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Suggest Treatment For Anxiety And Irregular Heart Rhythm

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Posted on Mon, 22 Jun 2015
Question: I had all my tests done a few months ago. All tests showed a structurally normal heart. I passed my stress test and 48 hour holter showed sinus rhythm with 400 pacs and 15 pvcs. My cardiologists both insist that they are due to anxiety. This morning I was sitting on the couch and I could feel an irregular heart beat. It was very strange because I didn't feel anything weird I could feel my body tensing up like it was anxiety and then I checked my heart rate with my fingers and it was very strange. I could feel fast beats followed by some slower beats approximately 5 or 6 then faster again. It felt like my heart was struggling to beat for those slower beats. I did not have any feeling like an etopic beat. The slower beats are really scaring me. I ate pretty late last night before bed and I could feel I did not digest properly. What could this be? I'm so scared my heart will stop
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I wish you will find the willingness to follow medical advises.

Detailed Answer:

Hello XXXX!

Thank you for asking on HCM!

First of all, I would like to confirm you that your heart is not going to stop. Just relax! It looks that anxiety is going to have a great impact on your way of thinking, and even on how you are feeling recently.

I have reviewed your clinical scenario several times, and each time that I have looked for some specific details to define the reasons of that strange feeling of palpitations, fast and slow heart beats, anxiety has been always there, present and alive, indifferently staying on a corner, idle, fooling around your daily hours and your thoughts.

Seems that anxiety has settled down comfortable on your mind, and doesn't even thing to get out of your hospitable thoughts.

I passed carefully through your complains, and I am glad to confirm you that nothing abnormal could be revealed by an expert judgement, regarding pathological cardiac issues.

So, as the anxiety is the only responsible for what you have written about, I would suggest an effective way to get completely rid of that unpleasant guest.

Just leave your health issues thoughts out of your mind, of your attention, at least for a while. You have to teach some education lessons to your anxiety. He has to be more polite hereinafter, and should knock on your mind's window asking permission for probably a fast and a natural visit. but never more that that.

You have to repeatedly remember that you are the only eligible owner of your mind, no one else.

To achieve these targets, you need to be more active, more combative. You have to engage yourself on healthy physical activity, in order to make your body "run" and even your old thoughts flow away and be substituted by new and pleasant ones.

You need some yoga, aerobics, and recreation activities, instead of passing the active years of your life thinking on fast, slow and again fast beats.

I wish you will find the willingness to follow these medical advises.

Hope to have been helpful to you.

Greetings! Dr. Iliri


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (11 minutes later)
Doctor thank you very much for answering my questions. It seemed this time like the arythmia caused anxiety. Do you think it I ls afib or something worse or just etopic beats? How would I know? Are there characteristics of a worse arythmia that I would be able to tell if there was danger? Also you said as long as all tests were normal than there is no risk for heart failure. Is it possible after all these tests my cardiologist both missed something ? I have been exercising all week and feeling good as I am away for my trip right now. This all started this morning. I did eat right before bed and my stomach felt uneasy.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No evidence of arrhythmia seems to be present.

Detailed Answer:

Hello again dear XXXX!

Facing all you have prescribed, it doesn't seem to be any arrhythmia presence (like afib, or ectopic beats). You don't have any worsening arrhythmias, It is just palpitations appearance. You need to relax!

I don't believe your cardiologist has missed any additional tests. You just need to perform a new check up by your cardiologist after a period of time.

Be careful with your meals! Try to have them on the right time!

Wish you a good health! Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (27 hours later)
Hi doctor thank you for your explanation. I have another question before I close the discussion. Are these palpitations and etopic beats damaging my heart? Also someone told me that anxiety over time can damage the heart. Is this true? I am trying really hard to deal with the anxiety but when I hear news like that it worries me because sometimes anxiety just comes and it's not something you can just make go away. I have been better with the cbt but I still do get some palpitations
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No any dangerous implications, just keep your anxiety under control!

Detailed Answer:

Hello XXXX!

I would like to explain that palpitations, when they don't reflect a serious cardiac arrhythmia, are not associated with any heart damages. The same is true for your very rare ectopic beats. So nothing to worry about! Just relax!

Regarding anxiety, I could tell you that it may exacerbate recurrent palpitations, sometimes ectopic beats, sometimes bouts of high blood pressure, etc.

But, as you are having continuous efforts to face your anxiety, I would assure you that it couldn't damage your heart.

It may trigger some heart rate fastening, or high blood pressure time after time, but can't interfere with your normal cardiac structure.

Best regards! Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (2 days later)
Doctor thank you for your helpful reply. I have been exercising and climbing stairs several times per day to show myself that it was just anxiety causing the palpitations. I have felt better. Along with eating healthy and deep breathing. I do still notice that I get some etopic beats at night and when I wake up in the morning. Also I notice some days even when standing that my heart rate is at 60 bpm and sometimes goes lower for a few beats. Is this ok?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You are in perfect cardiac conditions.

Detailed Answer:

Hello dear XXXX!

Your good coping with climbing stairs and exercising is another fact that your ectopic heart beats and general unpleasant feeling have nothing to do with your heart. Your slow heart rate around 60 bpm is a normal variation, and you shouldn't worry at all!

I confirm that your cardiac, and overall status looks fine. I would also like to congratulate for the way you are facing with your health concerns and your anxiety.

Best regards! Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9536 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Anxiety And Irregular Heart Rhythm

Brief Answer: I wish you will find the willingness to follow medical advises. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXX! Thank you for asking on HCM! First of all, I would like to confirm you that your heart is not going to stop. Just relax! It looks that anxiety is going to have a great impact on your way of thinking, and even on how you are feeling recently. I have reviewed your clinical scenario several times, and each time that I have looked for some specific details to define the reasons of that strange feeling of palpitations, fast and slow heart beats, anxiety has been always there, present and alive, indifferently staying on a corner, idle, fooling around your daily hours and your thoughts. Seems that anxiety has settled down comfortable on your mind, and doesn't even thing to get out of your hospitable thoughts. I passed carefully through your complains, and I am glad to confirm you that nothing abnormal could be revealed by an expert judgement, regarding pathological cardiac issues. So, as the anxiety is the only responsible for what you have written about, I would suggest an effective way to get completely rid of that unpleasant guest. Just leave your health issues thoughts out of your mind, of your attention, at least for a while. You have to teach some education lessons to your anxiety. He has to be more polite hereinafter, and should knock on your mind's window asking permission for probably a fast and a natural visit. but never more that that. You have to repeatedly remember that you are the only eligible owner of your mind, no one else. To achieve these targets, you need to be more active, more combative. You have to engage yourself on healthy physical activity, in order to make your body "run" and even your old thoughts flow away and be substituted by new and pleasant ones. You need some yoga, aerobics, and recreation activities, instead of passing the active years of your life thinking on fast, slow and again fast beats. I wish you will find the willingness to follow these medical advises. Hope to have been helpful to you. Greetings! Dr. Iliri