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What Causes Heart Palpitations While Experiencing Severe Anxiety?

Posted on Tue, 21 Feb 2017

Question: Hi there i am 27 year old female. I suffer with awful palpitations and i have done for over a year. I have wore holter monitors and was told i had ectopics. Recently my skip beats have changed in intensity. For example i get them all day sometimes. Sometimes they feel like a beat then fast beat. Also i feel thuds. I had an ambulance come out to me and they did an ecg and it was boardaline. I do have pictures of the ecg report. When i went to the hospital i had another ecg which again was boardaline. I am very anxious. When i get these skips or double beats i feel pressure above my left breast and it feels tender on my left side to touch.
I have also noticed that my skips calm down if i exercise.

Answered by Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please see detailed answer

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
This is Dr Sameer, cardiologist.
I understand your concerns & will try to help you.
Ectopics can be a normal finding in a normal heart. But frequent ectopics (>8/min), should be evaluated & if these ectopics are causing problems like palpitations, skipped beat, they should be treated.
Your holter also is fine except VPC's. I'll still advice for some more tests, 2D Echo & a TMT to see for change in these ectopics with exercise.
Anxiety also causes palpitations, so I'll recommend you for some antianxiety medication also.
If the palpitations & missed beat still bother, we generally prescribe Tab Betaloc 25mg once daily to our patients. But you need to monitor your bp with this.
Relax & you will be fine.
Thanks
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (18 minutes later)

these are the ecg tests i had.

Answered by Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Explained the ECG in other question

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I explained the ECG in other question you asked.
They were only ectopic beats & not very significant. Still get a 2D Echo & a TMT(Tread Mill test) done because these ectopics are best interpreted on exercise.
You need not ask separate question & you have 2 free follow up question with every question.
So you can save your money & ask follow up question.
I'll try to help you in all possible ways.
Thanks
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (7 minutes later)

i had an echo done 15 months ago which was normal. my palpitations do stop if i exercise. i am an anxious person and these terrify me. do you think anxiety is the leading factor in this. this is the last question i will ask.

Answered by Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Take a anti anxiety medication

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
You could ask any number of questions you want to ask.
Coming to your question. Anxiety do cause palpitations & tachycardia. If echo is normal than these ectopic beats are benign & you need not to worry about it.
You can also take some anti anxiety medication if the anxiety is too much to trouble you & you will be absolutely fine.
Be happy, be cheerful & relaxed. Stop taking any stress & you will see all these palpitations & ectopics will go.
Thanks
Take care.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana