Worried about heart rythym issues..

[scaredandtired]

This might seem silly but I've been battling this fear now for almost two years. I'm very scared of sudden death syndrome to the point I worry every day and struggle to leave the house.

I suffer skipped heartbeats and runs of a fast heartbeat. I've had ECGs during the fast heartrate which were normal. I've never had during the skipped beats, but have had some during operations, once during an op where I was given ephedrine (sp?) which I was told affects your heart if something's wrong with it, they would have noticed something wrong?

I've told my doctor (and a few others). My doctor's done two ECGs, a chest x ray and lots of blood tests, all normal.

I've never fainted but yesterday suffered a funny episode with the GP, don't know what happened - I got very confused and tired, then heartbeat went funny, then breathing faster, shaky, tingly hands and feet and jelly legs. Went back to normal after a cup of tea, but did feel a couple of the heart skips as well. GP seemed unconcerned, said to put it down to periods and panic and dehydration.

I've had chest pain before - GP has always said it's gastric or muscular.

I can't get over the fact that something might be horribly wrong. GP has told me to keep a two week diary and give it to her when I see her in two weeks.

But after yesterday, I've become too scared to do anything. I googled - yes, wrong - and found out that "pre syncope", what I think I experienced, is a red flag symptom that means I must see a cardiologist. GP took pulse and blood pressure and they were both normal at the time of everything, does this rule out a cardiac faint?

I realise you aren't (all) doctors and I'm probably asking in the wrong place but I am tears writing this, I have two classes on Thursday for university that I really do have to get to, I have to get the bus in before and after and I'm too frightened to do it. I'm being stupid probably but I'm so worried. I just keep thinking my GP must be missing something. I've phoned her today, and yesterday too, and I'm now considering going private and asking them for advice, I have asked advice through countless people online, I drive myself mad reading websites on conditions, people who have died of it, contacted charities and asked them for help, (British Heart did speak to me about a year ago and told me I was worrying needlessly, CRY contacted me once by email and said they'd get back to me and never did).

I'm scared to exercise too and I'm really quite overweight - I don't know how I can get my life back, because I don't socialise except on here, whilst still having this worry hanging over me. What do I do?

So to summarise your rather well composed post...

You are over anxious about heart conditions
You've had ectopic heartbeats - we all do and they are normal
You've had increased heart rate- common when anxious
You've had a battery of tests which are all normal
You had a fainting type feeling (?panic)
You google and obsess on internet sites and probably focus on the worrying bits... never being reassured.
You're overweight and don't exercise 'because of this worry hanging over you' ????

Have you consider CBT for your anxiety?

I have ectopic arrhythmias regularly, when they first started I panicked and started hyperventilating which involves breathing very quickly and your fingers and toes go tingly. I had a heart monitor on for 24 hours to check what was occurring. I did everything I knew that triggers the arrhythmias (bending down quickly, lying down) and it was confirmed as ectopic ( or innocent) heartbeats. They still happen from time to time but more often if I'm stressed or overtired. I'd rather I didn't have them but I don't worry about it.

Is there a reason you don't you trust your doctor's judgement?

I am currently being investigated for POTS which sounds so similar to what you describe. It's very common in young women (I think I've probably been like it for years). I am 46 now and it seems to have improved a lot. I used to be very fainty, worse after eating, very tired, anxious, have palpitations and skipped beats. Standing for a while would make matters worse. When I finally heard about pots from a friend I felt as if someone had turned on a light! My own gap has been very dismissive about it but has referred me to cardiology. Investigations are ongoing but I feel at least I am being listened to! It may be worth reading up about it. The pots website has an info sheet for gps explaining about pots too.

Have you had a 24 hour study done? Ask your GP about this when you see her next, but don't be disappointed if she says it is not necessary. It will probably be normal, and if it is, then perhaps you need to think about anxiety. You certainly need to carry on with your life, and to stop worrying about things that you cannot change. Go to your classes tomorrow, the longer you sit at home worrying, the worse things will get.

What ToothbrushThief said

What happened yesterday sounds like a panic attack. Pre syncope is a totally different condition to sudden death syndrome.

Please do stop googling.