Health anxiety worried heart palpitations are atrial fibrillation pls slap sense into me or hold my hand

[Goawayintrusivethoughts]

Not had an attack of health anxiety for a long time but it's got me by the throat tonight.

I have regular spells of fainting. Docs all agree it's probably just low blood pressure. Sometimes I get random palpitations also, I've worn a tape thing to measure my heartbeat and all seemed fine.

Had a quite nasty fainting thing this morning, and this afternoon had crazy palpitations. I know it's PROBABLY just being tired and from coffee, but...part of me is just fixating on the what if?

What if my stupid heart palpitations aren't just anxiety, and them plus the passing out are massive alarm bells that something is very wrong with my heart? I feel upset because nobody really takes it seriously how scary it is and how shit I feel after a light headed spell.

Thing is of course anxiety makes all these kinds of symptoms worse! So no matter what it is being calm is best, not being scared by the what if.

Please can you alternatively kick my arse into reality or give me a bit of a hand hold because I'm feeling wobbly. The dread of fainting is strong but of course the fear makes it all worse!

Ask your doctor specifically about atrial fibrillation and put your mind at rest

What investigations have you had done? Tell your GP about the palpitations- they may refer you to have a 24 hour tape to record what your heart is doing.

It wouldn’t be right for anyone here to say what is or isn’t going on here as we don’t know your background or medical history. If you are worried you need to see your GP. The worst thing you can do is panic - there are a lot of causes of dizziness and palpitations and most of them are very manageable.

Although I can't help on the fainting situation. But heart palpitations are very common, especially when linked to anxiety. I'm going through a anxious spell and I've been getting palpitations for the last week or so, it's awful and makes me feel like I need to cough very odd but try to fixate on them, easier said than done I know. Everything feels worse when your anxious and fixating on the thing that's making you anxious. Vicious circle really. Sorry I couldnt be much more help

Ok ok try and calm down

I know exactly how you are feeling, I have had the same thing many times. The exhausting cycle of feelings that are all consuming. Try and focus on the fact that this has happened to you before and you are still here and well. Focus on the fact that you've had the tape and it didn't pick up anything sinister. I assume you have been told you are experiencing ectopic or missed beats. They DO NOT feel like nothing but lots of people have them.

You mentioned coffee and know this is a trigger, have a big drink of water. Caffeine is a polar molecule and drinking water will dilute it out of your system quicker. Fluids will also raise your blood pressure. Are you having enough iron? This can make them worse too.

For now just try some breathing exercises, you might feel like a twat but they do work. Then try and take your mind off it with a book or film.

And No, absolutely NO GOOGLING HEART CONDITIONS! Speaks from bitter experience 😱.

You should probably go back to your GP about your worries and have everything properly checked but next time you have palpitations go and do a proper big yoga OMMMMMMMMMMM. It's been shown to help stop and I can anecdotally say that it works for me. I suffer from anxiety a lot and also had horrible palpitations and it's helped me loads. I'll try and find you a video of how to om so it works if you aren't someone who does yoga. Although becoming someone who does yoga will probably help tonnes. (The proper thoughtful yoga as opposed to some health clubs yoga by numbers).

It’s also important to remember that if there was an underlying heart condition, this isn’t the worst thing in the world. Many, many people like a totally normal life with a heart condition, like myself, with minimal monitoring and medication. Not saying it is, but trying to make the point that your worst case scenario is not the end of the world.

Thank you all so much, you're all really helping me feel more normal

I'm a big fan of yoga. Also certain types of music. So i think when i go to bed I'll do some very gentle yoga and then stick on calming music.

Ok, all the videos and explanations on how to OMMMM go a bit spiritual and not medical, I'll try to explain...

Take a good deep breath in, open your mouth and do a big loud vibrating Ahhhhh that kind of segues into the ommmmmm sound, almost like a big giant hum. I think it works with your vagus nerve to calm the palpitations away but I can't find good links right now.

But definitely also go back to your GP and talk to them about it too because that's always the sensible option.

No doctor seems remotely worried by what happens. Although they do sometimes mention a tilt table test for POTS but it's not happened. Every few months I get fed up and make an appointment and try to explain how fed up I am and want something done, but I think the problem is I always see a different doctor at my gp.

Oh cross posts, you do yoga so can probably ommm away with the best of them. Enjoy your evening practice and I really hope it helps you, anxiety is just the worst. If you are open to medication beta blockers (once you are sure there isn't anything underlying) are life changing. As well as the yoga. Sleep well.

I have a heart condition (it stops..) and l also get palpitations. I spoke to my cardiologist about them and he wasn't bothered at all even when l said whilst l have them l can't breath for a second and then have to cough to make my chest feel normal again.

So l really wouldn't be concerned

I had beta blockers when it first started a few years ago! Subsequent gps have not been in favour of them though.

I do have paroxysmal AF and honestly, it feels very different to palpitations (which I also get). It's almost impossible to describe how an AF attack feels, but there's no mistaking it for anything else - honest!

I was found to have an over active thyroid when I had very similar symptoms to you. I also had a very fast heart rate. It was extremely worrying and took a long time to get to the bottom of.
Beta blockers have been invaluable in stopping my heart from racing and keeping me calm.

Thyroid problems run in my family and one of my relatives always raises an eyebrow slightly when I showed her my results. I think because hers was causing problems with her fertility and she said mine wouldn't be ok if I was trying to get pregnant? However, the docs assure my it's all fine but off the top of my head can't remember.

Can you post your full bloods here? Your thyroid may actually be a problem.

Also go back to a GP you've seen before if possible and ask to a referral to a cardiologist for a tilt table test or the like.

OP it might be worth - for peace of mind - to pay to go private for some investigations. Then you can draw a line under this

in my area one of the private hospitals do an echo cardiogram, blood tests, exercise testing and a consultation for around £500. I know it is dear but if this is going to keep coming up to worry you,theres no price on peace of mind x