Palpitations - I’m scared I’m going to die

[scaredimgoingtodie]

I’m so bloody scared . This isn’t my first post, I’ve no interest in being a troll - bigger worries .

I’ve been having palpitation (ectopics beats) for years and years and been told it’s just stress . Have been screened at genetic conditions clinic as they were concerned due to family history , told I was fine (had a treadmill, echo and holter monitor).

Told they are stress related, I have OCD and psychologist said I’ve managed to fixate my ocd onto my heart .

I was lying in bed tonight, watching TV and suddenly had a run of several palpitations, went on about 30-45 seconds (although I don’t think continually missing a beat for that whole time) . Like a rapid fluttering feeling . Didn’t black out .

Within about a minute of them stopping I coughed and eventually ended up vomiting .

Half of me thinks this is just acid reflux . The other half of me is somewhat convinced I’m going to die .

I’ve phoned NHS24 who are v unconcerned but said they’ll get a GP to ring to try help me calm down . I’m sat wide awake now and scared to sleep . Just looking for any reassurance at all

Aren't you on any medication for all this? I have a very rapid, irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) but on a med called bisoprolol, which slows the heartbeat down and hopefully restores regularity to the rhythm.

I’m not, no. I’m on an anti depressant and regular painkillers but nothing else . Did get offered propranolol a while ago but I was too scared , my mother took that for anxiety years ago and ended up in heart block , I’m wary of the same thing happening to me

You have my sympathy, I have them too when I'm anxious; have also been tested for everything and it really is stress related but at the time, doesn't feel like it.

I do steady breathing exercises which calms. It does go and then I'm fine but, like you, I think I'm going to die.

Sometimes watching something fairly soothing and/or distracting on TV helps.

Son has them too from time to time especially if he has been working all hours to a deadline, is exhausted but can't unwind to sleep. He's learned how to manage them (also been tested).

Bisoprolol is a beta blocker often given for hypertension and other heart related problems. You wouldn't be prescribed that if your palpitations are stress related.

Totally relate. I have them too. Utterly terrifying. If you have OCD you have to try some way to work through the fixation - because if you've had all the tests and you're fine, then you're fine.

Have you tried

www.nhs.uk/apps-library/silvercloud/

I had these today too, not for the first time.
it’s like the butterflies you get in your tummy have moved to your heart.
I feel very well otherwise.
My sister gets them too.

I think they are pretty common OP
Try not to worry

Hello OP 💐

I hope you are ok. I’m awake still because I get nighttime palpitations for one of two reasons.

I have acid reflux (GERD) and the more active it is the more likely my palpitations are.
I also get them much more when I’m stressed, it’s all tied up together.

Things I have found helpful are;

• taking a regular dose of omaprazole and not being afraid to take extra before bed if I’m feeling acidy.
• creating a wedge of pillows to lift my chest and head up a bit (not too far as hilariously you can end up putting more pressure on your stomach if actually sat up!)
• getting up and sleeping somewhere else. Some nights I wake with palpitations repeatedly or even sleep paralysis, when it gets repetitive I find a change of scenery even to the sofa weirdly helps.
• wake yourself up completely and start again with good “sleep hygiene”

Hope you get some sleep tonight x you are going to be ok ❤️

Hi OP, you mention acid reflux and IME this can definitely contribue to palpitations and in my case led to what were effectively panic attacks. I used to feel that my throat was closing up too which was really unpleasant.

When I got my diet sorted plus medication for the acid reflux there was a huge improvement.

Have you been investigated to rule this out? In my case they found I had a large hiatus hernia and it had been a problem for a long time but took ages to get an accurate diagnosis.