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Suggest Medication For Hypertension And Anxiety Disorder
Question: Male 37 yo. Hypertension and Anxiety Disorder.
I have this problem where I feel like my heart is racing, but it isn't. I feel really jittery and nervous. My pulse is not running high, and i have no other symptoms. It has happened sometimes when I wake up, or if I am just sitting on the couch. I am on Metoprolol and Lisinipril for hypertension, no other symptoms. Is this heart related?
I have this problem where I feel like my heart is racing, but it isn't. I feel really jittery and nervous. My pulse is not running high, and i have no other symptoms. It has happened sometimes when I wake up, or if I am just sitting on the couch. I am on Metoprolol and Lisinipril for hypertension, no other symptoms. Is this heart related?
Brief Answer:
anti-anxiety medicine
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Health Care Magic. Thank you for your question and I understand your concern.
I can understand what you are going through. However, according to your age of 37 years old, there is a very little possibility that these are heart problems. What you experience is called a palpitation and it happen every time heart produces a premature beat. Why is a premature beat produced? In cases of excessive physical activity or psychological stress, excessive caffeine-containing beverages, another part of the heart muscle produces a premature beat, which is quickly controlled by a succeeding normal beat. But this normal beat, after the premature beat, is more forceful and pounding, which is perceived like a "heart jumping out of the chest" feeling, possibly accompanied with shortness of breath and fear. Now, fear is a type of anxiety (it is called situational anxiety "in doctors' world"). All types of anxieties have one thing in common: a flush of adrenalin and noradrenalin in the system, which, among other things, causes increase in heart rate, blood pressure, nervousness, shakiness, and more fear to one's questions "Is something terrible happening to me?".
My opinion is that metoprolol and lisinopril are sufficient and a very effective combination in fighting your high blood pressure figures. But, furthermore, I would recommend you to consult your clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist, about the possibility of a short to medium length course with a combination of benzodiazepines (anxiety relievers) and an anti-psychotic drug on low dosage (for stabilizing the mood and preventing further panic attacks). Also, I would recommend you that, until proper medication by the psychiatrist is started, you should avoid the known triggers of your panic attacks, such as fear of narrow passages, small rooms, crowded areas, public speeches, etc.
I hope I was helpful with my answer. I am here to help, if you have follow-up questions. Please rate the answer, if you do not. I wish you all the best.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
anti-anxiety medicine
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Health Care Magic. Thank you for your question and I understand your concern.
I can understand what you are going through. However, according to your age of 37 years old, there is a very little possibility that these are heart problems. What you experience is called a palpitation and it happen every time heart produces a premature beat. Why is a premature beat produced? In cases of excessive physical activity or psychological stress, excessive caffeine-containing beverages, another part of the heart muscle produces a premature beat, which is quickly controlled by a succeeding normal beat. But this normal beat, after the premature beat, is more forceful and pounding, which is perceived like a "heart jumping out of the chest" feeling, possibly accompanied with shortness of breath and fear. Now, fear is a type of anxiety (it is called situational anxiety "in doctors' world"). All types of anxieties have one thing in common: a flush of adrenalin and noradrenalin in the system, which, among other things, causes increase in heart rate, blood pressure, nervousness, shakiness, and more fear to one's questions "Is something terrible happening to me?".
My opinion is that metoprolol and lisinopril are sufficient and a very effective combination in fighting your high blood pressure figures. But, furthermore, I would recommend you to consult your clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist, about the possibility of a short to medium length course with a combination of benzodiazepines (anxiety relievers) and an anti-psychotic drug on low dosage (for stabilizing the mood and preventing further panic attacks). Also, I would recommend you that, until proper medication by the psychiatrist is started, you should avoid the known triggers of your panic attacks, such as fear of narrow passages, small rooms, crowded areas, public speeches, etc.
I hope I was helpful with my answer. I am here to help, if you have follow-up questions. Please rate the answer, if you do not. I wish you all the best.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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