Tachycardia, palpitations, anxiety and hormones

[scareddee]

Hello,

Thank you for taking my questions and for providing this very valuable service.

I am a woman who turned 49 years old yesterday.  I have a ten year history of panic and GAD that waxes and wanes.  Cardiac symptoms, such as tachycardia and "skipped" beats occur when it's high.  I have had two echocardiograms, the first showed MVP(mild, but medicate for dental work), the second didn't.  These were both performed several years ago.  I had a normal holter monitor test last April.  I did have some symptoms, but was told holter was "normal."  I did not ask any specifics.

I have been having increasing bouts of tachycardia and palpitations again.  I am also struggling again with my anxiety and I'm in the middle of an awful perimenopause.  I am sometimes anemic and have had problems in the past with low potassium.  Lab values for each of these was normal last month when I had them retested.

My questions for you are: 1.  How much do changing hormones and anxiety-produced adrenaline factor in to periodic tachycardia and palpitations?  2.  Is there any way I can tell if anxiety is precipitating the palps or if the palps are precipitating the anxiety?  3.  Would more testing be in order and if so, which tests would be helpful?  4.  Is it better to medicate for the anxiety or the cardiac symptoms?  (I have had success in the past with klonopin and had no problems coming off.  I have had terrible side effects with SSRI's and also with beta blockers.  I am willing to give the beta blockers another chance if that is the best route to go.)

Thank you very much.

[fearfactor]

Hi, all - my palps are DEFINITELY cycle-related.  They are worst at ovulation and PMS.  During my pregnancy, they almost completely went away - what a wonderful blessing!  :)  Now, since I have had my baby, they're back at times but thankfully not as bad as before.  My doctor recommended low-dose BC pills because she agrees they're hormone-related and the pill would even this out.  I'm a little scared but am thinking of going ahead and trying it.  I will let you all know how it works.  I have taken BC pills before - Yasmin - and my anxiety was HORRIBLE and I was having bad panic attacks and palpitations so I'm definitely NOT trying that one!  It is a bit different from other BC pills, though!

[tickertock]

I agree with Al Dente's comments, I myself take atenolol 100mg daily in divided doses , I rarely have PVCs anymore, "knock on wood". While beta blockers are not for everyone and may even aggravate PVCs that occur at a lower heartrates, even though it is my understanding that beta blockers have been linked to an increase in glucose intolerance or even mild/borderline diabetes, the benefits of beta blockers have been well established, life would be difficult for me without them.If you can tolerate them and they work for you the benefits of taking them far outweigh the mild changes in blood sugar than can be controlled by diet, exercise  or even an added medication if necessary.Beta blockers have proven to be invaluable in the treatment of CAD, MI's ,reducing the incidences of arrhythmias, helping with anxiety & adrenaline induced tachycardia and PVCs.It is my understanding that even in CHF, beta blockers have proven tobe most helpful, greatly improving heart function and quality of life. My personal opinions and observations only from all the information I have gathered from being on a beta blocker myself.

[tickertock]

For most beta blocker's alone are not the first line drug or best medication at controlling HBP, for some a low dose beta blocker or high dose beta blocker does the trick with hypertension, like you stated it's all trial and error. I used to suffer from mild hypertension , not terribly elevated, but stubborn, I tried cozaar only, barely moved it, tried atenolol only, barely moved it, though it was only around 135-145/ 85-95, the the combo of atenolol & cozaar was added, dropped to around 120-130/80-85, due to my last echo showing mild hypertrophy of interventricular septum, HCTZ 12.5mg was added for ultimate BP control, cardio said he wanted to see BP around the 110-100/60-70 range, so far I would say it probably averages 105/65 most of the time. The key for me is the combination therapy of the beta, ARB, and diuretic. Like you stated it's all trial and error and perserverance, working with your doc or cardio to see what works for you.

Cheers and I hope you're feeling better.Your imput is much appreciated on this forum.

[kitcurious]

Maybe it has something to do with people perceiving them not the number people actually have. Are there any studies on it?

[yoshi74]

Hey...I think it is so interesting that there are so many people that have pvc'/pac's during their cycle but doc's seem to say there are no correlation...at least that is what my doc said....I am convinced there has to be...I have them all of the time but they are WAY more profound that time of the month. This month has been really bad though. I am on my cycle now and I have been having palps left and right..even in my sleep...my cramps are pretty bad...and I am chasing around a 3 year old as well....aaahhhhh!!  Have you or anyone else ever been told that your cycle doesn't have anything to do with palps??...

[Carrie41]

Anyone have any success with any meds for anxiety about your heart?  I take 20 mg celexa (I just upped my dose a month ago because I was so stressed about my heart).  It does not to be donig the trick.  I still am freaking out everytime my heart skips.  Happened 10 times yesterday and I am on edge contantly.  I am going to see my doctor next week to ask if I should be taking some other sort of anxiety meds but I would like to know what has worked well for others regarding obessing about your heart.  Any suggestions??