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What Causes High Heart Rate And Irregular Heart Beats Despite Having Normal Cardiac Tests?
Question: Hello. I have anxiety about my health. I was seen by 2 separate cardiologists this year and the most recent was 4 months ago. All my tests showed a structurally normal heart. I passed both stress tests. My Holter showed that I get pacs and very few pvcs which both cardiologist insists are due to anxiety and possibly some acid reflux. I also get palpitations on and off but not everyday. I am doing cbt therapy now to help the anxiety.
My anxiety used to be worse where I couldn't leave the house and it has improved quite a bit as I go out all the time now but I worry about my health so I don't do a lot of physical activity besides walking. I tend to check my pulse a lot and it feels irrelegular sometimes. I get palpitations on occasion where my heart rate will go up to 175. Is this common with anxiety? These episodes usually last less than 5 minutes. I am also seeing a psychiatrist for psychotherapy who is trying without medication for now as I have been improving
My anxiety used to be worse where I couldn't leave the house and it has improved quite a bit as I go out all the time now but I worry about my health so I don't do a lot of physical activity besides walking. I tend to check my pulse a lot and it feels irrelegular sometimes. I get palpitations on occasion where my heart rate will go up to 175. Is this common with anxiety? These episodes usually last less than 5 minutes. I am also seeing a psychiatrist for psychotherapy who is trying without medication for now as I have been improving
Brief Answer:
Anxiety can cause such high heart rate
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
I read your query and understood your concern.
You are only 32 years old.At this age chances of any significant cardiac problem is very less.Your complete cardiac check up and opinion of 2 cardiologists are almost sufficient to rule out any cardiac pathology.
Anxiety symptoms can mimic cardiac symptoms.
You have anxiety as well as acid reflux which also be related to anxiety or vice versa.
Anxiety leads to sympathetic hyperactivity.This high sympathetic tone leads to fast beating of heart, rate of which varies according to person's anxiety attack.It may go up to 200 per minute in some cases but for few seconds to minutes only not persistent.This is also responsible for pacs and pvcs.
When someone becomes conscious during anxiety about heart rhythm or checks his own pulse rate it causes more anxiety and more heart rate.
I request you to do not do the same.
You are improving with psychotherapy and without medicines, you can go out easily, anxiety episodes are not lasting more than 5 minutes, these all are really good factors and suggest that you do not have severe anxiety problem.
Carry on with CBT and regular exercise.You will come out of this completely.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Anxiety can cause such high heart rate
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
I read your query and understood your concern.
You are only 32 years old.At this age chances of any significant cardiac problem is very less.Your complete cardiac check up and opinion of 2 cardiologists are almost sufficient to rule out any cardiac pathology.
Anxiety symptoms can mimic cardiac symptoms.
You have anxiety as well as acid reflux which also be related to anxiety or vice versa.
Anxiety leads to sympathetic hyperactivity.This high sympathetic tone leads to fast beating of heart, rate of which varies according to person's anxiety attack.It may go up to 200 per minute in some cases but for few seconds to minutes only not persistent.This is also responsible for pacs and pvcs.
When someone becomes conscious during anxiety about heart rhythm or checks his own pulse rate it causes more anxiety and more heart rate.
I request you to do not do the same.
You are improving with psychotherapy and without medicines, you can go out easily, anxiety episodes are not lasting more than 5 minutes, these all are really good factors and suggest that you do not have severe anxiety problem.
Carry on with CBT and regular exercise.You will come out of this completely.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Doctor thank you for getting back to me. Does anxiety cause damage to the heart? I know people always day that anxiety can not hurt you and it's just your head but can these symptoms damage my heart? I am leaving for a trip tonight and I am worries because I get a little nervous when I travel but I have to get past this hurdle in order to improve. Also after having all these tests by my cardiologist, I sometimes worry that they missed something. Is this just the anxiety? The feeling of etopic beats is very uncomfortable. However they have improved since bringing down anxiety.will these etopic beats ever go away and do they do damage?
Brief Answer:
Anxiety does not cause damage to heart until it lasts for years & untreated
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
Anxiety does not cause any damage to heart until it is chronic and severe and person is not treated for anxiety.When anxiety remains there for more than 20 years there are some chances that it can cause some cardiac dysfunction and that is only when other risk factors like obesity,smoking, family history are present.
In your case there is no chance that your anxiety can damage your heart.
You are improving in anxiety and you are trying your best to fight with it. In this case no need to worry at all.
Many of the patients with anxiety often feel that doctor has missed something. They go to one doctor to another and for unnecessary frequent investigations. You should understand this aspect from cognition point of view and never should go for investigation on your own until advised by doctor. Opinion of 2 cardiologists and list of investigations done are more than enough.
Ectopic beat when associated with anxiety goes away completely if anxiety is treated and cured.Your case this is going to happen likely.
No ectopic beat does not damage heart.
Now be relax and do not think in detail about pulse and beats.
take care.
Anxiety does not cause damage to heart until it lasts for years & untreated
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
Anxiety does not cause any damage to heart until it is chronic and severe and person is not treated for anxiety.When anxiety remains there for more than 20 years there are some chances that it can cause some cardiac dysfunction and that is only when other risk factors like obesity,smoking, family history are present.
In your case there is no chance that your anxiety can damage your heart.
You are improving in anxiety and you are trying your best to fight with it. In this case no need to worry at all.
Many of the patients with anxiety often feel that doctor has missed something. They go to one doctor to another and for unnecessary frequent investigations. You should understand this aspect from cognition point of view and never should go for investigation on your own until advised by doctor. Opinion of 2 cardiologists and list of investigations done are more than enough.
Ectopic beat when associated with anxiety goes away completely if anxiety is treated and cured.Your case this is going to happen likely.
No ectopic beat does not damage heart.
Now be relax and do not think in detail about pulse and beats.
take care.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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