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Is It Normal To Have Ectopic Heart Beats After A Stressful Day?

Posted on Thu, 28 May 2015

Question: Hi doctor I have benign pacs and the rare pvc according to my tests. Heart is structurally normal and my cardiologist insists that they are caused by my anxiety. He says my heart is very healthy. Today I had a very stressful day at work. I am a chef and I hosted a few large parties. When I was finished work I went to relax in bed and I began to get an increase in etopic beats. Is this normal to happen after a stressful day? My last holter recorded 400 pacs over 48 hours always in sinus rhythm

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
palpitations are common in a stressful situation

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for asking on HCM!

Regarding your concern I would like to explain that in your stressful situation it is quite normal to have such unpleasant feelings.

Palpitations and even some rare ectopic beats may frequently accur in healthy persons when there is an increased amount of anxiety and psychological stress, as well as physical one.
So do not worry about that! Just relax!

Remember that your heart tests have shown a normal situation. Rare PACs are unimportant.
It doesn't seem actually to be any obvious data, that may lead you to a dangerous situation.

Hope to have been helpful!
I am at your disposal for any other questions.
Feel free to contact me!
Greetings!
Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (17 minutes later)

Hi doctor thank you for your reply. So is it normal after the stressful situation has passed when it's time for rest, to feel these etopic beats?

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Just have some rest and a good sleep.

Detailed Answer:

Hi again XXXX!

Your rare PACs doesn't make any differences. There is not any threats for any complex arrhythmia after that.

Excessive exhaustion, and stress may result in a lower threshold for palpitation, as well as ectopic heart beats feelings.

You don't have to worry at all!

Just have a prolonged rest with a good sleep, and a plenty of drinking (water, etc).

Wish you a pleasant relax! Dr. Iliri

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

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (2 days later)

Hi doctor one last thing before I close the discussion . I didn't eat good today and had indigestion. I got up from the couch to carry my daughter upstairs to bed and my heart started racing pretty bad. I think I got more anxious about thinking of my heart racing and it got worse. My heart rate went up to 180 bpm. Is that normal? Can this happen with a panic or anxiety attack of your heart is already racing from going up the stairs?

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Your heart rate reaction is physiologically normal.

Detailed Answer:

Hello!

Looks that both of your explanations are the obvious reasons for your heart rate racing.

Getting immediately out of bed, and hurrying upstairs results for sure in a physiological sinus tachycardia.

Anxiety for changing a resting state to a physically active one, is also another contributor.

You don't have to worry about that.

Greetings! Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (10 minutes later)

Hi doctor thank you for your reply. I understand the physical activity and anxiety can raise your heart rate but is it normal for it to go that high? Also later that night and this morning after that episode I could feel lots of pacs. Is this common?

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It is a normal heart reaction.

Detailed Answer:

Hi dear XXXX!

The fact that you have experienced palpitations, may have created the idea of PACs occurrence.

It is difficult without monitoring to differentiate if they were lots of PACs, or just a pure continuing sinus tachycardia.

In your situation, those feelings may have normally happened, as it has been a stressful period, starting with indigestion, also abrupt getting out of couch, to climbing stairs.

Remember, PACs are generally innocent, they do not harm you, they are not dangerous. If you are looking continuously for them, they will be around.

So, my advice is do don't think too much about PACs,

Greetings! Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (33 minutes later)

Hi doctor sorry maybe I worded my last question incorrectly. I understand stress and negative thinking can cause pacs
What I was trying to ask was can heart rate go up to 180-190 bpm with anxiety? Is that dangerous?

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes! A heart rate like that is normally possible.

Detailed Answer:

Hi!

As you are a young and healthy person (32), it is possible for your heart rate to reach even around 180-190 bpm on stressful situations.

If it keeps going on sinus rhythm, there is nothing dangerous.

Wish you good health! Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (23 minutes later)

Great thank you for explaining that doctor. At that high rate am I at risk for it to go out of sinus rhythm?

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You have no risk for arrhythmia.

Detailed Answer:

Hi!

A high rate sinus rhythm is not a risk factor for arrhythmia on its own.

So, don't worry about that.

Greetings! Dr. Iliri

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj