anxiety/heart

[kelly simmons]

good morning, my name is kelly simmons.  i emailed you a couple of weeks ago about some information on anxiety.  i have been suffering from anxiety for around 4 years now.  just to make a long story short.  i am worried, which i try not to be, but i keep hearing all of these new stories about anxiety.  i am taking the medication atenolol 25 mg which is a beta blocker for my heart, because my heart races, and i get these weird feelings in my heart, they say that they are heart palpultations, but the way that a heart palpultation is described, is not the way that my heart feels.  my heart feels like it is vibrating in my chest and like my heart stops.  it takes my breath away, and it is a very uncomfortable feeling.  i have had test ran, and the doctors tell me that i have some type of fibulation, and that it is not harmfull.  i have had the heart thing since i was a little girl.  but you know, it really scares me when i hear stuff like anxiety causes sudden cardiac death, and that stress causes stroke and heart attacks.  that really scares me.  i worry about alot of stuff, but when it comes to my heart i really worry, because i am not satisfied with the results that the doctors have givin me.  they act like i am to young to be having any type of anxiety, or heart problems.  they basically just blow me off.  i wish that someone would take me seriously and check my heart out inside and out.  i would like to know for sure that my heart is ok, so that i can quit worring my self sick about being sick. i know that you cant give any answers, but i am hoping that you can give me some input.

sincerely & thank you,

kelly simmons

[HFHS-M.D-HG]

Dear Kelly Simmons

We cannot rule out anxiety or heart problems depending upon the age of a person.You seem to be concerned about your heart. To make yourself feel comfortable, I would recommend that you consider consulting a specialist (cardiologist) for a detailed information on the status of your heart.Palpitations are one of the symptoms of anxiety disorders,but sudden cardiac death from an anxiety attack is rare.At present, there are several medications that are available in the market which are proven to be safe and effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. I hope this information is helpful to you.

Sincerely
HFHS-M.D

[Barbara]

I have the same kind of heart palpitations from mitral valve prolapse. They say it is fairly benign and that the palpitations are uncomfortable but not dangerous. Stress makes the palpitations more frequent and annoying.

In the past my doc put me on a beta blocker which helped the arrythmia but made me tired and spaced out. I have not been on that beta-blocker for years but used alcohol to control it which obviously now is a mistake since I am an alcoholic trying to stay off the booze.

Now the palpitations are so frequent I barely notice them anymore except at night if I have insomnia and then can really feel it strongly.

An echocardiogram should be able to tell you if you have any valve or heart problems. Did your Doc order that test for you?

[Pat]

Kelly, I had the same things happen with me.  I went to the hospital, I went through the tests, I worried about heart problems, and I would never believe that the causes of the heart "problems" were mental.  How could your mind have anything to do with your heart? And I know that you can't just tell yourself, "oh well, this is not a dangerous thing that I feel right now"--you're going to panic.  Then that panic causes the heart palpitations to increase.  It's a vicious circle. Well, after all the heart tests were OK, and I was getting the same messages from the doctors as you describe, I "allowed" myself to let the doc give me some anti-depressant medication (which are used for anxiety too). I started with Effexor; that was my first year without any heart problems.  However, though I liked the effexor, it had an adverse affect on the sexual side.  So we switched to Serzone.  I don't think it's as good as effexor, but it is effective and does not cause sexual performance problems.  I now can definitely see that the brain effects the heart.  I would never have believed it, because I never felt "mentally ill".  I'm so glad I accepted the doctors advise, and set aside my "pride" about taking anti-depressants.  There's a lot of them now.  You have some trial and error to find the right one, and some may have temporary side effects that you will not like...stick with it, they pass in a couple of weeks.  It's worth it.  Get away from worrying about your heart.  It will be all right.

[kelly simmons]

good morning, thank you for all of your support and comments.  i deaply appriciate them.  i have been on so many diff. anti-deppresents, i am now on paxil for the 3rd time.  it is controling some of my anxiety, but i still get the so called palpultations.  i have had echo grams done and they have came back normal.  but the 1st one i had done the doc. told me 2 different things.  and the 2nd time the doctor basically told me that i was dying, of course i was in shock.  so i went home and for about an hour i am at home freaking out, and my doctor calls me and tells me that they mixed up my test results and my echo gram came back o.k. i didn't know what to say or think, of course i was happy, but at the same time sad for the person who's test results those were.  its like how can doctors make a mistake like that.  but everyone makes mistakes, no one is perfect.  thank you again for your time.

sincerely,
Kelly Simmons

[Val W.]

This message is directed to HFHS MD - I was under the impression that a panic attack is not dangerous to your heart.  That is the message I've gotten here and also elsewhere - that in fact realizing the rapid beating of the heart is not dangerous is the first step in overcoming panic attacks.  Then in your response to Kelly you state that "sudden cardiac death from an anxiety attack is rare" - HOW rare?  Is sudden death a possibility for anyone during an anxiety attack, or just in people with a heart condition?  I have had numerous ECGs, an echocardiogram, a holter monitor, and everything shows my heart to be normal.  But during a panic attack, my first thought has been the rapid heart rate must mean I have a dire heart condition.  I have been relaxing a little after reading some of the messages here that panic attacks are not dangerous - but became alarmed again after reading your message.  Please advise!

[Sandi]

I have been having heart palpitations for months now, did the holt monitor and all that...I think I have connected it to my zoloft, anyone else have a similar reaction to zoloft?

[abmylum]

I have SVT, a type of heart arrhythmia.  Because my heart rate can go up to 190 and stay there for no apparent reason, I can become quite anxious, especially during airplane flights.  My cardiologist does not want my heart rate to be that high.  Anxiety DEFINITELY precipitates the episodes, as does caffeine, lack of sleep, etc.  A fast heart rate is relative.  If my heart beats at 120bpm, I don't mind at all.  When I'm very nervous and it shoots up to 190, that's not a healthy thing!  Panic attacks can most definitely be life threatening if there are existing medical problems, like SVT or high blood pressure.  The doc is right when he suggests seeing a specialist to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

[Jamie]

HELLO I WAS JUST READING KELLY SIMMONS STORY ,THAT IS THE SAME STORY I HAVE. BEEN TO SO,SO MANY DOCTORS, NO ANSWERS. THEY DID SAY I HAVE MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE. AND I AM ON A BETA BLOCKER AND BUSPAR FOR THEN ANXIEY BUT I HAVE SOME MAJOR DIZZY SPELLS ALL DAY. BUT THE DOC'S HAVE NOT TOLD ME WHAT THAT IS FROM. I AM IN HOPES I DON'T HAVE OTHER HELP PROBLEMS . I AM A 30 YEAR OLD WOMEN WITH SO MANY HEATH PROBLEMS IN JUST A YEAR. IF ANYONE KNOWS ABOUT THIS HEART PROBLEM PLEASE EMAIL ME AT ***@****.

MY OTHER QUESTION IS I HAVE BEEN ON THE BUSPAR FOR 4MONTHS NOW, COULD THIS BE CAUSING MY DIZZY SPELLS, AND A TOUPING FEELING WHEN I AM STANDING.  THANKS JAMIE

[Jason]

Hello, my name is Jason, I am 24 years old and have the same ploblems as you.  I have palpitations, chest pain, Sometimes it radiates to my left forarm or jaw, basicaly all the tell tale signs of some kind of heart disease or something.  I had all the tests done, (EKG, stress test, echocardiogram, chest x-rays, name it)  The doctors say that I'm fine and not to worry about it, here, take some of these extremely addictive anti anxiety pills.  I am constantly worried that they could be wrong and there is something wrong with my heart, Basicaly i'm turning into A hypocondriac. If anyone else can relate to these symptoms and can help me, you can E-mail me at:  ***@****

Thanks
Jason Dalrymple

[BEN KELLER]

HEY ,KELLY DONT FEAR ANY THING I REMEMBER WHEN YOU AND I USED TO MUG DOWN CONSTANLY. YOU WERENT WORRIED ABOUT YOUR HEART THEN,NOR SHOULD YOU BE NOW. FACT IS, WHAT EVER IS GOING TO HAPPEN WILL HAPPNEN AND IS GOING TO HAPPEN....SURE YOU CAN WORRY ABOUT WHICH REMEDY TO USE OR WHAT SPECIALIST TO SEE, BUT THEN YOU JUST WORRIED, THEREFORE, STRESSING THAT PRETTY LITTLE HEART OF YOURS. THAT WON'TDO EITHER ONE OF US ANY GOOD..AND I KNOW ITS "BEN" A LONG TIME...BUT WE SHOULD GET TOGETHER I JUST MIGHT BE THE ANSWER TO YOUR HEART ACHE!!!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           LOVE BEN                                                           762-3630

[shelly]

I have been on Zoloft for 3 years and everytime I miss or change to a different med, the palpitations start.  Everyone I speak to about it tells me it is just stress and not to worry.  Even the doctor told me that.  I think anxiety and stress have alot to do with the palpitations.

[jennifer]

Hello, I have been on zoloft for a year for post partum depression. This past Feb. I told my Doc that I wanted to quit smoking and increase my sex drive. I was changed to Wellbutrin after 3 days I had my first panic/anxiety attack, it was the most horrible feeling. My husband rushed me to the ER, I thought I was having a heart attack. I could not stop crying, shaking one side of my head felt numb. Of course, I was switched back to Zoloft. Ever since I still have reacurrent panic attacks w/ 100mg zoloft. I do see a retired physcologist at my church that has been counseling me since the attack.  I have recently found out that I have been supressing a traumatic childhood. Parents died when I was seven yrs and I was bounced relative to relative. I had put all my memories of my childhood locked away. I had vivid memories but when My doc started really talking with me he helped me open the memories. Its really sad to know that 20 years later I now know that I was sexually molested by my step-grandfather, who was an alcholic.My grandmother knew all these years. He passed away a year ago. My grandparents owned two bars and they were always there and I had to take care of my brother and I. Last month I had a dream, or a vision. I was sitting on a bench and there was wet sand or mud all around me and I heard this voice telling me "Let go of the anger" Jennifer, It's Ok. and then these footprints walked away and I could see them in the sand.  I do believe with all my heart that God has been with me and still is all these years. Through all my trials at the end I have found Joy.  Three years ago I met a wonderful christian guy with the most loving family.  All my life ever since my parents passed my dream was to have my own family. I married this man and we were blessed with a beautiful little boy.  I have always worked, been independent to survive and take care of myself, because no one else did. Now, I am a stay home Mom and loving every day. WE are raising our child in a christian home with christian values. Through Christ we can do all things.  

I know this may be long, but when you open your heart and let out your fears you find your innermost soul. For so many years I thought I was being punished by God, but I wasn't He was waiting for me to open the door. And I was blessed with much more than I had lost.

[Steve Rodgers, MD]

Buspar reacts differently in many people. In some, it causes a feeling of "floating" or dizziness. Certain people are not able to take it for this reason.
Other people react to Buspar by being lethargic. The over-all effect of the medicin is to change the brain's chemical balance.
Indications show that Buspar works very well for 75% of it's recipients. The other 25% have various reactions, most of which are negative.

[Jessica]

In response to Sandi on Tuesday, March 21, 2000, yes I have found a similiar reaction to Zoloft.  Actually, I am not sure it is the Zoloft but I am starting to wonder.  I was on Zoloft for a couple of years and would experience these uncomfortable palpitations or chest discomfort.  A couple of months ago I switched to Celexa and did not have any heart palpitations.  Unfortunately, I had to switch back to Zoloft and again I am experiencing chest discomfort and palpitations.  I will probably call my doctor tomorrow and see what he has to say.  Have you found anything else since you posted your question?

[jan]

For Sandi, Tues. March 21, and Jessica, Thurs. Aug. 3rd:

Same deal here. I was on Zoloft for about three years and it worked wonderfully for my depression. But then I gradually developed heart palpitations. I went to a cardiologist, wore the Holter monitor too. I had Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs). They were frequent, struck at all times of the day, but especially at night when I would lay down. When I finally would get to sleep, they would sometimes wake me up. Originally the pattern would be three "normal" beats and then a skipped beat. It was annoying and I didn't sleep well, but I learned to live with it after doctors and the various PVC forums on the net said it was normal. I weaned myself off of Zoloft very gradually last winter to see if this would alleviate the heart problems, to see if my depression had abated, and to not have to work quite as much at having orgasms! (For anyone else reading this at this point, I went from 50 mgs. a month, to 25 mgs. for two weeks, to half a 25 mg. pill for two weeks, to half a 25 mg. pill every other day. I experienced no withdrawal effects whatsoever and was surprised to read about other peoples postings on this forum about the difficulties they've had getting off of Zoloft.)
Well, Sandi and Jessica, the PVCs didn't stop after ceasing the Zoloft, much to my chagrin. The depression returned as well. After a couple of totally drug free months I went on Wellbutrin SR because it's not supposed to have undesirable sexual side effects. I was on it for a month, had no sexual difficulties but I couldn't get to sleep and stay asleep and had frequent bad dreams. So, I have been antidepressant free for two months. The PVC's have changed. They are not as frequent and occur mostly at night when I lay down. They occur every other beat now rather than every four beats and they are worse after eating larger meals and I have the sensation of needing to "crack" my back, like there is pressure inside. (Some posts on the PVC forum have experienced this as well). Unfortunately, the depression is getting hard to deal with again, so I made an appointment to see my doctor in a couple of weeks. I was hoping Celexa might work, but Jessica you didn't have luck with it? Would you mind sharing why? Have either of you had any experience with Serzone? Wish I didn't have to take anything but I would like to enjoy life. Thanks for your sharing.

[courtney]

To Jennifer and others with anxiety.  Everyone should pay attention to Jennifers response, I couldn't agree more.  My panic attacks and heart palpalations started after I had a bad trip on shrooms(similar to LSD) when I was 16.  I am 19 now and still have the same problems.  I used to beg my parents to take me to the hospital on a regular basis because I thought my heart was going to stop.  The doctor prescribed me paxil and that helped alot but did not cure me.  The healthiest and happiest I've ever felt in my life was when I was a devoted christian.  I'm such an alcoholic though, that my devotion weakens.  I feel fine at first but then I become irresponsible and forget to take my medication.  Thats when I feel like I'm dying again.  I'm so very scared and my doctor, my parents, and neither my boyfriend take me seriously.  They think I'm being a baby.  I have been off my paxil for a month and am having those annoying withdrawels that everyone is so use to.  After reading all you guys' helpful information my plan is to quit drinking, get back on paxil, and once again devote my life to Christ.  I know thats how I can cure myself. I just hope I can stay away from the beer I look forward to drinking every day.  I hope what I've wrote is helpful to everyone.  Good luck and as Jennifer said, "All things can be done through Christ.

[EVANGELINE SARAT]

hEY i JUST READ YOUR WORRIES
Its all okay. I've had the same thing happen to me. It's hard to realize that the world can rip away at you  as well as be amazingly beautiful and life giving.  There's nothing wrong with your heart. If that pisses you off, good. Be ragingly mad for awhile and let yourself storm and cry until you suddenly look down at yourself and realize that the huge display of energy you just got through with did not kill you or even make your heart hurt. Maybe you even fell better. It stinks when you finally make this realization that, just maybe, nothing is wrong with you physically because by god that means your head is a little screwy. If the problem isn't physical then you've just been offered the burden of RESPONSIBILITY that forces you back into the very world that hurt you.
YOu can be normal again. push yourself just hard enough and kno't be scared of being loved. I feel for you and understand. I've bben there.
Evangeline

[Lee]

HI,
I've been taking Sleeping pills now for 3 years and finally
i've stopped cold turkey! I then started to get these Anxiety attacks especially at nite i'd be sittin there tryin to go to
sleep and i could here my heart beat then for no parent reason i couldn't here it no more so i freaked jump out of bed and thought i was a gonner!! OH then as i got up my heart was beating so hard and so fast i'd didn't know what to do :( i guess i was just doing it to myself i whent to the hospital and they did a EKG on me and said everything was fine and its Stress
related :\ I still get them every now and then when i'm about to fall asleep I have my finger on my wrist and i'm listening to my heart and I would have this terrible gas and has the gas would rise up I couldn't feel the heart beat so onece again i would think it stopped and FREAk out :( i wish it would stop so i can sleep cause after i have attack when i'm tryin to sleep good luck on gettin me back in that bed!!! My doctor Gave me FAMOTIDINE for the heart burn God i hope it works! If you know what happening to me PLZ let me know!!!
***@****

[Lee]

HI,
I've been taking Sleeping pills now for 3 years and finally
i've stopped cold turkey! I then started to get these Anxiety attacks especially at nite i'd be sittin there tryin to go to
sleep and i could here my heart beat then for no parent reason i couldn't here it no more so i freaked jump out of bed and thought i was a gonner!! OH then as i got up my heart was beating so hard and so fast i didn't know what to do :( i guess i was just doing it to myself i whent to the hospital and they did a EKG on me and said everything was fine and its Stress
related :\ I still get them every now and then when i'm about to fall asleep I have my finger on my wrist and i'm listening to my heart and I would have this terrible gas and has the gas would rise up I couldn't feel the heart beat so once again i would think it stopped and FREAk out :( i wish it the attacks of gas would stop  so i can sleep cause after i have an attack when i'm tryin to sleep good luck on gettin me back in that bed!!! My doctor Gave me FAMOTIDINE for the heart burn God i hope it works! If you know what happening to me PLZ let me know!!!
***@****

[mandy]

Hi.  I have had those same heart flutters.  It started when I was a teenager.  My doctor told me I had an inflamation (inflammation) of the "chest wall".  I have always thought that this was a screwy answer to my physical problem.  He gave me amoxil.  I thought it went away, until months later...the same pains and flutters returned.  Ever since, every so often, a "panic attack" hits me.  Over the years (I'm 24 now) they have increased in intensity.  I feel as though I am having a heart attack.  I have found that if I completely relax, and breath deaply (using slow long breaths) I manage through fine.  I think I'm okay, and doing fine otherwise...I hope this might help!