scared of palpitations

[poohbear2026]

Thanks for answering, it has been several years since I posted before.  I have had troble with anxiety with palpitations and chest pain for over 7 years.  I had a 24 hr monitor seven years ago that showed 4 ventricular ectopics(2 isolateds and 1 couplet) and 3595 Supraventricular ectopics(all isolateds).  I was then sent for an echo and they said everything was normal except trace mitral regurgitation, normal variance.  I have since had a stress test and another echo.  But it has been at least two years since those. I have read on the internet that people with anxiety problems are more prone to sudden death. And I am scared to death that I am going to die from this.  Do you think I should be seen again by another cardiologist.  I am currently taking Ativan for anxiety.  Some days I have palpitations up to probably 10 a minute.  Then some days I don't feel any.  I have had several ekgs recently but they only seem to pick up sinus tachardia.  Thank you for your help.

[poohbear2026]

I have been nervous all day and my heart has been skipping all day.  I have a few more questions about WPW .  Does anxiety usally bring on an attack?  and what test finally diagnosed you? I have been to two cardioligist and none of them have ever mentioned this disease. WHne I am on Paxil for anxiety I do not usually have the palpitaions.

Thanks,

[poohbear2026]

I looked for your post but cannot seem to find it.  Where is it at?  I probably just missed it.


Thanks

[pms_barbie]

Try and not stress.  I know easier said than done.  I think the test thats best for wpw is a single averaged ekg.  Its an ekg they take for a lot longer than normal ekgs.  However I could be wrong about that statement. However if you worried over this now you may check with your dr and see what he thinks about testing for it.

[poohbear2026]

Great, now I am afraid it could be WPW....didn't your ekg's show the WPW.  I have had probably 100 ekgs, stress test, 2 echos and holter testing.  It looks like it would have showed up by now.

THanks,

[poohbear2026]

The 4 ectopics were 2 individual and 1 couplet.

Thanks

[WPWGuy]

It looks like at your age it is unlikely you are predisposed for problems.  That is very encouraging!!

I want you to know tho that I went thru a lot a repeat testing starting in  my early twenties, and none of it ever revealed my wolf parkinson's white (results in several minutes of rapid heart beat around 250bpm.) For me, wolf parkinsons was something I was born with; I am not even sure of when I became aware of having symptoms. Still, at that age and no positive test results (the rapid rythm was infrequent and evaded the monitors unfortunately), doctors concluded that nothing was out of the ordinary. Diligence finally paid off at 44, but even then, not until after seeing two doctors.

I am not suggesting at all that you start worrying again or become critical of your physisican, especially given everything.  WPW is not a cake walk, but it is rarely associated with sudden death. I just think that you could set for yourself and your doctors the goal of realsitically, systematically, and diligently assessing your feelings and symptoms as a whole, and then expect everyone on the list to achieve this goal. Why not? You are paying them, and owe it to yourself to be honest with yourself.

On the other hand, if you have diligently described your symptoms, and are satisfied with the cardiovascular assessment you receive, perhaps you would describe both physical and emotional aspects to your therapist, and expect more focus on the emotion for your own part.

Later...