23yr male Panic attacks, fast heart beat.

Hi I am posting in this forum in hopes for some answers.  For the past 2 years or so I have been getting panic attacks which started out mild and not occurring so often, up until now I seem to get panic attacks all the time.  I get freaked out by my pulse getting faster which makes it worse, I never timed my heart rate while having a panic attack but it seems to be really fast.  I have no pain while this is happening, I just get the shakes and tremble and have a fast heart rate.  My resting heart rate now is about 60-70 bpm.  Also when i workout lately and i feel my heart rate go up it really freaks me out and also induces a panic attack, also gets as bad as getting them in the shower.  If you need more info let me know and I will give more info on my situation.  

[Brooke_38]

Hello...

Most of the symptoms of a panic attack are physical, and many times these symptoms are so severe that people think they’re having a heart attack. In fact, many people suffering from panic attacks make repeated trips to the doctor or the emergency room in an attempt to get treatment for what they believe is a life-threatening medical problem. While it’s important to rule out possible medical causes of symptoms such as chest pain, heart palpitations, or difficulty breathing, it’s often panic that is overlooked as a potential cause – not the other way around.

Many people experience panic attacks without further episodes or complications. There is little reason to worry if you’ve had just one or two panic attacks. However, some people who’ve experienced panic attacks go on to develop panic disorder. Panic disorder is characterized by repeated panic attacks, combined with major changes in behavior or persistent anxiety over having further attacks.

Signs and symptoms experienced by those who may have panic disorder may include:

Experience frequent, unexpected panic attacks that aren’t tied to a specific situation.
Worry a lot about having another panic attack.
Are behaving differently because of the panic attacks, such as avoiding places where you’ve previously panicked.
While a single panic attack may only last a few minutes, the effects of the experience can leave a lasting imprint. If you have panic disorder, the recurrent panic attacks take an emotional toll. The memory of the intense fear and terror that you felt during the attacks can negatively impact your self-confidence and cause serious disruption to your everyday life. Eventually, this leads to the following panic disorder symptoms:


Panic attacks can also be caused by medical conditions and other physical causes. If you’re suffering from symptoms of panic, it’s important to see a doctor to rule out the following possibilties:  

Mitral valve prolapse, a minor cardiac problem that occurs when one of the heart’s valves doesn't close correctly.
Hyperthyroidism
Hypoglycemia
Stimulant use (amphetamines, cocaine, caffeine)
Medication withdrawal

If you have not had a full workup yet, this would be the place to start. It would be worth having all other possibilities ruled out. There is an excellent anxiety forum here within Medhelp. You might want to see if this would help in the meantime.

Good Luck, and let us know how you make out:)