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Heart Rhythm (Expert Forum)
anxiety and pounding heart/tachycardia
Answered by
Michael J. McWilliams, M.D. - atrial fibrillation, Pacemakers, Defibrillators, Arrhythmias (SVT, VT), PVC/PAC, Ablation
Wilmington Health Associates
Wilmington - NC
Questions in the Heart Rhythm forum are answered by Dr. Michael J. McWilliams. Topics covered include heart rhythm issues, arrhythmia, irregular heartbeat, implanted defibrillators, pacemakers, and tachycardia.
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anxiety and pounding heart/tachycardia
by sandraL80, Apr 30, 2008 02:40PM
Hi
I am a 25 year old girl, history of anxiety and panic attacks since 5 years ago, with all the classic anxiety symptoms, feeling awful. had a constant heartrate of 90-115, doc gave me a betablocker (Atenolol) 50 mg good effect. Had EKG, echo and holter back then, everything fine. The last year I started getting fatigued (much stress in my nursingstudies) I started getting pain in my legmuscle, stopped exercising. Lots of anxiety, pounding heart, tachy, with dizziness when standing up, weakness in legs, pounding heart when switching positions, panic attacks where my heart litteraly pounds out of my throat, walking up a stair gives me tired legs (like a lactid acid feeling),
Docs say its stress/anxiety. My blood tests are all normal.
I have recently had a echo and holter, everything normal (only sinus tach. sometimes up tp 140-150 bpm-but then I was "exercising") Can this really be from alot of stress/anxiety/decontitioning? Can this damage my heart in any way? I am so scared it will give in. My resting rate is between 70-90. Have seen an endoctrinologist and neurologist recently-everything normal, just a little elevated cortisol in stamina (caused by stress)I take 25-50 mg atenolol, and it makes me fatigued, but works in calming my heart a little (is it safe to taper them off to see if that helps?)
The most distressing symptom is my constant pounding heart (I feel every beat) I can never relax.Very typical for anxiety disorder? And can the betablocker stop working after a while? I can`t increase the dose, as my bp goes too low. Bp now is 120/80 and sometimes lower (105/65)
Possibe IST, POTS/DYSAUTONOMIA, CFS? Should I trust the docs diagnosis of anxiety/somatization disorder? I eat healthy, slim, no smoking, alcohol, try to exercise but its hard because of the tachy feeling during/ after exercise.
I also sometimes use zopiclone.
My GP says I can choose whether to take the bb or not (only sympt.treating) Can I trust that my heart is healthy?
I am a 25 year old girl, history of anxiety and panic attacks since 5 years ago, with all the classic anxiety symptoms, feeling awful. had a constant heartrate of 90-115, doc gave me a betablocker (Atenolol) 50 mg good effect. Had EKG, echo and holter back then, everything fine. The last year I started getting fatigued (much stress in my nursingstudies) I started getting pain in my legmuscle, stopped exercising. Lots of anxiety, pounding heart, tachy, with dizziness when standing up, weakness in legs, pounding heart when switching positions, panic attacks where my heart litteraly pounds out of my throat, walking up a stair gives me tired legs (like a lactid acid feeling),
Docs say its stress/anxiety. My blood tests are all normal.
I have recently had a echo and holter, everything normal (only sinus tach. sometimes up tp 140-150 bpm-but then I was "exercising") Can this really be from alot of stress/anxiety/decontitioning? Can this damage my heart in any way? I am so scared it will give in. My resting rate is between 70-90. Have seen an endoctrinologist and neurologist recently-everything normal, just a little elevated cortisol in stamina (caused by stress)I take 25-50 mg atenolol, and it makes me fatigued, but works in calming my heart a little (is it safe to taper them off to see if that helps?)
The most distressing symptom is my constant pounding heart (I feel every beat) I can never relax.Very typical for anxiety disorder? And can the betablocker stop working after a while? I can`t increase the dose, as my bp goes too low. Bp now is 120/80 and sometimes lower (105/65)
Possibe IST, POTS/DYSAUTONOMIA, CFS? Should I trust the docs diagnosis of anxiety/somatization disorder? I eat healthy, slim, no smoking, alcohol, try to exercise but its hard because of the tachy feeling during/ after exercise.
I also sometimes use zopiclone.
My GP says I can choose whether to take the bb or not (only sympt.treating) Can I trust that my heart is healthy?
Doctor's Answer
by Michael J. McWilliams, M.D., Apr 30, 2008 09:01PM
, Apr 30, 2008 09:01PM
I am going to have to plea the fifth on this one. I can't really assess for the difference between anxiety, dysautonomia, IST, etc over the internet. Those are very difficult distinctions to make even if the interactions is face to face. It is very common with those conditions for anxiety to co exist and if the anxiety is severe, it is often difficult to see past the anxiety.
The only way to know if the beta blocker will help is to try it. IF your doctor is recommending it, it is probably a worth a shot.
I hope this helps.
The only way to know if the beta blocker will help is to try it. IF your doctor is recommending it, it is probably a worth a shot.
I hope this helps.
FYI: I have ALWAYS been able to feel my heart beat. Even as a kid. I'm now a 33 year old male, have a structurally healthy heart, BP is 110/70, and cholesterol is very good.