Heart rythm problems taking shower/hot tub

[jrzy49]

I've been having problems with my heart rythm when I take a shower or bathe in the hot tub. If the water is too hot, I'll get out and there will be terrible palpitations in my head and neck and torso once I stand up. Sometimes my heart will beat double time (like beating twice for one normal beat), it will be like two beats and then a pause, then two beats and another pause. My heart will start off beating really fast and then its rythm will change like this and my heart rate will slow down to like 40bpm and I'll get this "whooshing" feeling in my chest that makes me caugh and feel like I'll pass out. It goes away when I sit down and bend my head between my knees, which makes me feel like I'm getting more oxygen. This heart rythm problem also happens with adrenaline when I'm really nervous. I have social anxiety and this raises my heart rate and blood pressure when I'm nervous. Whenever I go to the doctor my blood pressure and pulse are always very high because I'm nervous: I go into the doctors worrying that my blood pressure and heart rate will be high and this makes me nervous in the first place.

Lately I've been having shooting pains on the left side of my head that come up from my neck. They only happen a couple times a day and last for a fraction of a second but really scare me. It feels like being stabbed. It seems like sugary or salty foods make this happen more. I'm worried that my hypertension caused by my anxiety and hot water from the shower are weakening my arteries (maybe I'm paranoid?) and I'm thinking about taking the herb hawthorne because I'm strictly against prescription drugs.

I'm 5'10" 140 lbs and am only 19 yrs. old. I've been an athlete my entire life. I have no history of people having heart problems at a young age in my family. Please help with this problem.

[donna4140]

It sounds to me like you suffer from anxiety or panic attacks.I have suffered from anxiety in the past too and  I know the more you dwell on things the worse anxiety becomes.It wouldnt hurt to get checked out by your doctor and a cardiologist maybe. Donna

[Jerry_NJ]

How hot is the water?  If real hot, the sudden change to room temperature could well cause you heart rate to rise.  The irregular beat is another mater, I believe, it seems to me that you must have that "weakness/problem" and it is dormant unless kicked off by some sudden physical change.

You also mention a HR of 40.  This is very low, and for most of us it would cause us to be dizzy, even pass out.  Some athletes have a healthy resting HR in the 50s, but 40 is too low, I believe.  

Pain is another troubling sign, and it could be worth while talking to a cardiologist about getting a wearable heart monitor... these in my experience have to be removed when in the water, including shower...but could be put back on immediately after.

You physical description and age suggest that it is very unlikely that you have anything you can't beat, the problem is identification of the problem.