heart acceleration, dizzyness, fear

[bob616]

While going home from the gym this week I felt dizzy and a feeling of fear in my chest kind of like wanting to faint. I felt Like I needed to calm down, I got in my car and as I drove home I played the radio, called people on the phone, turned the AC on and off but nothing seemed to work, I was afraid. As I kept driving home my heart rate just sky rocketed to the point where I thought of stoping at a store and asking them to call 911. I finnaly made it home and eventually calmed down but ever since that day at random points of any day I get the same symptoms very lightly but I still they are there. I have checked my vitals several times and all is fine. Blood pressure is fine aswell. I would also like to add that I drink alcoholic beverages about 3-4 times out of the week and have been doing so for some time now. After a night of drinking I feel the same symptoms in the mornings only that I sleep it off. I used to think that it was due to the hangovers but my concern now is that it keeps accuring  randomly at any time of the day even on days when I don't drink.

[Jody2ms]

This is an old thread but what you are describing is called reactive hypoglycemia.  It is a drop in blood sugar that brings on the fight or flight response.....rapid heart rate, feelings of doom and distress etc.  It is not a panic attack. It is the body releasing adrenaline to raise your blood sugar.  It can come on after high intensity exercise and is often the result of overtraining syndrome.  If it ever happens again drink 6oz of orange juice followed by some peanut butter crackers.  

[itdood]

You are probably best served to talk to a doctor, I should have put that in my first post.

They can hook you to an event monitor and catch the heart racing issue, see what's going on.

[bob616]

I just read in an article that exercise helps reduce anxiety. Why do you think I felt these symptoms after exercising?

[bob616]

So what do you think is triggering the anxiety attacks? When I felt these symptoms the strongest was after the workout at the gym.

[itdood]

Hi Bob, you're describing anxiety attacks to a tee.