Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Health Anxiety, EKG Revealed Sinus Tachycardia. Will My Anxiety Attacks Put Me In Cardiac Arrest?
Question: i have severe health anxiety, i am 32 years old and never had any medical issues. i am overweight at 202 lbs and 5'6 but have a very muscular build...i attached a picture of myself... i have had an ekg several months ago which came back with sinus tachycardia (i was severely anxious during office visit)..... i used to exercise intensely and it made me feel great, i never worried about my heart rate, now i get anxiety attacks anytime my heart rate goes up. because of this, i rarely exercise anymore for fear of anxiety attacks raising my already high exercising heart rate..... i am terrified of going to the doctors office and need a way to get over this fear of exercising..... so my question is, is it ok to push myself? should i keep exercising and not worry about what my heart rate is or will my anxiety attacks put me in cardiac arrest or something?
for example, the last anxiety attack i had, i was exercising comfortably at about 145 bpm then i had a thought "what if my heart rate doesnt go back down" .... i started myself into a panic attack, got off the treadmill, my heart rate jumped to 180bpm.... help! do i need to stop exercising?
for example, the last anxiety attack i had, i was exercising comfortably at about 145 bpm then i had a thought "what if my heart rate doesnt go back down" .... i started myself into a panic attack, got off the treadmill, my heart rate jumped to 180bpm.... help! do i need to stop exercising?
Hi,
Thanks for the query.
You have provided me with good information.
You seem to be most probably having Anxiety resulting in tachycardia (increase in heart rate). You have also done an ECG which shows Sinus Tachycardia, again before doing this test you were anxious.
Patients with anxiety may actually have a healthy heart, and their tachycardia can be fully attributed to anxious mental states. Heart rate can also go up physiologically while exercising. Heart rate becomes normal after a while in both these conditions. They usually do not result in any harm.
If your heart rate is normal while at rest and other non anxious moments, it does not seem like a concerning issue to me. You might consider getting a repeat ECG done when you are completely relaxed so as to rule out any other co existing heart illness. Medical treatment is entailed if any coexisting illness is found.
Do not get anxious when meeting a doctor. You can continue exercising without having any fear about your heart rate. Your anxiety is less likely to cause cardiac arrest.
Talk to your doctor about your anxiety issues. You may need any of the below measures to treat anxiety issues:
1. Medication – Use of anti-anxiety and anti-depressant.
2. Psychological Treatment for Anxiety – One of the most common and effective anxiety treatments is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and this method can be used with drugs or without drug.
3. XXXXXXX Breathing Exercise, Yoga and transcendental meditation can help relax the mind .
4. A visit to a psychiatrist might be useful in some people. Please consider it.
4. In addition thyroid function test to rule out over active thyroid is entailed.
Hope I have answered your query.I will be available for follow up.
Wish you good health.
Regards
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
