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Suggest Treatment For Agitation And Heart Palpitations

Posted on Wed, 28 Jan 2015

Question: Hi I'm suffering from a lot of anxiety and stress lately. I have had many tests done on my heart including ecg, holter monitor, loop monitor, ultrasound and stress test. They all came back normal. I have been having episodes where my heart starts to race out of nowhere. I feel a little agitated and then my heart rate goes up close to 150 BPM. I do breathing exercises and they pass in 3-5 mins sometimes shorter. Over the past few days they have happened several times. Yesterday 4 times and today twice already however it only lasted around a minute. I must add my tests never captures one of these episodes. Can anxiety be causing this to happen? Is it a heart issue that was missed. They come and go quickly but often and always happen at night when I get home.

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes anxiety can cause such symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. Fancesco,

Thanks for writing to us.

I can understand your worry and concern for confusion about heart problem.

You have undergone many tests including ecg, holter monitor, loop monitor, ultrasound and stress test.These all are normal. Your age of 31 is also against heart problem. From these I can say your current episodic panic attacks are likely due to anxiety only.

In anxiety, sympathetic nervous system becomes hyperactive which is responsible for tachycardia(pulse more than 100per minute). It relieves with breathing exercise also suggests it is likely anxiety.

From your narration I feel your main concern is that ,"Doctor has missed something of your heart problem?"Answer is NO. You have been tested for all investigations needed to rule out such problem and results are normal.

I feel, only thyroid tests and serum vitamin B12 to be checked in your case. If they are normal, you should consult psychiatrist for Diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorder.It can be treated very well with medicines and/or psychotherapy.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (50 minutes later)

Thank you doctor that is great to hear. I did not know anxiety can cause these XXXXXXX episodes so frequently. Also I was concerned because the doctor said he did not capture an episode on the tests. Do you think this would matter?

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No, it does not matter

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for follow up.

It is not possible that your anxiety symptoms reflect in tests for heart.
The tests you underwent had been for testing of heart function.
As your heart is working properly, it is not showing in tests.

Anxiety is response of peripheral vascular system while heart is pumping more in reflex response to that anxiety, not due to problem in heart itself. So it will not reflect/capture in tests.

Hope I have answered your query. If still any query there, I will be happy to answer. If not, you can close the discussion and if feasible give your feedback so I can improve service. In future you can contact me directly if you wish with this link: http://bit.ly/drchintansolanki

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju