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What Causes Nausea, Indigestion And Fast Heart Beat?

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Posted on Fri, 3 Jul 2015
Question: I need some reassurance regarding panic attack and heart attack symptoms. Last night I was woken with feeling overheated, with nausea, indigestion, and a racing heart - I have occasionally had similar episodes but my heart was beating faster than I have ever known it to before. I was not breathless or light-headed though. In 2005 when I had feelings of dread, light headedness, overwhelming tiredness (intermittently), nausea and IBS symptoms, and a couple of episodes of vice-like chest pain that eventually passed without hospitalisation or treatment, I have wondered if what was diagnosed as depression started as heart disease. Yet mostly I lead an active full life and have no pain or breathlessness. Does that mean I am basically fine but prone to severe anxiety?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
It could be anxiety but cardiological evaluation is needed

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

the symptoms you've mentioned could be related to the heart. The fact that the symptoms awoke you raises some concerns. Although your history may be suggestive of a panic attack, you shouldn't rely on it forever. A visit to the cardiologist will help to confirm or exclude heart disease.

Your previous history of course means that you're prone to severe anxiety and if the attacks are frequent and interfering with your everyday life then treatment options should be considered.

I hope I've helped!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (14 minutes later)
In 2005 I think my GP support could have been better. After lying in bed with these awful iron hard pains running up my jaw, terrified, once the pain subsided I went to my GP. He took my pulse, which seemed fine and moreorless said that I should have called 999 if I was that concerned but what did I expect him to do about it now?!

A couple of issues of relevance - I have been on Fluoxetine for large parts of the last 10 years, with occasional breaks when I have tried unsuccessfully to come off (the draining anxiety, circular thoughts, paranoia and gloom have returned). I am now off Fluoxetine, as of February, so all traces should have gone from the system, and my anxiety levels haven't been too bad.

Yesterday, having been using a Mirena coil for contraception for the last 5 years, now run out of efficacy, I took the first pill of a pack of Qlaira contraceptive pill.

Is it possible either of these drugs is related to the panic attack?

I will take your advice and see the dr next week to get the old ticker checked. Should I say I have consulted Healthcaremagic and am taking your advice?

Thanks!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
not related to the drugs

Detailed Answer:
So, if I'm missing something, you haven't checked your symptoms with a cardiologist and perhaps not even an electrocardiogram?
Although heart disease is not very common for women at your age, your symptoms should have been checked for organic disease before attributing them to psychiatric disease.

If you don't have symptoms then taking fluoxetine is not recommended. Also, I don't believe there is any link between contraception and your symptoms.

So, in conclusion, I believe that you need to visit a cardiologist to check for organic heart disease. If the cardiologist can exclude heart related causes then the panic attacks issue will have to be addressed.

Of course you can tell your doctor about healthcaremagic, if you'd like but it won't make any difference to him. Most doctors usually decide for themselves (and this is the right thing to do!).

Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3809 Questions

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What Causes Nausea, Indigestion And Fast Heart Beat?

Brief Answer: It could be anxiety but cardiological evaluation is needed Detailed Answer: Hello, the symptoms you've mentioned could be related to the heart. The fact that the symptoms awoke you raises some concerns. Although your history may be suggestive of a panic attack, you shouldn't rely on it forever. A visit to the cardiologist will help to confirm or exclude heart disease. Your previous history of course means that you're prone to severe anxiety and if the attacks are frequent and interfering with your everyday life then treatment options should be considered. I hope I've helped! You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information. Kind Regards!