Racing heart beat

48 yr old male.  Have history of PVC's and suffer from anxiety and palpitations.  In past year cardiologist has performed stress test and echo and I wore heart monitor.  Dr did not want me to take beta blocker as monitor showed periods of slow (45-55 bpm) heart rate. Told heart is structurally sound.  A while ago I was taking a shower and suddenly felt like my body just totally relaxed.  As if muscles released tension.  Breathing was easier.  Suddenly, my heart started beating very rapidly (over 200 bpm) for about a minute.  I was not nervous or anxious at the time so I am concerned as to what could have caused this event.  I called my cardiologist and explained what happened but he said best thing to do is nothing.  Said if it occurs again we can do another monitor.  Well it hasn't happened like that although I may periodically get a couple of quick beats but I've had that for many many yrs.  My concern is now I am afraid of sudden cardiac death.  I'm terrified of exerting myself for fear of dropping dead.  Is this event the type associated with SCD or am I making much ado about nothing?

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

Much ado about nothing.  Cardiologist take sudden cardiac death VERY seriously.  If there was any data to support your risk for sudden death, you doctor would bring you for additional studies.  Everyone is at risk for sudden death.  I am young and I have personally seen three cases in personal friends of sudden cardiac death.  One had congenital heart disease, one was an elite athlete, and the other was a physician I trained with.  We can never tell anyone that they have no risk. If you have a structurally normal heart, you risk is the same as any age matched healthy person.  

If you have a normal heart
Normal family history void of sudden death in young people
And have a  detailed history and physical by a knowledgeable physicians about sudden death that is normal, your risk is incredibly low.

I hope this helps.