Bad stress and anxiety skipped heart beats

[19Rob76]

Hi, my first symptoms started about 2 months ago. The previous day I worked in the direct Arizona sun all day. I then went to my son's football game that lasted until 10 pm. I slammed a pepsi down and then went to bed. I woke up late the next morning and was in a rush. I walked downstairs and felt this weird vibrating hummingbird like bubble feeling in my chest. For some reason it prompted me to check my pulse. It was skipping beats. I was terrified. I had a mild panic attack and everything eventually went away. I kept checking my pulse and it happened a couple of more times. I was basically scared to eat, drink, or do anything that whole day. I at that point stopped drinking soda cold turkey. I eventually got my wits back and life as usual. 5 nights later it happened again this time I had a full blown panic attack that prompted the ER visit. Dr said everyone’s heart skips beats some are just more aware of it. He said it probably appeared to skip a beat but it was actually panic that caused it. That was June 6th 2014. I have had small bouts here and there but nothing different than before. I finally saw cardiologist on July 11th. He said my EKG from ER visit is the same I had in 2008. He listened to my heart for about 30 seconds and said he wanted me to do a ECG, stress test, and wear a 30 day monitor. The ECG and stress test was refused by my insurance. I had the monitor for 2 weeks before I put it on. I could not wear it long because of my job. I did had have one episode while wearing it so he could see what my heart was doing. So I stopped wearing it last Saturday . What do you know! I had several of these episodes Saturday night. I then got my monitor out again and wore it rest of Saturday and Sunday. What it feels like is a vibrating bubble or humming bird in my chest (No pain). That then prompts me to feel my pulse and its always out of beat or skipping beats. It then feels like I have to cough and when I do all symptoms go away.  I have had like a raspiness in my chest a few months now and has gotten progressively worse. Sometimes I cough to the point I throw up and or have sharp pain on my head. I have also been diagnosed with GERD a few years back. I was using Agave in my coffee and drinking a lot of Arizona tea with honey and Ginseng since my initial attack. I do have a lot of stress mostly due to unhappy home life, job, and especially money. My wife needs surgery, kids need dental work, and we need a car fixed and then just everyday living. I know stress leads to panic and anxiety. I am not an optimistic type person. I basically think the worst about everything. Every since 2008 I have been to the doctor several times for chest pain and they always conclude to anxiety / stress.  These episodes of skipped beats have only been between the hours of 10pm and 8am kind of weird. Does anyone know what these are and why do they basically happen at night or times of rest? I’ve heard it could be caused from GERD, Anxiety, Lungs as well. I am overweight with torso fat but I do have a lot of muscle as well as I am active and used to be an athlete. Please if anyone else has these things let me know what I can do or try. Happening at night makes it worse as I want to rest but can’t. They say one of the best cures for anxiety is rest. But with a racing mind and fear of these happening at night I can’t sleep.

[19Rob76]

I'm a little concerned that if I don't need magnesium I'll OD on it and give me more issues. Did it stop them completely?

[AndyMac23]

Give Chelated Magnesium Oxide a change Rob. It's just a mineral. Worked for me. The heart uses magnesium for a lot of things.

[19Rob76]

I had thyroid test came back normal. My last skipped beat Episode of skipped beats was Wed night around 11pm It's now almost 1pm on Friday now. Regulated food intake didn't eat past 2pm. I hope I can control it with diet and exercise. I never happened often except that one Saturday almost all night and the day after I kicked the metroprolol after 3 doses. Anxiety is bad when going to bed still because that's when they happen usually. Been sleeping upright past 2 nights then gradually move down as the night progresses. I am overweight hope cutting the weight will give my torso / lungs / stomach some relief.

[GoodKitties]

That sounds a lot like what happened to me when I was later diagnosed with hyper-thyroidism (which was acute and temporary).  The doctor put me on a beta-blocker and it went away the same day -- I also didn't get the panic attacks after that.  After about six months the thyroid went back into the normal range.  It's more common for women, but men get it too; the test is pretty cheap -- insurance will usually pay.  Hope you get to the help you need!  It feels creepy to have your heart flutter that way, and I noticed that dehydration made it a lot worse.

[19Rob76]

I had to stop taking metoprolol because I couldn't sleep after 3 doses. I was due to take next one at 7am this morning but didn't I had 9 skipped beats episodes so far at 1:24pm to 1:46pm . This is first time I've had them during the day. I just must face I'm probably going to die from this. I'm not taking meds. Side effects really suck.

[AndyMac23]

I had skipped heartbeats because of anxiety and I was put on Chelated Magnesium Oxide 200-250mg a day. Haven't had them since.

[remar]

Cutting caffeine can really help. If you can do completely without it that's even better. Yes, diet may help too. Make sure to eat foods with potassium, like I mentioned in my above post.
All meds can have possible side effects so your headache could have been from the new med. Things might get better and this side effect could very well go away when your body gets adjusted.
Exercise, eating properly, meditation and therapy can really help with not only your overall health but your anxiety too.
Keep yourself hydrated. I keep my glass of water full all day long. When you're dehydrated your body will react to that.

[19Rob76]

I got results from my 24 hour monitor and Dr said it did show my heart was skipping beats. He said it was not serious but if I become symptomatic it could be a problem. He put me on metoprolol 25 mg 2 x a day. I have never taken a prescription, but this is my heart. I just took 2nd dose and 2-1/2 hours later feel a bit light headed maybe due to mild headache and lack of fluid intake. This drug has a ton of side effects which scares the crap out of me. One being anxiety which I already have. I'm wondering if there is a natural way to get heart back into shape like completely cut caffeine exercise more stress less or foods perhaps? If anyone has a recommendation I'll for sure look into it. I'm 38 with 4 kids and don't want to be on meds the rest of my life.  

[remar]

I agree with the above poster. I would like to add that if you're low on potassium it may cause skipped heart beats. You were in the sun and most likely dehydrated. Sweating can deplete your potassium. If this happens again drink a glass of orange juice and or have a banana.

[19Rob76]

I did see a counselor before and it kind of got on my nerves more than it helped and ultimately, I just didn't have time to see if that changed.. I never have people to talk to because when I do you can see it in their face like oh god he's talking about it again. I try and relax but seems impossible. People say think happy thoughts and even the thought of my kids does not help. I do tend to focus on things like right now I'm knowingly not living life because of my worry. I know I can't do that, but it does not help.When I take time for myself I think, I could be doing something to make money instead. I don't know how to overcome this. Trying to get over it is stressful itself. It only tends to really bother me at rest or relaxation which is another reason R&R is so difficult.

[mele48]

I'm sorry you're going through this!

I'm not a medical professional, so I can't diagnose.  But, yes, anxiety can cause the sensation of or actual skipped beats - happens to me, too.

It sounds like you are under a LOT of stress.  Stress is hard on the body & can show up in many different physical symptoms.  It can make it very easy to hyper-focus on what is different or scary, which can trigger more stress or anxiety.

Have you considered seeing a counselor?  Mine has been invaluable in helping me identify my stress/anxiety triggers, how to retrain my brain in terms of avoiding that hyper-focus vortex, and some good self-talk practices.  

I know family responsibilities create so much pressure - but don't forget to take time out for yourself.  Get some R&R in to relax and let go.  

Hope things get better for you soon - hang in there!