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.

[wmac]

You said you had four ventricular ectopic beats, did you mean in a row in no normal beats inbetween or just four single ones.

[jennifer79]

you definetly arent alone. just look up my post dated on 11/21

[mom4cem]

Try not to worry Poohbear. We all at some time or another live with that fear. I know even after many,many years of pvc and pacs and more, I still worry about that time to time. It is true in  many cases, the more you look for something, the more likely you will find something. Could be a good thing to find or not. It gets to be overkill after a while with tests also. If you trust your Dr. and/or have had second opinions you then need to think about whether you want to spend every minute worrying about something that may, more likely, will never happen. Anxiety is a very persistent and nasty guest. Never wants to leave and just fills you with the worst fears and negative feelings.

Have you tried to speak to a therapist or your Dr. about your fears? Sometimes reassurance goes a long way. Are you on any medication for the palpitations? Maybe a little bit of meds would help you to reduce the palpitations and reduce anxiety.  I hope you feel better...

[poohbear2026]

Thank you all so much.  It is nice to know there are others out there like me.  Just got back from my family dr. and she has put me back on Paxil and is referring me to a psychologist.  I did well on Paxil before so hopefully it will help again.  Thanks again for all the support.  It's nice to know I am not just going crazy.

[Sondra Elmore]

I just wanted to offer my support in the daily PVC dilemma.  I started having them about four years ago and it's an up and down drama for me.  I will get comfort from an echo and holter monitor for a while, then a few months later when the symptoms are in overdrive I start to question if I need to start the testing all over again.  It can be all-consuming.  I've also found the stress aggravates them considerably, in fact when I'm in a bad episode just thinking about PVC's will make me have one!  I wish you all the luck.

[Abeybaby]

I am not so sure that people with anxiety have any more increased predisposition to sudden death.  Sudden death from what I have researched and spoken to cardiologists is not so common even for people with anxiety. If it were then it would be very commonplace and I dont think they would be re-assuring those mainly with PVC that rarely degrade further in normal structural hearts.  I think most on this post suffer from anxiety and not sure how you wouldnt but I would not get overly worked up on this sudden death thing.  I would treat the anxiety and worry about the heart after ... at least this was my cardio advise. Treat the main cause not the symptoms. We tend to treat the symptoms and leave the root cause free to roam.

Thanks-