Heart palpitations

Cocoalover · 2023-10-16T21:28:58+00:00

I'm worried out of my mind right now, and fearing I am going to die any moment, I'm overcome with fear and want to cry. I have a history of heart palpitations and anxiety, had 2 ecgs 2 years ago, and they were fine. Got my anxiety under control, and palpitations stopped. They've come back and seem more worrisome and are scaring me. They are heavier, faster, and more irregular. Does anyone have experience of palpitations like this due to anxiety? I have been anxious this week, but I can't tell what came first, the anxiety or the palpitations.

kwetu · 16/10/2023 22:35

I get palpitations a lot more as I'm getting old(er) and it has a lot to do with my hormones and caffeine intake. But if you're worried enough that it's triggering more anxiety you should consult your doctor to put your mind at rest if nothing else.

Original poster

Cocoalover · 16/10/2023 22:52

kwetu · 16/10/2023 22:35

I get palpitations a lot more as I'm getting old(er) and it has a lot to do with my hormones and caffeine intake. But if you're worried enough that it's triggering more anxiety you should consult your doctor to put your mind at rest if nothing else.

I will call the gp tomorrow. This palpitation terrified me because if it didn't stop, then I would have died, I'm sure

OP posts:

poolviewthanks · 17/10/2023 03:14

There are some great milers to help with anxiety induced palpitations so please don't battle this - see your GP

Troy222 · 17/10/2023 07:46

Just make sure it’s a gp and not a physician associate!

lost78300 · 17/10/2023 07:47

I've had them for years and now more than ever. Been for ecgs and they are normal.

They are worse some weeks more than others. Sometimes they wake me in the night. I'm sure they are now made worse by hormones.

Equimum · 17/10/2023 07:54

please go to your GP about this. There are medications to help and they will be able to check that they are just regular palpitations. Please rest assured, palpitations won't kills you. I have a heart arrhythmia, and it's terrifying, but the consultant cardiologist always assured me that the erratic heart beats aren't dangerous.

DRS1970 · 17/10/2023 07:59

When I had severe anxiety and depression I would have panic attacks, and during these I would often experience strong palpitations. This worried me also as I happen to have first degree heart block (which is not dangerous and was symptom free). I chose to mention the palpitations to my doctor, they ordered an ECG and some blood tests, and all was good with my heart. So I understand why you are scared and worried, but would urge you to get it checked, if only to give you peace of mind. GL

elliesmummy19 · 17/10/2023 08:06

I started getting terrible heart palpitations a couple of years ago. There was one day where they were happening constantly and was really scary. I had ECGs, 48 hour ECG etc and they couldn’t see anything wrong.

Then I was diagnosed with IBD. When my symptoms of that were a bit more under control the heart palpitations stopped (or massively reduced anyway). They start coming back when my symptoms flare up again. So in my case it seems like my heart gets a bit fluttery, starts to struggle when I’m unwell with other things, maybe lacking in some vitamins and nutrients.

Do get it checked out! There are so many reasons why people get heart palpitations, often benign and harmless but it’s always worth following up on anything to do with the heart.

Original poster

Cocoalover · 17/10/2023 09:14

How good are ecgs at detecting heart problems? Is it possible to have a clear ecg and have a heart issue?

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Flyingfup · 17/10/2023 09:25

An MRI is the only thing that will definitely show issues such as scarring from heart inflammation. Do you know when the palpitations started/was there a trigger? For example, I got myocarditis after a Covid vaccine and palpitations started then. I met others who got similar after Covid and one who got it after a virus. There are also more benign triggers.

FannyBawz · 17/10/2023 09:27

Have you got Covid op? I have Covid at the moment and palpitations which is making me very stressed.

Original poster

Cocoalover · 17/10/2023 12:41

Flyingfup · 17/10/2023 09:25

An MRI is the only thing that will definitely show issues such as scarring from heart inflammation. Do you know when the palpitations started/was there a trigger? For example, I got myocarditis after a Covid vaccine and palpitations started then. I met others who got similar after Covid and one who got it after a virus. There are also more benign triggers.

My anxiety has been under control for a while now, I've been getting the odd palpitation on and off for months, though those ones felt like a skipped heartbeat, where it kind of took my breath away. Over the last week, they've been daily, but they are different. They are multiple beats and heavier, but last night was scary because it was heavier and faster and lasted longer than usual. I would love to be able to put it down to anxiety, but my brother died of heart failure at a very young age, and so that is always in my mind. When I see my doctor I will ask for a more thorough assessment of my heart

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Original poster

Cocoalover · 17/10/2023 12:44

FannyBawz · 17/10/2023 09:27

Have you got Covid op? I have Covid at the moment and palpitations which is making me very stressed.

I don't think I have covid, although I've been feeling under the weather for a week, short of breath (that's gone now), and kind of lethargic. I also have a Coldsore, and I only ever get them when I'm unwell.

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Moomoomo · 17/10/2023 13:06

I got them really badly after I had dd3. It wasn't just a skipped beat, it was prolonged episodes that made me feel panicked and light headed. I tend to suffer with health anxiety and it was particularly bad after dd3 but obviously the palpitations made the anxiety 100 times worse. I was stuck in a vicious cycle. I had many tests done including wearing a heart monitor for 24 hours. Everything came back clear.

I'm sorry to hear about your brother and that obviously adds another layer to your stress. It's definitely wise to get checked out, even if just to give yourself peace of mind. I found it so much easier when I had been thoroughly checked and could calm myself while the palpitations were happening. They eventually subsided after a few months and now I only get them very rarely.

Flyingfup · 17/10/2023 14:55

Cocoalover · 17/10/2023 12:41

My anxiety has been under control for a while now, I've been getting the odd palpitation on and off for months, though those ones felt like a skipped heartbeat, where it kind of took my breath away. Over the last week, they've been daily, but they are different. They are multiple beats and heavier, but last night was scary because it was heavier and faster and lasted longer than usual. I would love to be able to put it down to anxiety, but my brother died of heart failure at a very young age, and so that is always in my mind. When I see my doctor I will ask for a more thorough assessment of my heart

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So sorry, my condolences @Cocoalover Please do push for a thorough check, hopefully just to rule out anything that needs treating. Cardiac care for women is so behind, there is a lot of dismissal of symptoms. You will have to push to be seen by a cardiologist and for further tests.

zazasabore · 17/10/2023 16:09

I really recommend getting a Kardia machine (AliveCor KardiaMobile ECG Monitor)- very slim, half the size of a credit card so you can take anywhere (in conjunction with smart phone so the ecg graph comes up on that. I use it to detect atrial fibrillation. Its of a quality that is OK to show your cardiologist! About £99 but worth it for peace of mind. It takes 30 seconds for an ecg reading and useful when heart is feeling 'fluttery'.