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Arrythmia, MVP or anxiety....please help
I am looking for some help to try to ease my mind. I have episodes where my heart feels like it is racing. This started two years ago and I went to the cardiologist who told me that my heart was fine. The only thing my test showed was the echo showed an elongated mitral valve WITHOUT prolapse WITH trace regurgitation. He was looking for MVP because he said he heard a clicking but after the echo said I did not have it. Also when I did the stress test it showed my heart rate went up to 180 bpm with in the first 5 min but there were no arrythmias just sinus tach. So I was told I was fine and that my problem was anxiety.
Do you think that I should be worried about the elongated valve? Can that cause these symptoms?
The thing is I have become so focused on my heart all day long that any little thing I feel scares me. So after 2 years of living in fear of having my heart race I went to another cardiologist who just listened to my heart and said that I have mitral valve prolapse. He did NOT do an echo to confirm it, he only did an EKG which showed sinus tach at 140 BPM because I was really nervous to be there.
My quetion is even though the Dr's are telling me it is just sinus tach, how can I be sure that when I feel this way it is not SVT are there other symptoms that I would get if it were SVT or an arrythmia. When I feel this way it usually will start because I feel like my heart is a little fast then I take my pulse I guess I get scared then I get hot then I feel like what if my heart doesnt slow back down(can that happen?) after about 5-10 min my heart slows back down and then I get really cold and shake.
Does this sound like symptoms of SVT or Mitral valve prolapse or anxiety?
I have had my thyroid checked and its normal, I dont drink, smoke, no drugs no caffiene.
One last question is my resting heart rate is 76 Bpm yet when I stand up it is 110 and if I walk around it is about 130 do these sound like normal rates? The 2nd cardiologist told me this is common with Mitral Valve Prolapse but I dont even know whose diagnosis to believe the Dr that told me my heart is fine or the one that said I have classic MVP symptoms and this is what I have. I am very worried to even walk around my house because I have become so afriad to feel my heart beat fast. I do not have chest pain or anything just feels fast and scary.
Please help me setttle my mind, I am sorry this is so long but I wanted to include as much information as possible to try to get help. Thank you so much, Jean
P.S- Do calcium supplements speed up your heart rate?
Do you think that I should be worried about the elongated valve? Can that cause these symptoms?
The thing is I have become so focused on my heart all day long that any little thing I feel scares me. So after 2 years of living in fear of having my heart race I went to another cardiologist who just listened to my heart and said that I have mitral valve prolapse. He did NOT do an echo to confirm it, he only did an EKG which showed sinus tach at 140 BPM because I was really nervous to be there.
My quetion is even though the Dr's are telling me it is just sinus tach, how can I be sure that when I feel this way it is not SVT are there other symptoms that I would get if it were SVT or an arrythmia. When I feel this way it usually will start because I feel like my heart is a little fast then I take my pulse I guess I get scared then I get hot then I feel like what if my heart doesnt slow back down(can that happen?) after about 5-10 min my heart slows back down and then I get really cold and shake.
Does this sound like symptoms of SVT or Mitral valve prolapse or anxiety?
I have had my thyroid checked and its normal, I dont drink, smoke, no drugs no caffiene.
One last question is my resting heart rate is 76 Bpm yet when I stand up it is 110 and if I walk around it is about 130 do these sound like normal rates? The 2nd cardiologist told me this is common with Mitral Valve Prolapse but I dont even know whose diagnosis to believe the Dr that told me my heart is fine or the one that said I have classic MVP symptoms and this is what I have. I am very worried to even walk around my house because I have become so afriad to feel my heart beat fast. I do not have chest pain or anything just feels fast and scary.
Please help me setttle my mind, I am sorry this is so long but I wanted to include as much information as possible to try to get help. Thank you so much, Jean
P.S- Do calcium supplements speed up your heart rate?
Hi Jean,
Sorry for taking so long to reply. In answer to your questions, did I ever find myself totally focused on my heart....oh my goodness yes.....each and every little feeling. I started out with the fast heart rate at odd times, it would wake me out of a deep sleep sometimes going as fast as 180 bpm. The fear that I added to the situation I grew to learn made it beat even faster. The sweat would be pouring off my face and down my chest. Even my feet would sweat. I could feel my heart pounding in my neck and ears. There I would be sitting in the dark feeling for my pulse, scaring myself silly. Once I calmed down and my heart rate slowed down then I would begin to get cold....teeth chattering cold and I would shake. I would have to put socks on, and sometimes I would drink warm water to get warm. Once I went to the doctor and learned I had Parasoxymal Artial Tachycardia (PAT's) I was still scared when it happened..but I also learned to talk to myself. Strange thing is, it mostly happened at night. Sometimes it happened while I was sitting in a hot tub, or taking a shower. Talk about getting out fast. Sometimes I prayed I'd get the soap washed out of my hair fast enough to get out. I began being afraid of being home alone. The extra fear that I added created more adrenaline which made it beat faster and for longer periods of time. It was when I learned to think positively, and it didn't happen overnight. I admit, it was hard work...but I knew that it had to be me and that I had to change my thinking....I actually got to the place where I would wake up, it would be beating fast and I'd acknowledge it...and think, well I'll wait and see what happens. Getting up and splashing cold water on your face helps, or taking a cold washcloth back to bed. It still happens once in a great while, it scares me...but not all consuming. I believe now that everything I experince now may be due to peri-menopause. I always heard this age (45) was supposed to be the best time of your life. I'm not sure. Try staying focused.....of course your focused on your fast heart rate, but focused on the positives.....it will get better if you try.....giving those what-if's is not good. MLS
Sorry for taking so long to reply. In answer to your questions, did I ever find myself totally focused on my heart....oh my goodness yes.....each and every little feeling. I started out with the fast heart rate at odd times, it would wake me out of a deep sleep sometimes going as fast as 180 bpm. The fear that I added to the situation I grew to learn made it beat even faster. The sweat would be pouring off my face and down my chest. Even my feet would sweat. I could feel my heart pounding in my neck and ears. There I would be sitting in the dark feeling for my pulse, scaring myself silly. Once I calmed down and my heart rate slowed down then I would begin to get cold....teeth chattering cold and I would shake. I would have to put socks on, and sometimes I would drink warm water to get warm. Once I went to the doctor and learned I had Parasoxymal Artial Tachycardia (PAT's) I was still scared when it happened..but I also learned to talk to myself. Strange thing is, it mostly happened at night. Sometimes it happened while I was sitting in a hot tub, or taking a shower. Talk about getting out fast. Sometimes I prayed I'd get the soap washed out of my hair fast enough to get out. I began being afraid of being home alone. The extra fear that I added created more adrenaline which made it beat faster and for longer periods of time. It was when I learned to think positively, and it didn't happen overnight. I admit, it was hard work...but I knew that it had to be me and that I had to change my thinking....I actually got to the place where I would wake up, it would be beating fast and I'd acknowledge it...and think, well I'll wait and see what happens. Getting up and splashing cold water on your face helps, or taking a cold washcloth back to bed. It still happens once in a great while, it scares me...but not all consuming. I believe now that everything I experince now may be due to peri-menopause. I always heard this age (45) was supposed to be the best time of your life. I'm not sure. Try staying focused.....of course your focused on your fast heart rate, but focused on the positives.....it will get better if you try.....giving those what-if's is not good. MLS
Hi Jean, Hopefully I'll finish this message before I screw up
and hit something else and post it before I finish.
I'm glad to see that you said you are starting to think positive and that when your heart races that it doesn't last as long, only 2-3 minutes. It has only been a week since you've started trying to think more positive. PLEASE don't be so hard on yourself. They say, and I've read many places and many times throughout the years that in when you are trying to start something new, such as think positive, quit smoking, change your eating habits, etc. that it begans to get easier after the 23rd day - if you try to be consistent. After being afraid for two years or so it is bound to take longer. Your body is sensitized to your thoughts, when you begin to think it is not going to work, repeat some of the things you've read above, over and over if you have to...give yourself time. Try reading Claire Weekes books again...she explains wonderfully. Best of luck.MLS
and hit something else and post it before I finish.
I'm glad to see that you said you are starting to think positive and that when your heart races that it doesn't last as long, only 2-3 minutes. It has only been a week since you've started trying to think more positive. PLEASE don't be so hard on yourself. They say, and I've read many places and many times throughout the years that in when you are trying to start something new, such as think positive, quit smoking, change your eating habits, etc. that it begans to get easier after the 23rd day - if you try to be consistent. After being afraid for two years or so it is bound to take longer. Your body is sensitized to your thoughts, when you begin to think it is not going to work, repeat some of the things you've read above, over and over if you have to...give yourself time. Try reading Claire Weekes books again...she explains wonderfully. Best of luck.MLS
Hi again,
I have been trying to take everyones advice and think positive. I am still having the episodes where my heart starts to race but they seem to not last as long only 2-3 minutes and then it passes. I am having a hard time with the mornings. I can feel great the night before and then as soon as I wake up it starts all over again. Does anyone else feel this way? Also I cant seem to stop focusing on my heart, even when it is slow like 79 BPM I find myself thinking about it because I am hoping that it wont start to race again.I guess I cant shake the fear of it. Anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with this? I guess it is anticipatory anxiety over my heart rate. Thanks again I am glad that there are people here that understand. Jean
I have been trying to take everyones advice and think positive. I am still having the episodes where my heart starts to race but they seem to not last as long only 2-3 minutes and then it passes. I am having a hard time with the mornings. I can feel great the night before and then as soon as I wake up it starts all over again. Does anyone else feel this way? Also I cant seem to stop focusing on my heart, even when it is slow like 79 BPM I find myself thinking about it because I am hoping that it wont start to race again.I guess I cant shake the fear of it. Anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with this? I guess it is anticipatory anxiety over my heart rate. Thanks again I am glad that there are people here that understand. Jean
Hi Jean,
I'm glad to see that you said you are starting to think positive and that when your heart races that it doesn't last as long, only 2-3 minutes. It has only been a week since you've started trying to think more positive. PLEASE
I'm glad to see that you said you are starting to think positive and that when your heart races that it doesn't last as long, only 2-3 minutes. It has only been a week since you've started trying to think more positive. PLEASE
Hi Jean,
I'm glad to see that you said you are starting to think positive and that when your heart races that it doesn't last as long, only 2-3 minutes. It has only been a week since you've started trying to think more positive. PLEASE
I'm glad to see that you said you are starting to think positive and that when your heart races that it doesn't last as long, only 2-3 minutes. It has only been a week since you've started trying to think more positive. PLEASE
Dear MLS,
Thanks for the encouragement...(I need it):) I keep trying to remind myself that it can not be a deadly arrythmia like I was so afraid that is was because it wouldnt pass in a few minutes like it always does. I still have a hard time believing 100% that it is not a true heart problem but wouldnt you think that something else would happen by now? There is still that little doubt that prevents me from being calm. When you used to have the attacks did you ever find yourself always focused on your heart? Also I get hot first and then after my heart calms down I get cold and I read this is typical with anxiety does it sound like it could be anything worse to you? My problem was I read about all of these arrythmias that sounded like what I was going through and then I scared myself even more.
Have a great day and I look forward to hearing from you again. Jean
Thanks for the encouragement...(I need it):) I keep trying to remind myself that it can not be a deadly arrythmia like I was so afraid that is was because it wouldnt pass in a few minutes like it always does. I still have a hard time believing 100% that it is not a true heart problem but wouldnt you think that something else would happen by now? There is still that little doubt that prevents me from being calm. When you used to have the attacks did you ever find yourself always focused on your heart? Also I get hot first and then after my heart calms down I get cold and I read this is typical with anxiety does it sound like it could be anything worse to you? My problem was I read about all of these arrythmias that sounded like what I was going through and then I scared myself even more.
Have a great day and I look forward to hearing from you again. Jean
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