home cause im scared of dying and no one knowing. can someone put my mind at ease? or offer advice?
now i am on toprol and when i lay down i get this pressure feeling as if someone is holding tight to my heart and preventing it from beating, my heart pauses for a while then beats...then the pressure comes back and then it pauses again, until i sit up,...i get this while standing sitting..also...i lay down i feel like i cant breathe, like there is so much pressure in my chest i cant breathe and my heart cant beat .....i dont understand this
Im really to my wits end and have no clue what to do anymore. i dont even know if this is the right place to post but i want to talk to anyone that knows how i feel right about now. I am 25yr old female, i have a beautiful 3 yr old, she is my LIFE, and i am 9 months preg with baby boy! if it werent for my children i seriously would have no "hope" or positive outlook on life anymore. I have been going to dr's for 3 yrs now, the order as follows, primary dr, a few er visits, cardiologist, a few more er visits, psychiatrist, therapist, neurologist. Im so sick of it i cant deal anymore.
life started going downhill fast after my emergency c section with my daughter. as i lay in bed afterwards i kept telling the nurses and drs that my chest hurt terribly, i couldnt breathe and i could feel this strange pressure/tickling feeling with each heartbeat all the time especially when in a lying down position. they all said i was fine. for the next 2 1/2 years or so i dealt with this horrible feeling, on top of very bad pvc's occuring every 3 beats. I would make people put their ear to my chest cause they didn't believe me that my heart would stop. and when it "stopped" they just looked at me like i was gonna drop dead or something. i was living in constant fear and panic. i developed anxiety, fear of being alone because i thought i was going to die, and very very bad panic disorder , that would cause severe panic attacks multipe times daily i was on so much medications for the panic disorder, then they assumed i was bipolar, my cardiologist had me on toprol and i was going in for tests all the time.
i know there is problems with my heart!!!! but its like none of the dr's think its serious because they say im too young to have problems. well here it is.........
I have "hole in my heart in the upper two chambers, some septo something defect....i have mitral valve prolaps, sinus tachacardia, (my heart gets stuck on race mode and i end up in the emergency room so they can stop it.....it just wont stop on it own, an irregular heart rhythm, heart murmur, i have pvc's that are the worst thing in the world , i assume thats what they are i feel like im dying when i get them , my heart thuds and stops and i need to sit up quickly of move to make it start again. i cant sleep anymore because the pvc's are sooooooooo BAD!!!!!! every few beats, i cant breathe, i get dizzy, i know its more than a pvc.....
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THIS STUFF MEANS??
i had an ekg done while having sinus tachacardia of 151 bpm, and then it slowed to 105 i have no clue how to read those things and all across the top it said, irregular rhythm, no p wave found, ventricular premature complexes.., (pvc's) , st & t abnormality, consider anterolateral ischemia or left ventricular strain, and inferior ischemia or left ventricular strain....my second ekg afterwards said.........sinus tachacardia, st & t abnormality, consider high lateral ischemia, or left ventricular strain, inferior ischemia or left ventricular strain
.
im so tired of this i cant keep doing this for years not knowing whats going on with my heart can anyone tell me whats going on? my cardio just says im too young to "die" from these irregularities and they are nothing serious?? doesnt make sense. i cant take the toprol because i am pregnant and very worried about it but im worried about labor and not surviving it. ALL of these problems started after my daughters birth ....c section. why? my whole family is worried , and im driving everyone nuts cause i cant be left alone at home cause im scared of dying and no one knowing. can someone put my mind at ease? or offer advice?
now i am on toprol and when i lay down i get this pressure feeling as if someone is holding tight to my heart and preventing it from beating, my heart pauses for a while then beats...then the pressure comes back and then it pauses again, until i sit up,...i get this while standing sitting..also...i lay down i feel like i cant breathe, like there is so much pressure in my chest i cant breathe and my heart cant beat .....i dont understand this
She did mention she was having her baby "anyday now" and she initially posted this on the 30th of December. So I bet she's busy with her two kids, its actually a good sign, it kinna means she's forgetting about this. As you all know "Distract yourself with choirs or any activities, then you'll surely go through Anxiety and Panic attacks way lesser than before! Enjoy your lives people, you have only one to live!! Do all the happy stuff :)
Ciao, Kyle
Ciao, Kyle
Yikes, didn't know SVT can hit that high! It actually makes me feel less anxious about nsvt. Thanks for your follow-up.
I agree. Please take note the rate you said of 120; v-tach tends to run into lower rates (usually between 120-140) because when those rates run too high the ventricles cannot keep up and the ventricles go into V-Fib which is life threatening. What you are describing is NON-SUSTAINED V-tach. On a short burst, the rate may be high, but it can't hold those rates. Non-sustained V-tach is is not that significant in the scheme of things; even people with severe heart disease can tolerate NSVT to some degree. Fully sustained V-tach tends to run at slower rates. SVT rates can be as high as 400-450 bpm.
Hi grendslori, I'm confused by your follow-up. I've had v-tach (nsvt), and run at rates peaking to 250s when it happens. Vtach tends to run 120-250.
I think bottom line, and my main point is, trying to classify a tachycardia simply by the rate is a dangerous diagnosis guide. The tach should be examined on EKG and wave intervals need to be properly analyzed.
I think bottom line, and my main point is, trying to classify a tachycardia simply by the rate is a dangerous diagnosis guide. The tach should be examined on EKG and wave intervals need to be properly analyzed.
You don't know about the article. Having worked as an EKG Supervisor what you are writing about in reference to rates is not what I was trained to believe. I do understand that SUPRA refers to 'above the ventricles'. Ventricular tachycardias tend to run slower than the supraventricular rates.
Hi Grendslori,
SVT is not defined by a rate. SVT means 'SUPRA'ventricular tachycardia. Its means any tachycardic rhythm originating above the ventricles. Sinus tach is a subgroup of all the various forms of SVT.
There are 3 sources for SVT: sinoatrial, atrial, and atrioventricular. Sinus tach falls under the sinoatrial group.
SA rates can easily get to 200. Anything above that, ventricular sources start to become suspect.
Wikipedia has a good article on it if you want to confirm.
SVT is not defined by a rate. SVT means 'SUPRA'ventricular tachycardia. Its means any tachycardic rhythm originating above the ventricles. Sinus tach is a subgroup of all the various forms of SVT.
There are 3 sources for SVT: sinoatrial, atrial, and atrioventricular. Sinus tach falls under the sinoatrial group.
SA rates can easily get to 200. Anything above that, ventricular sources start to become suspect.
Wikipedia has a good article on it if you want to confirm.
Rates of 160 on EKG would be considered SVT at it's lowest rate and it makes sense that v-tach runs at a lower rate; generally it does. SVT start in the upper chambers and those rates are always faster. I'm a little confused by what you wrote as I had already said that SVT starts at rates of 160.
I get svt and slow v-tach at rates between 150 and 160 confirmed by ekg`s and my ICD.
To Formulatype You got some good advice from above. Try to get a handle on your anxiety and find what they can do to treat your heart. it`s not easy to learn to live with arrhythmia`s but It can be done.
To Formulatype You got some good advice from above. Try to get a handle on your anxiety and find what they can do to treat your heart. it`s not easy to learn to live with arrhythmia`s but It can be done.
I was probably the one who mentioned something about Sinus Tachycardia not being SVT. Sinus tachycardias are rates starting at 100 beats per minute, up to 160 per minute. SVT starts at 160 beats per minute and runs at a much higher rates. The OP had rates of around 150 which would still fall into the Sinus Tachycardia range; those rates aren't considered high enough to be classified as SVT.
Someone up yonder mentioned that Sinus Tach isn't SVT, however sinus tach is a form of SVT.
Formulatype, the sinus tach is probably being caused by your panic attacks. 150s is not very high for tach, IMHO.
Reading your post, I get the impression that you've been in what I would call the "crisis mode" of panic disorder for some time. Once you have your baby there are plenty of medicines that can help you get this under control while you get a more permanent solution in place, I'd suggest a very structured cognitive behavior therapy program.
As for the PVCs, you're going to have to learn to get comfy with them. I'll try to explain what they are and perhaps that will help.
What's causing your PVCs is something called "Enhanced automaticity". Enhanced automaticity means that an ectopic focus of pacemaker cells in your ventricle(s) have a subthreshold potential for firing. Did you know that there are pacemaker cells in your ventricles? Why is that? Well, nature built in a backup system in case the ventricles fail to get a signal from the AV node to beat.
When these ventricular pacers fire because they didn't get a signal, it's called an "escape beat". That's not what you are getting so don't think there's a sinus rhythm issue. We know from your sinus tach that your SA node works quite well.
So what happens when the pacers fire when they aren't needed? A PVC or ectopic beat and it can feel very uncomfortable, much more uncomfortable than an escape beat.
So you get PVCs, one thing we can say is your ventricular pacers work well, a little too well. Enhanced automaticity means they are basically a bit hyper for some reason. Certain foods can make them do this, hormones, caffeine, stimulants...
Your fear of sudden cardiac death because of your PVCs is not founded in the literature at all. In fact, your risk of SCD is the same as the general population. In some cases I've heard medical folks talk about how people that did have SCD never complained to their family or went to a doctor for an arrhythmia their entire life. Perhaps people that never felt a PVC have thresholds that are too low? If I had to pick between too low and too high, I'd pick too high and live with the PVCs.
I know it's not going to be easy, but start to work on making yourself believe that these feelings are fine. Once you have the baby, I would have a med strategy ready to go to deal with any post partum issues and bridge you until you get into a CBT program. Talk to your doctor and start coming up with strategies now.
For the beta blocker, don't put any faith on that. I think beta blockers are junk for most PVCs. They made mine worse and I hear this feedback all the time. For some they might help, others it doesn't.
It seems like all your doctors have been turfing you around. None of them are probably in communication. If you can get your PCP to talk to your cardiologist, perhaps they will get you to the help you need. Stay strong, you can get a handle on this. If I could, anyone can, I'm a gigantic whiner - whimp :-)
Formulatype, the sinus tach is probably being caused by your panic attacks. 150s is not very high for tach, IMHO.
Reading your post, I get the impression that you've been in what I would call the "crisis mode" of panic disorder for some time. Once you have your baby there are plenty of medicines that can help you get this under control while you get a more permanent solution in place, I'd suggest a very structured cognitive behavior therapy program.
As for the PVCs, you're going to have to learn to get comfy with them. I'll try to explain what they are and perhaps that will help.
What's causing your PVCs is something called "Enhanced automaticity". Enhanced automaticity means that an ectopic focus of pacemaker cells in your ventricle(s) have a subthreshold potential for firing. Did you know that there are pacemaker cells in your ventricles? Why is that? Well, nature built in a backup system in case the ventricles fail to get a signal from the AV node to beat.
When these ventricular pacers fire because they didn't get a signal, it's called an "escape beat". That's not what you are getting so don't think there's a sinus rhythm issue. We know from your sinus tach that your SA node works quite well.
So what happens when the pacers fire when they aren't needed? A PVC or ectopic beat and it can feel very uncomfortable, much more uncomfortable than an escape beat.
So you get PVCs, one thing we can say is your ventricular pacers work well, a little too well. Enhanced automaticity means they are basically a bit hyper for some reason. Certain foods can make them do this, hormones, caffeine, stimulants...
Your fear of sudden cardiac death because of your PVCs is not founded in the literature at all. In fact, your risk of SCD is the same as the general population. In some cases I've heard medical folks talk about how people that did have SCD never complained to their family or went to a doctor for an arrhythmia their entire life. Perhaps people that never felt a PVC have thresholds that are too low? If I had to pick between too low and too high, I'd pick too high and live with the PVCs.
I know it's not going to be easy, but start to work on making yourself believe that these feelings are fine. Once you have the baby, I would have a med strategy ready to go to deal with any post partum issues and bridge you until you get into a CBT program. Talk to your doctor and start coming up with strategies now.
For the beta blocker, don't put any faith on that. I think beta blockers are junk for most PVCs. They made mine worse and I hear this feedback all the time. For some they might help, others it doesn't.
It seems like all your doctors have been turfing you around. None of them are probably in communication. If you can get your PCP to talk to your cardiologist, perhaps they will get you to the help you need. Stay strong, you can get a handle on this. If I could, anyone can, I'm a gigantic whiner - whimp :-)
Formulatype- Calm down. Have they suggested getting the hole in your heart fixed?
Look they way I came through my peripartum cardiomyopathy with SVT in 1997 was taking control of the situation. If you feel your cardiologist is not taking your seriously then you find someone else. Get copies of your tests. Research what you have and what are the treatments for it the talk to your cardiologist.
Pregnancy puts a lot on the heart so once the baby is born your heart wouldn't have the same stress so you'll feel better. But I would would get stuff with heart completely taken care of before getting pregnant again.
It seems that if something horrible was to happen it would have by now, so relax but take control of the situation and get it sorted out so that you can be confident and relaxed that your heart is good.
Look they way I came through my peripartum cardiomyopathy with SVT in 1997 was taking control of the situation. If you feel your cardiologist is not taking your seriously then you find someone else. Get copies of your tests. Research what you have and what are the treatments for it the talk to your cardiologist.
Pregnancy puts a lot on the heart so once the baby is born your heart wouldn't have the same stress so you'll feel better. But I would would get stuff with heart completely taken care of before getting pregnant again.
It seems that if something horrible was to happen it would have by now, so relax but take control of the situation and get it sorted out so that you can be confident and relaxed that your heart is good.
You ask a good question. I assumed it was some kind of atrial tach that had to be converted, probably with medication. Sinus tach will resolve on its own. Unless they gave some anxiety medication that calmed the OP so the heart rate came down with it. That's just not the impression I got from the message. Or maybe I'm biased towards arrhythmias since I've lived with them all my life. Normal sinus tach isn't really a medical issue.
Formulatype: the symptoms of a panic attack are almost identical to heart attack. My husband had a panic attack a couple years ago. Considering his age (mid 50's) and the symptoms, the ER folks treated him as if he was having a heart attack, even gave him nitro. But all the blood work and testing showed absolutely nothing. They finally realized it was simply anxiety. So it can be quite debilitating and that's why it's important to get treatment for that as well as the heart issues.
Formulatype: the symptoms of a panic attack are almost identical to heart attack. My husband had a panic attack a couple years ago. Considering his age (mid 50's) and the symptoms, the ER folks treated him as if he was having a heart attack, even gave him nitro. But all the blood work and testing showed absolutely nothing. They finally realized it was simply anxiety. So it can be quite debilitating and that's why it's important to get treatment for that as well as the heart issues.
The last two posts are good advice for you. You are anxious and you need to get help with that as soon as possible.If cardiac doctors have worked you up thoroughly and you are not satisfied, then who else would you go to? Perhaps a research center or one with an excellent history of heart care, Cleveland is one of them but there are many around the US. Calm down the anxiety first through your OB, then take another step after your pregancy and postpartum period is over and then re-address the heart issues and get a clear understanding of the world of 'missed beats'. It's not a death sentence but they can be annoying and sometimes the best way to deal with them is by understanding them.I have concern for you with with a young child and another on the way and the environment you may be creating for them. There are many things that will happen in your life for which you have no control over and plenty you will have to just roll with the punches.Give your family and yourself some relief and get help for your immediate concerns which appear to be anxiety. Then you'll be able to better address the heart.Joan.
Maybe I'm wrong, did the OP say she had SVT; I thought she only mentioned her heart racing with a SINUS tachycardia which is not SVT. She also never said how the ER stopped her high rate; was it a true conversion with being shocked by paddles or was it a conversion with meds?
I've had arrhythmias all my life (yes, even as a child) and I'm now 57, raised 3 kids and had a busy life. I just share that so you know that having arrhythmias is not the end of living.
You mentioned a hole in your heart. Have they talked about patching it?
You mentioned SVT that needed to be converted in the hospital? Have they discussed an ablation with you?
You mention the pauses after PVC's. That is all part of the normal process of PVC's. The electrical signal comes a bit too early and so there is a pause as it resets itself. It's not a sign that you will die. If someone would just explain to you how the electrical system works in the heart, it might give you peace of mind.
Anxiety will trigger more rhythm problems. I'm fortunate not to have anxiety issues but any little stress will set mine off. Example: the other night I was dozing in bed and the phone rang. That little startle and burst of adrenalin set off my heart and it raced at 170. That's not my highest rate but it was irritating. So imagine hours of anxiety and panic, the effect it would have on your heart. Not happy at all.
As for the medication and pregnancy: hormones can make the arrhythmias worse for some people but it resolves after the baby is born. I didn't take heart meds during pregnancy because I worried about the harm it might do to my kids.
Some heart meds will make you feel terrible. I can't take Verapamil because it made me so exhausted, short of breath (I would pant if I walked across the room) and I had non-stop deep chest pain and pain down my legs. There are other meds out there you can try later that may help without so many side effects. But I found it's a trade off: which is worse - my goofy heart rhythms or the side effects of the medication? I went without meds for years. Now I'm back on Diltiazem to control my chest pains and it helps my arrhythmias to some extent as well.
So ask about the treatment plan for the hole in your heart, ask about trying a different medication, ask if an ablation would work for you and do see someone about your anxiety. I don't know which came first, the arrhythmia or the anxiety but you'll have to deal with both to feel better again.
You mentioned a hole in your heart. Have they talked about patching it?
You mentioned SVT that needed to be converted in the hospital? Have they discussed an ablation with you?
You mention the pauses after PVC's. That is all part of the normal process of PVC's. The electrical signal comes a bit too early and so there is a pause as it resets itself. It's not a sign that you will die. If someone would just explain to you how the electrical system works in the heart, it might give you peace of mind.
Anxiety will trigger more rhythm problems. I'm fortunate not to have anxiety issues but any little stress will set mine off. Example: the other night I was dozing in bed and the phone rang. That little startle and burst of adrenalin set off my heart and it raced at 170. That's not my highest rate but it was irritating. So imagine hours of anxiety and panic, the effect it would have on your heart. Not happy at all.
As for the medication and pregnancy: hormones can make the arrhythmias worse for some people but it resolves after the baby is born. I didn't take heart meds during pregnancy because I worried about the harm it might do to my kids.
Some heart meds will make you feel terrible. I can't take Verapamil because it made me so exhausted, short of breath (I would pant if I walked across the room) and I had non-stop deep chest pain and pain down my legs. There are other meds out there you can try later that may help without so many side effects. But I found it's a trade off: which is worse - my goofy heart rhythms or the side effects of the medication? I went without meds for years. Now I'm back on Diltiazem to control my chest pains and it helps my arrhythmias to some extent as well.
So ask about the treatment plan for the hole in your heart, ask about trying a different medication, ask if an ablation would work for you and do see someone about your anxiety. I don't know which came first, the arrhythmia or the anxiety but you'll have to deal with both to feel better again.
Has anyone done an echo on you to check for structural problems? The premature beats (PACs and PVCs) are only going to get worse for you because of your panic attacks. They are perfectly normal as ALL people around the world have them every day. The reason for them is, ironically, to help prevent the heart from stopping, they are God's way of giving the heart's normal electrical points (SA Node and AV Node) a backup system! Believe it or not, you are fine in reference to these premature beats, so you are better off to try and just forget about them. Being pregnant, you are going to be having more heart 'issues' because your heart is working harder than normal to cover for your baby. If you were at any risk here, your doctor would have had your baby delivered by now and you would have been told to never have children again. You would have been placed on bedrest. Premature beats are not life threatening unless there is severe structural abnormalities which based on your EKG, you may or may not have; you need to have an echo done to discover if that is an actual issue for you. With your EKG reading there is a possibility you MAY have something called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, however having said that, your symptoms don't really fit that disease process; my daughter was already being transplanted by the age of 22. By 16 she had over 48 hospitalizations. You really need to get some serious help with your panic attacks; it is the panic attacks that are keeping you from enjoying life, it's not really the PVCs. Your family members need to get on with their lives as well. Even as sick as my daughter was, actually dying from heart disease, she never had to have someone with her 24/7. Get help for the panic attacks.
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