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What Could Cause Heart Palpitations?
hello, I just ran a really fast heart rate that lasted about a good 5 minutes , then slowed down on its own. I have a Cardiologist, but he insist that my fast heart rates are anxiety induced. This time around it felt really different. This was the first time that it ever beat that fast. I am currently taking Metroprolol 25mg once a day and Xanax .25mg as needed.
Mon, 31 Aug 2015
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, your symptoms seem to be related to anxiety, but a cardiac arrhythmia can't be excluded only by this symptomatology.
Did you take Xanax during this episode?
I recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful examination, a resting ECG and some blood lab tests:
- a complete blood count ( to exclude chronic anemia)
- thyroid hormone levels ( hyperthyroidism could cause similar symptoms)
- kidney and liver function tests
- blood electrolytes
-fasting glucose.
An ambulatory 24 hour ECG monitoring is necessary to rule in/out possible cardiac arrhythmia.
If all the above tests result normal, the most propable cause of your troubles would be anxiety.
In such a case you need to consult with your psychiatrist to start psycho therapy or a medical treatment (like an antidepressant).
Hope to have been helpful!
Best regards,
Dr. Iliri
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, your symptoms seem to be related to anxiety, but a cardiac arrhythmia can't be excluded only by this symptomatology.
Did you take Xanax during this episode?
I recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful examination, a resting ECG and some blood lab tests:
- a complete blood count ( to exclude chronic anemia)
- thyroid hormone levels ( hyperthyroidism could cause similar symptoms)
- kidney and liver function tests
- blood electrolytes
-fasting glucose.
An ambulatory 24 hour ECG monitoring is necessary to rule in/out possible cardiac arrhythmia.
If all the above tests result normal, the most propable cause of your troubles would be anxiety.
In such a case you need to consult with your psychiatrist to start psycho therapy or a medical treatment (like an antidepressant).
Hope to have been helpful!
Best regards,
Dr. Iliri
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