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Suggest Treatment For Chest Pains And Palpitations
Question: Having chest pains and palpitations from time to time. I have had many ECG's, 24hr monitor and an echo showing no structural/electrical issues. I am just worried as when i have the palpitations it is quite scary in how quickly it can happen and also how quickly it stops. It doesn't happen all the time only when I'm too warm, exerting myself too much, bending over or stressing. I have been put on Citalapram 10mg once a day to help which it has. There is no family history of heart disease at all. I am just worried and it could all just be in my head which is good and bad I guess. I can crack my chest and after a while it hurts alot (obviously) so I think this might be causing my stinging chest pains. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated
Brief Answer:
This are the panic attacks
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for your query. Welcome to HCM.
Whatever symptoms you are experiencing, are part of panic attacks, type of anxiety disorder in which there is a false alarm in brain regarding threatening situation and it triggers hormonal flush which causes all the symptoms.
It comes in episode and reaches to peak within 10 minutes and subsides within next 10 minutes on its own. Sometimes when it is more severe then you have to take anxiolytics. This can be associated with stress and feared situations. During the episode because of the severity person feels that he might lose his mind and go crazy. He starts feeling impeding doom apart from other symptoms. Because of these symptoms person may start avoiding going outside home alone.
It is anxiety disorder and treated with antidepressant drugs like paroxetine, escitalopram, sertraline, fluoxetine which all are SSRIs. They usually are very effective drugs and effects will start within 10 to 15 days. Drugs need to be continued for at least 6 to 8 months. sudden stopping the drugs may cause relapse of the symptoms.
Take drugs properly and if you have stress in your life related to work or family then work over that. You can take help of psychotherapy also.
Hope I have answered your question. If you have further query then feel free to ask. Wish you good health.
This are the panic attacks
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for your query. Welcome to HCM.
Whatever symptoms you are experiencing, are part of panic attacks, type of anxiety disorder in which there is a false alarm in brain regarding threatening situation and it triggers hormonal flush which causes all the symptoms.
It comes in episode and reaches to peak within 10 minutes and subsides within next 10 minutes on its own. Sometimes when it is more severe then you have to take anxiolytics. This can be associated with stress and feared situations. During the episode because of the severity person feels that he might lose his mind and go crazy. He starts feeling impeding doom apart from other symptoms. Because of these symptoms person may start avoiding going outside home alone.
It is anxiety disorder and treated with antidepressant drugs like paroxetine, escitalopram, sertraline, fluoxetine which all are SSRIs. They usually are very effective drugs and effects will start within 10 to 15 days. Drugs need to be continued for at least 6 to 8 months. sudden stopping the drugs may cause relapse of the symptoms.
Take drugs properly and if you have stress in your life related to work or family then work over that. You can take help of psychotherapy also.
Hope I have answered your question. If you have further query then feel free to ask. Wish you good health.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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