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Does Anxiety Increase The Risk For Heart Diseases?
Question: Hello,
I am a 29 year old male in overall good health. Blood Pressure is 117/71 and heart rate is 65, both resting, triglyceriges are normal, my Cholesterol is borderline high, but I take flaxseed oil, as it was once borderline high before (230) but dropped my Cholesterol 45 points, my LDL 23 points and raised my HDL by about 8 points. I am on the oil again as it worked well the first time. I am 6'3 and 225 and I know I could lose a few, but I have come down from the 236 I was at a year ago. Here is my question. I have an anxiety disorder and take 200 MG of Zoloft per day, 2 MG of Xanax Extended release, and take Clonidine off label for anxiety only. I used to have full blown panic disorder, but I do have panic attacks from time to time. My question is this, being anxious has caused me to worry about my heart and I have been worrying about it since I was 20, due to the anxiety. I went to the ER and when I got there my heart rate was 125-135 and my blood pressure was 162/99, but both came way down once I calmed down. They ran an EKG on me and said everything looked fine and did a cardiac enzyme test and said everything was fine along with blood work. The doctor could tell I was still a little rattled, he told me that with them giving me an EKG with my heart rate so high and BP high also and it looking really good, he says that shows my heart is probably in pretty good shape. He is an ER doctor but I just wanted to get a second opinion. He said I basically had been given a stress test except instead of using chemicals my adrenaline got me stimulated and the EKG looked good. Do you agree? Second question is this...do anxiety disorders cause heart disease later in life? Just so you know, I have been active most of my life, I have no family history of early heart disease, have a size 34 waist and my blood glucose fasting is 88. Would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.
I am a 29 year old male in overall good health. Blood Pressure is 117/71 and heart rate is 65, both resting, triglyceriges are normal, my Cholesterol is borderline high, but I take flaxseed oil, as it was once borderline high before (230) but dropped my Cholesterol 45 points, my LDL 23 points and raised my HDL by about 8 points. I am on the oil again as it worked well the first time. I am 6'3 and 225 and I know I could lose a few, but I have come down from the 236 I was at a year ago. Here is my question. I have an anxiety disorder and take 200 MG of Zoloft per day, 2 MG of Xanax Extended release, and take Clonidine off label for anxiety only. I used to have full blown panic disorder, but I do have panic attacks from time to time. My question is this, being anxious has caused me to worry about my heart and I have been worrying about it since I was 20, due to the anxiety. I went to the ER and when I got there my heart rate was 125-135 and my blood pressure was 162/99, but both came way down once I calmed down. They ran an EKG on me and said everything looked fine and did a cardiac enzyme test and said everything was fine along with blood work. The doctor could tell I was still a little rattled, he told me that with them giving me an EKG with my heart rate so high and BP high also and it looking really good, he says that shows my heart is probably in pretty good shape. He is an ER doctor but I just wanted to get a second opinion. He said I basically had been given a stress test except instead of using chemicals my adrenaline got me stimulated and the EKG looked good. Do you agree? Second question is this...do anxiety disorders cause heart disease later in life? Just so you know, I have been active most of my life, I have no family history of early heart disease, have a size 34 waist and my blood glucose fasting is 88. Would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.
Brief Answer:
You have nothing to worry about.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
I passed carefully through your question and agree with your attending physician on this clinical situation. Your performed cardiac tests have excluded any possible cardiac disorder.
You should know that anxiety induces an increase in circulating catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) which lead to tachycardia (including ectopic heart beats)and high blood pressure.
These episodes are usually harmless and do not need any antihypertensive therapy.
Regarding your second question, I would explain that anxiety does not cause any specific cardiac disorder. The cardiac arrhythmia related to anxiety, is usually harmless.
Anyway, it can lead to an increase in your blood pressure (usually in older patients) which if persistent could lead to a higher cardiovascular risk.
The most important thing is to regularly monitor your blood pressure and refer those values to your doctor.
Your blood lipid profile does not impose to any higher cardiovascular risk, as it seems to be under control.
The only thing I would recommend, would be performing a lot of physical activity and modify your diet (low sugar and fat intake, avoid fast food, take a lot of vegetables and fibers, reduce salt and caffeine intake) in order to loose some pounds. Overweight is a known cardiovascular risk factor.
Hope to have been of help!
Wishing all the best for this New Year,
Dr. Iliri
You have nothing to worry about.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
I passed carefully through your question and agree with your attending physician on this clinical situation. Your performed cardiac tests have excluded any possible cardiac disorder.
You should know that anxiety induces an increase in circulating catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) which lead to tachycardia (including ectopic heart beats)and high blood pressure.
These episodes are usually harmless and do not need any antihypertensive therapy.
Regarding your second question, I would explain that anxiety does not cause any specific cardiac disorder. The cardiac arrhythmia related to anxiety, is usually harmless.
Anyway, it can lead to an increase in your blood pressure (usually in older patients) which if persistent could lead to a higher cardiovascular risk.
The most important thing is to regularly monitor your blood pressure and refer those values to your doctor.
Your blood lipid profile does not impose to any higher cardiovascular risk, as it seems to be under control.
The only thing I would recommend, would be performing a lot of physical activity and modify your diet (low sugar and fat intake, avoid fast food, take a lot of vegetables and fibers, reduce salt and caffeine intake) in order to loose some pounds. Overweight is a known cardiovascular risk factor.
Hope to have been of help!
Wishing all the best for this New Year,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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