palpitations

[Ihatepalps2]

I am a 46 yr old female, severely overweight. On 50 mg atenolol 2x daily, for mild-moderate hypertension. Have had benign palps for 15+ years. Have had all the tests-including a Thallium stress test ( about 7 yrs ago) and a holter as recent as 7 months ago. I have been told over the years that my palps are stress related, and am on Lexapro, and Xanax used as needed-I have GAD and panic attacks. My palps came back a year ago after being gone for a long time. After an ER visit, where I was put thru blood work, monitors, Chest xrays, etc ( this was about a year and a half ago) I was sent home being told all was fine. Iam pretty much sedentary--my job is an 8 hr desk job-I do come home and do housework--but no exercise on a daily basis.
My question--I am trying to lose weight now. I have been ( for about 8 months now) taking the stairs DOWN ( no, not up..not yet) when I leave work each day. Thats 8 flights of steps.
Then a walk to the car which is usually the length of a city block. When I get to the car, Iam winded-my pulse ranges from 95-113 when I first get in the car.( thats with the Atenolol). It drops within a minute or two, back to my normal range, which is upper 60s, low 70's. I have noticed that the palpitations really fire up, immediatly after I sit down. After the steps and walking stops. I do not notice them during the steps and walking.
On the drive home, my palps are firing pretty good.
I keep thinking, this is the time my heart will just stop.
Should I stop taking the stairs down? Its something Ive done for quite a while...and have had the palps. I have off and on every day.

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

I can't really give advice like that here.  I can direct you to information, but not really safe for me to make decisions like that without face to face contact.

[Ihatepalps2]

sooooo....should I not do the stairs down anymore till Ive been to the Dr?

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

You should talk to your doctor about a medical evaluation to declare you low risk for exercise.  Once you know that you are low risk, continue doing the stairs and start slowly working to increase your exercise regimen.

PVCs in a structurally normal heart, normal ekg, normal stress test are low risk.  Try not to let your anxiety over them keep you trapped into being out of shape.


i hope this helps.