Anxiety or heart problem - please help

[mommaofx2]

Hi, I should first mention I do suffer with anxiety at times but have also had palpitations on and off for many years - they've been investigated by a cardiologist on more than one occasion and he seems to think they're innocent.

I have just had a very strange frightening episode. I was asleep and was woken feeling slightly strange. I had only been awake seconds and I suddenly felt my heartbeat shoot up suddenly and start pounding in my chest. It felt like it built up to a peak and then started to subside and come down - it maybe lasted about a minute until it felt normal speed.

I have had this in the past and put it down to maybe anxiety, but I am beginning to think it’s not as I was perfectly fine when I went to sleep.

I know ‘Dr Google’ is not a very helpful things to do, but would atrial fibrillation have been picked up by now on my various tests over the years? I feel too scared to sleep now or be on my own. Surely if it was some kind of panic attack I'd have it in the day and I've not been all that anxious today.

Thank you x

Hello, I could have written your post exactly. I suffer from anxiety and heart palpitations. I've been to the GP, been given a 48 hour heart monitor to wear, been for a cardiac MRI and no significant cardiac abnormality was found. When I'm worried or tired or stressed I notice my heart doing funny flip flops (as I call it) and sometimes it feels as if it's stopped, then suddenly thudding back into rhythm. Very scary I agree. See your GP to reassure you. I understand totally. Try to breathe deeply and get some rest, hugs

Ps. I always find my anxiety is always worse at night

Sounds like an adrenaline rush brought on by anxiety - I get them.

I suffer from severe anxiety and I've woken up on more than one occasion with a racing heart. I also suffer from palpitations too. Please don't Google your symptoms and get sucked down that awful rabbit hole. Have you spoken to anyone about your anxiety?

Sounds like a classic cortisol hormone rush (which is the cause of anxiety) to me. I know the feeling very well.

Thanks all for your replies, I really appreciate it. I struggled to get back to sleep and have had about 3 hours - every time I was nodding off I would sort of jump myself awake and was very aware of my heart beat. I think I'll be living in fear of this happening again now as it was so scary and sudden with no warning. I have no idea if it was a panic attack or something else x

Low iron levels can give you heart palpitations.

I have a mixture of anxiety and anaemia which give me the same symptoms- often worse in bed at night - I've had my heart checked and know what it is but it still unnerves me every time - it is frightening.

Yes AF will have been picked up - there was some concern I had it as I have a very fast heart rate etc but nothing.

I would bet on it being anxiety but it might be worth getting your iron checked as when low they do make your heart race.

Hi all, thanks so much for your helpful replies. Random question does anyone ever suffer with heavy aching arms (especially the tops) with anxiety? Thank you x