Bradycardia, along with palpitations?

[Skelly88]

     Okay, I have pretty bad anxiety, and last time I checked...people with high anxiety / panic attacks don't really have a slow heart rate, it USED to be that my heart was always fast and what not, i've always had the palpitations as long as i've had panic attacks (most of the time they're when i'm laying down relaxed, but sometimes when i'm at work, or walking or something) and my heart will occasionally have one SINGLE really hard beat, and i'll immediately become short of breath.  Recently (as in the past few days) my heart rates been reaaal slow, like..at rest its at 57 bpm, and thats taken at night, laying down, really relaxed, i'm going to check my heart rate again upon waking and see if it changes but its really weird...it used to be too high (90s or so) i've been sick though with sinus congestion and what not, I heard that it can affect your nervous system which can affect your heart but I really dont know.. i'm 21 years old, I dont work out or anything of the sort.  My diet isn't TOO great but I eat healthy everytime i get the chance, I work at pizza hut so you can sorta guess my diet.  I dont drink or smoke, no drugs, no caffiene, and i dont eat things with high sodium.  

i dont know if i'm leaving any info out but.....any input?

[cindy707]

Not necessarily Skelly......youth is on your side or you could simply just be one of those lucky people with a great metabolism.  If you are having lots of palps tho you definately need to make an appt w. a doc just to make sure that everything is okay.  For the 50.00 you'll spend on the doc visit it will well be worth the peace of mind to you.  There is an old saying that we don't look a gift horse in the mouth.....the other question i would have is are you on meds. for the anxiety because if you are that will definately lower your heart rate.......make the appt. tho you'll be glad you did.......and remember to post to let us know how it goes for sure......oh and no kidding what a great B/P !!!!!

[Skelly88]

well, recently though its been in between 57 and 65, and my chest just feels....weird....not to mention i'm having lots of palpitations, someone with anxiety normally has a fast heart rate, not slow, thats why I'm confused.

i might add that my blood pressure as of yesterday was 118 / 66

i have no idea how i have such good numbers on my heart rate / blood pressure, especially being only 21.  normally people have to be doing a lot of cardio excersise for a long time to get their resting heart rate so low, right?

[cindy707]

Hey skelly......First off your heart rate is definately not really slow because a norm is somewhere between 70-120 and try to remember that people that are pro athletes like Lance Armstrong has a resting heart rate in the upper 30's so if you are at rest and its in the upper 50's nothing to panic about.  Sinus congestion will definately make it harder for you to breathe thus putting a little more strain on your heart but not abnormally...but if you are taking cold meds that could most definately going to effect your heart and may make it go a little out of whack.  You are young so that most def. is on your side, you sound like you actually are doing alot of the right things for your body.....if you have a little weight problem working where you do that could definately have something to do with the shortness of breath because of pressure on your  diaphragm.  I don't see anything that would to me be alarming but if you know you get anxiety attacks hopefully you've been to a doc for a little help with that and if not you should really make an appt. if the anxiety feels like its getting worse for you because stress/anxiety plays some pretty ugly tricks on our hearts......this sounds more like an anxiety or worry thing to me...but i'm sure others will weigh in to help you out with their opinions....good luck....