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Can Anxiety Cause High Heart Rate?

Posted on Wed, 28 Jan 2015

Question: Can anxiety cause my heart rate to go up to 150 BPM throughout the day. I' had 4 separate episodes last night. The first lasted 3 minutes, the others around 1 minute. Can anxiety be doing this? 8 had several tests done to my heart 4 months ago including holter monitor, ECG, heart ultrasound, stress test and loop monitor. All came back normal however I did not have an episode during these tests. I am so scared right now and woke up today very anxious

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes anxiety can cause your heart to go up to 150 BPM throughout the day.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX!
I read your query and understood your concerns.

Yes anxiety can cause your heart to go up to 150 BPM throughout the day. One of the major manifestation of anxiety and stress disorders is tachycardia (HR above 100 BPM going up to 200 BPM) associated with palpitations and chest discomfort. In some cases they may mimic a heart attack.

It's a good sign that you have done all the test which came back normal. However can you upload the test results to me? This way i will be able to give a more accurate opinion.

I'm waiting for the test results to be uploaded.
Meanwhile I wish you health!
Dr. Benard

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (7 minutes later)

Hi Doctor and thank you for your response. I do not have my tests on hand. I do know that my cardiologist said there was no arythmia present, and during the tests my heart was in regular sinus rythm. My usual resting heart rate is around 60 when I'm relaxed. I have been very stressed and anxious lately because he said sometimes you need to catch an episode while it's happening so that made me think something is wrong with my heart again. How can I tell if it's Afib or svt or just anxiety? I do feel like I get skipped beats in the morning when I wake up but he also said nothing shows up on the monitors so it's anxiety

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I recommend to repeat holter monitoring...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Most probably is anxiety related, however i recommend to repeat holter monitoring to see if you have any kind of arrhythmias. If the holter is again negative than you shouldn't worry about arrhythmas.

If you were my patients I would recommend:
- Do an ECG where you feel palpitations
- Repeat Holter monitoring
- Do hormonal balance especially thyroid hormones
If everything is ok than you are having only anxiety related disorders.

Wish you health!
Dr. Benard

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (1 minute later)

Ok Thank you I will definitely do that. Do you think I will be ok until I can get another test next week?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I think you will be ok till the test will be done.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back again,

I think you will be ok till the test will be done. However if you don't fill good you can go to ER to exclude any life threatening situations.

Wish you health!
Dr. Benard

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar