Panicky feeling?

[undervenued]

This has been going on for almost a year.  Looking for some thoughts.

I get this really weird heart-racing feeling.  It used to happen every couple weeks or so, only during the night, but lately it has been happening more often, at all times of the day.  

It starts with my heart feeling like it is going to beat out of my chest.  I get short of breath, and it lasts for anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or more.  

My doctor put me through a whole pile of tests: ekg, heart ultra sound, blood work, and I even wore a heart monitor for two days.  Everything came back normal.  Even my blood pressure and cholesterol were normal.  

He says it will go away if I were to lose weight, but I am not convinced that is the cause, as I have always been overweight.

Anyone with similiar problems?  

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
What you have is palpitations-- an abnormal awareness of the beating of the heart. I understand you have undergone several tests but just go over these and see if anything has been missed. Chemicals like adrenaline, alcohol, caffeine, cocaine, amphetamines, and other drugs all cause palpitations. Disease (such as hyperthyroidism and pheochromocytoma) or mitral stenosis, panic disorder all cause this. Palpitations may be associated with heart problems, anemias and low blood pressure. If you have cough and are taking medicines that contain asthalin or terbutaline then the palpitations can be a side effect of the drugs.
If all of the above conditions are eliminated, then it is just anxiety and maybe being overweight. Why don’t you try losing some weight under expert guidance? Also maybe, yoga, meditation and cutting down on caffeine will help. Take care!

[fruitcup99]

Sounds alot like what happened to a friend of mine - he was in his late 20's and had lots of recent changes in his life (broke off a bad relationship, bought a house in a new city etc) and he experienced frequent episodes of heart racing, sweating, shortness of breath, a heavy feeling overall that lasted 20 mins on average.

For him, it turned out to be stress induced panic attacks aka anxiety.  Finding healthy ways to manage his stress like talking to a good friend and hitting the gym to blow off steam really helped.  Try looking objectively at your circumstances and consider if these symptoms could be from anxiety.  

Remember, your body reacts to stress with the "fight or flight" instinct. If you don't work through problems or take the time to notice what might be bothering you emotionally your body will find a way to get your attention - sometimes with panic attacks!

[blue1979]

try the loosing weight thing and see if that helps you out. and if it doesn't then go back to doc and tell him that their just isn't right the way you feel, keep a daily log of this and show it to him to get him to see just how seriuse you are bout this issue.

[anything102]

You may be experiencing heart palpitations, which by themselves are not typically harmful. However, what your doctor might be trying to get you to do is to work your heart to strengthen it and help safe guard from any future complications.

Remember that the heart is a muscle and must be worked to maintain strength and your doctor is correct in advising you to strengthen yours.

Even walking 20minutes a day is a good start, and what can it hurt?