New here and can't get over fear of palpitations

Like others, my first panic attack was due to palpatations.  The more worked up I got, the worse the palpitations.  My heart rate went over 200.  I thought I was dying.  I drove myself to the ER and they did a variety of tests.  All negative.  They told me to go home, take a hot bath and have a glass of wine as I was suffering from anxiety.  I was really angry with them at the time.  What kind of advice is that?!!  But after several heart tests from a cardiologist and a prescription to slow my heart rate, I'm doing better.  I still have unexplained bouts of palpatations.  In fact, I've had them for the last several weeks.  They are very unsettling and make me very anxious.  Some days I need to take a Xanax to calm down.  But eventually they will go away.  I also find that coughing when I'm having palpatations seems to settle down the heart rate.  I know anxiety makes it worse and I try to remain calm when experiencing palpatations, but it's easier said than done.  Try the suggestions others have given.  Deep breathing probably works the best for me.  But you'll need to find what works for you.  You'll be fine.  Just stay connected to this site as you will find support and encouragement second to none!

Scaredy Cat said...
Hi Bosmer and welcome!

I am sorry that you are dealing with these symptoms.:(

You mentioned working with your doctor which is a great first step...to rule out any physical issues and treat them.

What about anxiety managment? Was anything brought up about treatment options?

We have some great self-help calming techniques/stress relieving exercises in our Resources (main page, 1st post) that are really helpful at relieving physical anxiety symptoms such as palps.

Keep posting with us...and feel free to start a new thread of introduction for yourself at anytime.

Scaredy Cat

Thank you so much for all your support! I have been on anxiety medication for so long. But gradually, I've started taking a less and less dose because I don't feel anxious about other things anymore, such as junior high, which was ages ago. The only thing that stresses me out now is these palpitations. Getting so many and not knowing why.

Maybe this will help: I have has skipped beats or irregular beats for 19 years now. I get them almost everyday and sometimes multiple times a day. Is this what you mean?

I have had every test numerous times done and I have been reassured by multiple cardiologists it means nothing. Mine are not related to panic or anxiety and is simply something I have. I haven't found anything that takes them away or causes them. They come and go randomly. There are different types of irregular beats so for some it could be serious, but for some it is not. For me it is not significant of any disease or disorder in any way. I exercise very hard and get my heart beating very fast. I lift weights, do cardio, do extreme interval training like normal. Actually, exercise tends to keep them away. I have chosen to live my life as if I do not have them.

I could have spent 19 years stressing out about this and I would be just where I am now. The cardiologist said you can take beta blockers if you want, but best, is just learn to ignore them. I have learned that my heart just does this weird thing and it's ok. Lately it has only been happening a few times a day.

Get all the tests done and if you are reassured that it means nothing, then time to live your life and not worry about them.

Good luck!

I'm so happy I found this site, it is so accurate as how I'm feeling it's like I wrote the post myself, I have been having a heck of a time with heart palps, flutters , skipping beats all of it i feel like I'm crazy and it's all in my head but it's my body and I thought I knew when something was wrong. This all started about 4 months ago "I'm 38 years old " and I've never had heart problems before, but I have been under a huge amount of stress , the heart palps don't happen all the time sometimes more than others and they scare the daylights out of me sometimes make me feel like I'm gonna fall over dead...same thing been to the dr, wore a heart monitor for a week and a half, checked put fine also had an EKG checked out fine and had blood work all normal, they had me stop drinking. Caffeine and it seemed the irregular heart beats stopped for a while then came back, still I don't drink Caffeine, they want me to take buspar for anxiety but I'm worried cause I don't take any prescriptions!!! But it's still happening I've tried deep breathing and I'm worried if I go back in one more time for the same crap after they tell me I look healthy, they will think I'm nuts so any advice help me I'm scared!

Many with anxiety and panic have mitral valve prolapse and don't even know it. My heart use to skip all the time which freaked me out. I finally got with a heart specialist that put monitor on me for one month which he was able to see what I was talking about he then did an echo on me which then found mitral valve prolapse which I have taken a very mild pill now and never notice them but even if I did not get med was told it was of no danger . Hope this helps you and maybe you can have your doc check this on you