Anxiety Symthoms Related to Heart

[jmcruz]

Dear Sirs,

I would like, if possible, some information about anxiety symptoms, related to heart and circulatory system.

Namely, I would like to know if, only anxiety, and without physical exercise, could trigger the pulse rate till 120 – 130 bpm ?

If that happens (only with anxiety), how long, in average, can it stays at that range ? – Is it with serious risks for the heart.

Can, also anxiety, cause sweat, a sensation of  (but not exactly) dizziness and nausea ?

The max of my pulse rate, in a very anxious situation, was 124 bpm for about 5 min, and then less, but above 100, for 15 min, and than became down slowly. This happened to me about 4-5 times in 2001, as I get more and more worried when my pulse tare was going up, then, when I started to be calm, it started to get down.

I did a EKG 2 months ago that was normal, as well as the thyroid parameters. An echocardiogram, did in the end of 2000, was also fine.

Best regards,

José Cruz

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

The answer is yes, anxiety can easily cause the heart rate you mentioned, as well as sweating, and a feeling of dizziness and nausea.

There is no clear evidence linking heart rate like this to heart disease as long as you are known to have a healthy heart, and are in good physical condition. common sense suggests that it can 't be good for you, even if there is no direct evidence.

You have noticed something very important. You can control the heart rate by calming your mind, and you increase the heart rate when you get too worried about it.  Use that knowledge.

[Tootsy831]

When I first started with really bad anxiety, I also got panic attacks, & had all the symptoms of a heart attack..I was scared to death..I even ended up at hospital one time..I eventually had all kinds of tests done for my heart, and they all came back fine..I still get some rapid heart beat and palpitations at time, but between my anxiety meds and Tenormin (a beta-blocker, used to treat irregular heart beats or high blood pressure); I do fairly well..That is a very scary feeling..My heart rate used to go up to 120 or so just sitting when I got real anxious..Oh, I never had high blood pressure and still don't..Glad to hear that you did have an EKG..I know I can tell you to try not to worry, but it's not that easy when it's happening to you..Do you take anything for anxiety? Also if it would continue, check with Dr. about putting you on something to help with heart rate..
Hope I have helped you somewhat..Take Care..Let us Know how you are doing...

[maty]

When I first started having panic attacks I started off with having feelings of sweating, feeling flushed. I also got very lightheaded and would feel at times like I may pass out. Also I find that when I wake up my heartrate is increased,not so much when sleeping at night, but if I take a nap in the daytime. I also feel like I have a adrenaline type of buzz feeling throughtout  my body. I have been treated for panic attacks, and am finally off of my medication. I was feeling as if some of those feeling were coming back,but i have recently cut out caffeine, and that seems to help alot.

[NGD]

Just reading the thread on the anxiety and heart. I too have anixety problems and occasional panic attacks (for no apparent reason). I've taken Wellbutrin for 6-7mos.(for smoking cessation) and am on thyroid meds for nodules in the gland. I have had 2 EKG's in recent months because I mentioned chest pain to my dr. Both were normal. However, the pain continues. This morning my left arm and hand were ice cold and for a few hours it annoyed me, I almost thought maybe this was the real thing (heart attack). I took a couple of asprin just in case. I still feel edgy. I really hate to go back to my dr. complaining because I was just there and I know he already thinks I'm a typical neurotic woman and he can't seem to handle more than 1 or 2 complaints at a time. I am a smoker that needs to quit badly, and I have not completely successful yet. I am wondering if the Wellbutrin could be adding to the anxiety problem.(No doubt the nicotine does not help, but I have cutback alot, just not completely. The dr. wants me to stay on the Wellbutrin for pain releif (my other symptoms)??????? I guess it's the old expression they think and use, that depression causes pain.......I say the pain causes depression. I have all the classic chronic related stress/anxiety problems....TMJ, Trigeminal Neuralgia?, Fibromaylgia (fibromyalgia)?, chronic unexplained muscle pains that travel and can disable me one day and be completely gone the next! (Without any reason for the onset) I question some of the diagnoses I've had. I had viral encephi/meningitis twice in my life and I truly beleive those old viruses get stirred up again by new viruses.(learned alot about viruses in Molecular classes) My neck stays stiff and sore all the time anyway. I don't know what the heck it all is, except the idea of an MS evaluation has been suggested. I just want to know if anyone can tell me if maybe Paxil might be more appropriate for most of these symptoms of anxiety. I'm really tired of hurting and being so sore, but I really don't think the Wellbutrin is helping that. I've considered growing my own poppys for pain releif!! Dr.'s are so afraid of decent pain releif drugs, but they'll cram the antidepressants down your throat Any Ideas?

[NGD]

My comment actually turned into a question, but I can't post it as such right now.

[jmcruz]

I suggest the Silva Mind Control teachings. I'm trying to apply them and the results seems to be apeering slowly, but apeering. See http://www.silvamethod.com/

[SLR78]

I too suffered from panic attacks. When mine first started 3 years ago, I lived at the library trying to find out as much as I could. It seems very common for people to mistake panic attacks for heart attacks. My heart would also race for a good 10-15 minutes. I tried Zoloft for about 6 months, but found it made me zombie like and just no pep in my step. I decided to go off medication and seek help from an anxiety psychologist. She helped me tremendously. I no longer have to rely on drugs, but realized panic attacks are very much psycological. You can calm yourself down with positive thinking. She also used the Lucinda Bassett tapes for Anxiety and Depression. They are wonderful and they talk about positive affirmation. When you think the worst during a panic attack, you will work yourself up so much, that you lose control. I still feel anxious when I drink too much caffeine, and dread taking naps, because I wake up with a pounding heart which scares me to death. But the key is to overcome your anxiety, not let it control you. I'm bound and determined to not cope my whole life depending on anti-depressants. I'm not 100% cured and still get freaked out occasionally, but I tell my self, I will be okay.

[Meg R]

I am a 28 year old female, non smoker.  For the past few months i have had numerous episodes of chest pains, dizziness, nausea, feeling of needing to have diarrea (diarrhea).  My arm throbs and hurts with a burning sensation in the back of my neck.  i have been to the hospital 4 times the attacks were so bad the people with me and myself were very scared.  I have had EKG's, chest x-rays, blood work, all turned out fine.  I had a halter monitor yesterday and have a stress test scheduled on Friday.  My doctor seems to think that it is just acid reflux and i am having panic attacks from the heart burn.  I feel that he is doing the test just to pamper me and that makes me feel like i am crazy.  He put me on celexa.  I took one pill and freaked out.  Pupils were huge, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrea (diarrhea), dizziness, disoriented feeling, chest pains and shortness of breath.  I feel like something is going on but because of my age and my gender i keep getting told that it is anxiety.  Am i just in denail, is there something i can do if it is to calm things down with out medication.  I desperatley need help.

[Joys]

It is my understanding that Mitral Valve Prolapse---and I am not a doctor just read a lot---can cause aniexty symptoms.   This makes sense to me----if the valve doesn't function right and blood flows strangely then one could get very anxious.

While I am talking about heart as aniexty producting----does anyone know of any procedure which can normalize the MVP.   Actually I will post on the heart board.

[kimbos]

hey, im a 20 year old female who has had anxiety for 3 years. It seems each panic attack i manage to become better mentally prepared, but physically worse. I started just woith heart palpiations and nausea.. now i get chest pains, cant breathe, everything, you name it. Anyway, lately, ( about a month) ive been getting these chest  pains on and off. They are weid, they move around. One day ill feel all bruised in my chest, then it will all go away, the next day ill et like a cramping feeling in my heart, then it will go through to my back and then maybe the other side of chest and someimes a dull ache to my left arm. Ive been so anizety free and happy in my life so long, i have been mentalyl fine, but now with these chest pains and what not i cant relax. Ive considered going to the doctor but itll just be de je vu. I went to emergency wit the chets pains a few months ago, they foudn nothing wrong with my heart or lungs *9 even though ima smoker!). They assumed it was muscualr and gave me codeine. I know it cuold just be anixety but it feels t real, and it really does feel like my heart is cramping sometimes- go figure.. any ideas anyone????

[JIM BO]

I NEED HELP.I HAVE BEEN BEING TREATED FOR ANXIETY PANIC
DISORDER.FOR THE LAST 4 YRS.WE'VE TRIED A LOT OF DIFFERANT
MEDS. NONE WORKS, MOST OF THEM MAKE IT WORSE.IT ALL STARTED
WHEN I BENT OVER AND GOT UP.MY HEART STARTED BEATING REAL
HARD THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 3 TIMES.IT WOULD ALWAYS GO AWAY
TILL THE LAST TIME IT STAYED ALL EVENING.IN THE MORNING I
WAS OK.THEN IT STARTED COMING BACK EVER EVENING FOR NO
REASON.IF I TAKE A NAP IT GOES AWAY FOR ABOUT A HOUR OR SO.
I NEVER GET ANXIETY IN THE MORNING WHEN I WAKE UP.TILL ABOUT
NOON OR SO.AND STAYS ALL DAY .I FEEL REALLY BAD. AND HEAVY CHESTED. I'VE HAD TESTS DONE ON MY HEART.THEY CAME BACK
AS HEALTHY.BUT ALL TESTS WERE DONE IN THE MORNING.
ITS NOT YOUR NORNAL CASE OF ANXIATY. I GET IT FOR KNOW REASON.
IT JUST COMES ON. (I HAVE KNOW FEELING OF ANXIETY OR PANIC)
DOES ANY ONE KNOW WHAT THIS COULD BE.IF NOT ANXIETY PANIC
DISORDER .P.S.MY HEART BEATS HARDER NOT REALLY FASTER.
IF YOU CAN HELP I THANK YOU.VERY MUCH.

[JIM BO]

I NEED HELP.I HAVE BEEN BEING TREATED FOR ANXIETY PANIC
DISORDER.FOR THE LAST 4 YRS.WE'VE TRIED A LOT OF DIFFERANT
MEDS. NONE WORKS, MOST OF THEM MAKE IT WORSE.IT ALL STARTED
WHEN I BENT OVER AND GOT UP.MY HEART STARTED BEATING REAL
HARD THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 3 TIMES.IT WOULD ALWAYS GO AWAY
TILL THE LAST TIME IT STAYED ALL EVENING.IN THE MORNING I
WAS OK.THEN IT STARTED COMING BACK EVER EVENING FOR NO
REASON.IF I TAKE A NAP IT GOES AWAY FOR ABOUT A HOUR OR SO.
I NEVER GET ANXIETY IN THE MORNING WHEN I WAKE UP.TILL ABOUT
NOON OR SO.AND STAYS ALL DAY .I FEEL REALLY BAD. AND HEAVY CHESTED. I'VE HAD TESTS DONE ON MY HEART.THEY CAME BACK
AS HEALTHY.BUT ALL TESTS WERE DONE IN THE MORNING.
ITS NOT YOUR NORNAL CASE OF ANXIATY. I GET IT FOR KNOW REASON.
IT JUST COMES ON. (I HAVE KNOW FEELING OF ANXIETY OR PANIC)
DOES ANY ONE KNOW WHAT THIS COULD BE.IF NOT ANXIETY PANIC
DISORDER .P.S.MY HEART BEATS HARDER NOT REALLY FASTER.
IF YOU CAN HELP I THANK YOU.VERY MUCH.

[JIM BO]

I NEED HELP.I HAVE BEEN BEING TREATED FOR ANXIETY PANIC
DISORDER.FOR THE LAST 4 YRS.WE'VE TRIED A LOT OF DIFFERANT
MEDS. NONE WORKS, MOST OF THEM MAKE IT WORSE.IT ALL STARTED
WHEN I BENT OVER AND GOT UP.MY HEART STARTED BEATING REAL
HARD THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 3 TIMES.IT WOULD ALWAYS GO AWAY
TILL THE LAST TIME IT STAYED ALL EVENING.IN THE MORNING I
WAS OK.THEN IT STARTED COMING BACK EVER EVENING FOR NO
REASON.IF I TAKE A NAP IT GOES AWAY FOR ABOUT A HOUR OR SO.
I NEVER GET ANXIETY IN THE MORNING WHEN I WAKE UP.TILL ABOUT
NOON OR SO.AND STAYS ALL DAY .I FEEL REALLY BAD. AND HEAVY CHESTED. I'VE HAD TESTS DONE ON MY HEART.THEY CAME BACK
AS HEALTHY.BUT ALL TESTS WERE DONE IN THE MORNING.
ITS NOT YOUR NORNAL CASE OF ANXIATY. I GET IT FOR KNOW REASON.
IT JUST COMES ON. (I HAVE KNOW FEELING OF ANXIETY OR PANIC)
DOES ANY ONE KNOW WHAT THIS COULD BE.IF NOT ANXIETY PANIC
DISORDER .P.S.MY HEART BEATS HARDER NOT REALLY FASTER.
IF YOU CAN HELP I THANK YOU.VERY MUCH.