Heart palpitations. Don’t these two words make you shudder with anxiety?
Well, maybe the words don’t, but the sensations caused by heart palpitations certainly do scare people.
In fact, it’s the main topic of emails that I get from people who contact me with questions.
And given that this anxiety symptom is so common among anxiety sufferers, I thought it would be helpful to do a “how to” article on palpitations.
First, a few basics. A heart palpitation is an abnormal beating of the heart AND your heightened awareness of your heart beat. Palpitations can cause your heart to beat fast (tachycardia), slow (bradycardia), flutter, or to even have ‘skipped’ heart beats (PVCs).
Heart palpitations can be caused by electrolyte imbalances, adrenaline, anemia, heart disease, arrhythmias, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and of course, anxiety disorders. There are more causes, but the ones listed are common.
Now, because heart disease could be involved, it’s always a good idea to see your doctor if you’re experiencing new or ongoing heart palpitations.
No need for fear, this is mainly a precaution to safeguard your health and your sanity. When you go to your doctor he/she will run an ECG and take some blood. If the results come back negative, then you can start your efforts to stop your heart palpitations without having to worry about having a heart attack.
How Palpitations Work
When related to anxiety, heart palpitations are triggered by the fight or flight response. If you’ve had problems with anxiety for any length of time then I highly recommend that you get acquainted with this term.
This is because the fight or flight response is the source of much of your misery, and a detailed understanding of it can help you to reduce stress. Because with knowledge comes less guess-work, more facts, and less anxiety.
So then, the fight of flight response is essentially your sympathetic nervous system gone wild. When you become scared, nervous, and worried, your brain will trigger a fear response, which, in turn, causes your body to undergo a few changes, like:
- Palpitations
- Cold/Hot flashes
- Dilated pupils
- Urge to urinate
- Diarrhea
- Tunnel vision
- Muscle tension
It’s also important to point out that palpitations are almost always accompanied by anxiety and panic.
Part of what also happens when the fight or flight response is triggered is that the brain signals the body to release stress hormones, like adrenaline and cortisol, in preparation for violent action. But, in your case, there is no action to be taken.
The adrenaline and cortisol however still get injected into your bloodstream, where it acts on the nerves of the heart and causes palpitations. So, in most cases, it’s adrenaline causing all the havoc but, there could also be other causes.
One such cause is electrolyte imbalance. Electrolytes are electrically charged ions. They include elements like: sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, sulfate, phosphate, bicarbonate, and magnesium.
These elements are important in maintaining proper voltage levels in the body, and are also critical to muscle function. The heart, as we all know, is a big muscle. If these electrolytes become imbalanced then palpitations can occur.
This is because electricity and contraction are what makes your heart beat and keep a rhythm. If there is a disruption in the electrical impulse, or the contraction of your heart muscle, then you get things like a fast, slow, or weak heart beats.
How to Stop Heart Palpitations
There are several ways to stop palpitations. If you’ve been cleared of heart disease by your doctor the following techniques can be effective.
1. Balancing electrolytes: When it comes to matters of the heart, the four most important electrolytes are potassium, calcium, sodium, and magnesium. If any of these electrolytes become too high or too low then palpitations may result.
A simple blood or urine test will tell your doctor if this is the case. If you have excessive/deficient levels of electrolytes then you can speak with your doctor about how to bring them back into balance.
In general, this would mean taking supplemental vitamins or increasing/decreasing the consumption of certain foods.
List of foods rich in the four major electrolytes include:
Potassium – See full list here.
- Bananas
- Apples
- Milk
- Orange Juice
- Potatoes
- Raisins
- Wheat bread
Calcium – See full list here.
- Dairy Products
- Almonds
- Beans
- Tofu
- humus
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Oatmeal
Sodium – See full list here.
- Meats
- Dairy products
- Frozen foods
- Snack foods
- Canned food
- Spices
Magnesium – See full list here.
- Nuts
- Cooked soybeans
- Peanut butter
- Yogurt
- Milk
2. Diet: Diet is an important part of any anti-palpitation strategy. Here are a few more examples.
Foods that you want to eat more often would include:
- Grapes
- Guava
- Honey
- Fresh fruit and Vegetables
- Whole wheat foods
Foods and activities that you should try to avoid include:
- Foods that contain caffeine like chocolate, soft drinks, etc.
- Sugar
- Alcohol
- Smoking
3. Hydration: Water is a fundamental part of what you are. If you don’t drink enough water then even mild dehydration can create palpitations. You don’t need to go overboard and start walking around with a gallon of water, either. Many of the foods you eat already have water in them, but it’s still a good idea to drink about 5-8 8 oz cups per day.
4. Medication: You may also want to talk to your doctor about medications. Doctors will usually prescribe beta blockers, which block the effects of adrenaline on the body. This would be a good option after experiencing palpitations for a prolonged period of time.
5. Valsalva Maneuver: This technique can be used to stop a fast heart beat. First, pinch your nose and close your mouth. Next, breath out forcibly. The idea is to strain as if you were trying to defecate while holding your breath. This will cause a quick spike in heart rate, followed by a slowing of the heart rate. If you have heart disease, or are advanced in age, please do not try this maneuver.
6. Coughing: Coughing vigorously causes pressure to build in your chest, which “squeezes” your heart back into a normal rhythm. This is not a preventative measure, so do it when you’re actually having a palpitation.
7. Cold Water: Splash cold water on your face. This technique works well for palpitations and panic attacks. The idea behind this is that the cold water shocks your nervous system back to normal. The water should be as cold as possible.
8. Relax: Palpitations can strike at anytime, even while you sleep. As a result, they tend to startle you and make you feel as if you’re going to die at any moment.
This is why it’s important to not rush around in a panic, thereby adding stress to your racing heart. It’s best to have a seat, breath deeply from your stomach, and chill out for a moment.
9. Exercise: Exercise might sound like the opposite of what you want to do when you know that palpitations can occur. But after a good workout your blood pressure and heart rate will generally decrease.
This is why it’s not unusual for highly conditioned athletes – like Lance Armstrong – to have very low resting heart rates. A normal resting heart rate is between 70-80 beats per minute. People that have conditioned bodies, on the other hand, can get their heart rates down in the 50’s or lower.
Let’s not forget that the heart is a muscle, and if it is worked, it will get stronger and more efficient and what it does. So despite the apparent contradiction, exercise is a great way to cope with palpitations absent any heart disease.
Caution: If your palpitations are accompanied by dizziness, blurred vision, chest pain or shortness of breath, then it could be something more serious. The unfortunate reality is that panic attacks and intense anxiety can mimic symptoms of a heart attack.
One of the tell-tale signs of something serious is severity and duration. If you have chest pain or the like continuously for more than a few minutes, and if the pain is severe, you likely have a problem. Always err on the side of caution though and get checked out if you’re just not sure.
If, on the other hand, you’ve already been screened for heart disease and nothing was found, wait. Be patient and wait about ten minutes and the symptoms will usually die down on their own.
I know that heart palpitations can be frightening, but they are usually not dangerous. That’s why I encourage you to see your doctor if you haven’t already. Because once you’re cleared medically, you will have the confidence needed to cope with the fear tied to palpitations.
Understand that heart palpitations are a very normal part of having an anxiety disorder and stress in general. When they happen don’t over think things and start jumping to conclusions. Instead, try some of the techniques outlined above and try the best you can to not shock yourself with fear. I hope this helps.
Hmm…JUDE, I guess I have a few questions now that you talk about the anxiety-related issue. How long did your first palps attack last when it was from anxiety? And would it get better some days more than others? What did you do to rid of them, or did they just disappear randomly on their own. Also, what did they feel like? For me they are like a skipping/fluttering sensation if that makes any sense.
The first week that I had them I felt so weak and unable to get out of bed. 2nd week –> now I’ve been to get around and move around some more and do regular things somewhat. But I still feel like so much of my energy is focused on them.
Yes, I will keep up with the magnesium/calcium pills even so. Have you found anything else helpful? I know you mentioned chamomile tea, which I do drink every night…
HI Floey. When it was from anxiety my palps lasted a few weeks cant remember exactly but i was in a bad way which didn’t help. I was having constant panic attacks with that feeling of impending doom,i literally thought I was dying and hit rock bottom. But you are in a much much much better place which is great. They went away on their own,i didn’t do anything although i was seeing a psychologist for the anxiety disorder.That was a life lesson learning about anxiety,I never knew it existed and certainly never understood what a panic attack was.
Definately better some days than others like today crappy but a few days ago great thought they were gone!!I just take it day by day.I am sick at the minute so that doesnt help either as they are always worse when i am sick.Yes they are exhausting and all focussing and consuming and distracting.So for me things I find helpful are distraction and exercise btu exercise a biigy for me.I feel so good after a run,body,mind and soul but as i have been sick i havent done it and that hasnt helped i am sure..Also sitting makes them worse so i keep moving if they are really bugging me.I have started just relaxing and letting them happen the last couple of days,trying to breathe thru them.I let you know how that goes.Today i had lunch out with a beautiful friend adnd over ate so I know that doesnt help at all.
My palps are like extra heart beat that comes in.So thud…thud.thud….thud…thud.thud.thud…..thud…thud…thud!!Does that help abit?i also get the flip flopping feeling sometimes,like a shudder a bit hard to explain.That is less frequent.My palps are PVC’S.
Floey hope this answers your questions.Off to see a comedy at the thetare with the kids tonight which will be fantacstic, cant wait but interesting how the palps go with two hours in a crowded theatre LOL!!
Hello Everyone!
Jude, so sorry to hear about your recent panic attack. I hope you are feeling better now! Most of my panic attacks were centered around my heart. I was always sure that this was it, that I was having a heart attack, but of course I never did. I do know how you feel, I have been there myself so many times myself! I also have the Linden method that Sammy mentioned, and it is very helpful! Oh by the way, according to Amazon my book is on it’s way to me, I can’t wait to get it!
Josh, I wonder if it is the gluten, yeast, or wheat or something else in the bread that triggered your palps.
Gary, I am sorry to hear about the rough time you had! Hope you are doing better! I use to get an off feeling after palps/skips.
Floey, I have heard that it can take anywhere from one to four weeks for the magnesium to really kick in and start doing it job. I guess it just depends on how deficient someone is to begin with, or maybe how well they absorbed vitamins and minerals, not really sure, just a guess.
Also welcome to all the new people here! You will find a lot of great info here!
I hope everyone has a palp/skip free night/day depending where you live!
Hugs 🙂
hi all, i want to share my expirience so far with this pvcs aniexety or whatever is it….. for first time after almost a year i started to do things almost like before 🙂 im doing weightlifting again and i have only a few pvcs for 3-4 days and they are very weak, im on coaxil and concor this 2 things helps me a lot when i started coaxil the fasst heart rate dissapers : ) i have hope now that i can recover 100 % from this s..t !!!
hello everyone,i have been having bad palps and i keep going to the doctor and i have been to the ER four times and they tell me nothing is wrong that it is anxiety related.It really does scare me though when i have them cause im only 25 years old i literally feel like something is wrong.I hate having the skip beats it really freaks me out!im going to try and see a cardiologist soon.i hope everyone get well soon!
Hi there Sylvia, thanks for your thoughts and the hugs.I haven’t had a chance to read the book yet but cant wait to!Do you now much about selenium?The magnesium complex i was using has 92 mcg but i keep reading the rdi by supps is 50mcg,So I have stopped taking it and am taking something different but my palps have definately increased again.
last night was fantastic,great live theatre. if laughter is the best medicine i should be well and truly healed!It was so funny and so wonderful to just laugh uncontrollably!
Unfortunately though I was woken about a half hour after falling asleep (Floey i haven’t had this happen before so shows they aren’t always consistent!!)With my heart thumping out of my chest.I tried getting back to sleep but they were so persistent,4 to 6 a minute and this episode lasted for over an hour. it was scary as it was 1 in the morning and i have never had it happen so full on before.I tried to get back to sleep and each time i dozed off they would start again and wake me up. The only thing i can think off is i did have a big glass water before lying down?Has anyone else had this happen?
I really thought they were getting better. I think I will go back to the old complex i was taking.Really don’t need this at all as i have been syking myself up for the long haul flight and the what ifs and if that happens on the plane i will freak!!I was doing so well with it. But i guess I should look on the positives. it was terrible but hey i still woke up this morning!!
Sorry guys i seem to be having a bad run at the minute.Thanks for your support. My beautiful partner isn’t back for another 2 weeks and i don’t want to worry him while he is so far away so I literally dont have anyone to talk to.So thanks for listening and heres to a better day. mmmm…..5 hrs sleep and a dental appt!Sounds great doesn’t it!
A happy palp free day to you all.
You guys also need to check your adrenal
Jude, I do think you will feel better when you are settled and you and your partner are back together…too much on the mind is bad for palps.
Take care 🙂
Hi all
Im fuffering a lots from my anxiety disorder for a about two years now i have all the symptoms you expect and you dont expect pain,fear of dying,……etc
Im seeing a psycologist all the tecnique not working with me im not taking any medication at all my palps its pvc or vpb its drive crazy my big worry us my heart everytime i felt it i get sooooo scared i done all the hell of test for the heart and blood all comes normal but i cant stop my fear coz of the pain and palps im going on the 26 of nov to see a cardioligist not beacause of somethung wrong just my doctor want me to beleive my heart is ok im alone and lonly dont have no one to talk to when i have the symptoms my kids young my husband working all day so im dealing with everything and my anxiety too
Hope all of you guys good
Hi Susan,
Hang in there! I’m sure there are a lot of us that are afraid of dying. our unbalanced minds/ chemical imbalance brains always repeat the questions. I suffer from palps for 6 years now an anxiety/ panic attacks going on 2 years now. I always end up in the ER every 4 months or so because I’m always feeling and thinking I’m going to have a heart attack. I too don’t take meds because I’m afraid! I can’t even take a Tylenol because I panic. I hate it! I have 4 young kids I have to care for and my husband always works…. So see we are alike. It’s hard Hun but we have to try to keep our heads up. There’s only one way after hitting rock bottom and that way is up. I’ve hit rock bottom many times but I continue to fight because I know my life is worth so much to everyone who cares about me. Trust me your not the only one. It’s good to vent here when in need. I am always reading everyone’s post. Hang in there and let’s all continue to fight and find the cure for these palps.
Susan what are your symptom if you don’t mind list some of them you are putting to much stress on yourself I know the symptom is horrible but you have to relaxe one more thing do you all check your adrenal pls get it check all those symptom can from adrenal burnout you go to the doctor all your test come back ok normal but yet they state it as anxiety they nerver check your adrenal pls ask your doctor or er to check your adrenal pill not ganna fix the problem
Does anyone know if seasonal allergies or anything can cause palps? Gah, still trying to find out the cause of mine.
My blood work came back fine so now I’m at a loss.
Floey, i am kind of convinced that it could be a seasonal allergy thing.
Thanks Corliss for your thoughts I really appreciate it. Yes I think once we have made the move all will be good an my anxiety should settle again.I just need to ride with it I think.Thanks again.Hope yours are having a great day and yours too is settling.x
Hi Susan I am really sorry you are going through what you are but believe me it does and will get better. You will recover from this. I know because i have before and had relief for several years and due to some sad and some wonderful stuff have relapsed but this time i am more informed and now it will get better again.It is nowhere near as scarey as last time.It is a good idea that you are seeing the cardiologist as it is true to start to heal you need to truly beleive you are not dying.It is so so scary I know,wish i knew how to make it better for you but share here. We all understand and are here for you.
Hi Iris, i appreciated your reply to Susan so much today as it was what i needed too. You are so right we can only head up from here!!It is also so reasuring to hear from people feeling the same as you, to know you are not alone.So thankyou.I am sorry you are going thru what you are though but thanks for the encouragement.
Hi Floey yes i did a bit of reading about this as i was full of hayfever when mine came back.There seemed to be quite a few on different forums who felt there was some correlation.How have they been today?
Josh have yours finished now?
Peace and happiness to everyone and a good nights sleep!!!!
Hi iris thank u so much you make me like im not alone and things can happen to anyone thanks for your reply hope we can continue talking thanks
Hi sammy thanks for your reply my symptoms is
Pain in my chest.and shoulders from pain i git scared palps wish is make me dying and im thinking coz of this i have heart problem its like flip flop or somrthing kicking my throat sometimes when i had it i got shocked and im a hyoercondria ;(
Hi jude thanks for your reply yoy make me feel better i always read your comment wich is realy helpfull thanks again hope everyone here get better
Susan all this symptom are false fear their not real and you not having a heart attack ok have fun with the kinds pls
Hi sammy yeh you right it is a false fear but sometimes stoping me to do things like taking the kids out or go to the gym i get anxious when think about ow im taking the kids out!! Or im going to the gym .the gym make moooore scared i thought im going to have it while im training GOD!!!!!
Mine seem to be mostly back to normal..Still having a bit more than a regular day of just a few palps, but they aren’t all day long. What a relief. I notice them mostly after i eat and when i lay down. They usually work themselves out to where they don’t do it after i eat and sleep, so that’s why i’m saying that they still haven’t went quite back to normal. But thanks for asking. I’ve been trying to get a hold of my friend that was in the ER the other nite, but i haven’t heard back from her yet.
Hi Susan, as you know it is really important that you keep doing things especialy if they scare you. This is because it reassures us, we do it and we don’t die so there is that positive reinforcement.If you are out and you feel a panic attack coming on remind yourself that is what it is, you arent dying it is a panic attack,it will pass. Take the kids to places where there are lots of other people around so you can have that reassurance. Gyms can be bad for people with anxiety so walk outside instead. Walking in the freah air is so good for body,mind and soul.I guess you are probably into winter there so i guess that is a bit trickier if you are taking the kids. Can you head out before hubby heads off to work and take 30minutes for yourself to go for a walk.That will make a difference. I know your psychologist has probably told you all that but it does work.It did for me.But please dont stop doing this,it will only make it worse.You need to be out there living and loving life and enjoying doing all the mum things.My kids were only little when I was diagnosed and so i really can understand what you are feeling.
Josh that is great news,phew.Well done you got through it!!!!!!!!!Hope you can get in touch with your friend and she is doing okay.
Had a much better night last night,did lots of mind work on my thinking.I have also upped my magnesium and back on the original powder that I took.I am much calmer since i have been taking the magnesium so I think it not only helps the palps but the anxiety too. Anyone else found that?
Hi JOSH — Why are you convinced that its allergies? You mean for me or you? Haha..
Update: my blood test results show elevated levels of AST/ALT and MCV/MCH.
Does anyone know if these can be related to palps in any way?
Hi Floey you really should get that answer form your dr as those results need to be taken into contaxt with your other blood results. Elevated mch/mcv could have heaps of causes including viutamin B12 deficiency etc etc …..the list is huge so you really need to talk to your dr and he can make an assessment based on all your results.The same with the elevated AST/ALT,lots of reasons.So get on that phone!
Hi jude yeh i know what you mean im going gym to loose weight i live in australia the weather is beautifull now but im not realy confident to walk out without no one with me
Floey-just from what i’ve read on forums and other message boards, i’ve seen the world allergies a lot when it comes to association w/palps. But then again, it seems everyone has different triggers. What may trigger some may not trigger others.
Right. How’re you doing today Josh?
Thank you JUDE — yes, I’m going to try to call them tomorrow. How is ur day so far?
Hi jude you very helpfull hun wish i can have your email
Thanks for your advices for everyone
🙂
Hi George and Bobb!! Bobb that is great news that you are almost back to a 100% that is afntastic news and thanks for sharing and giving that reassurance. I am sure is was the worst year of your life but hey you did it,you kicked anxiety in the butt and out of your life!
George I am so sorry you are going through this but be encouraged by all the posts that are on here.We all understand how scared you are right now but know that they will pass and you will recover from this.There is no way known they would send you home from ER if they thought they were dangerous. Seeing a cardiologist is a very good thing as you get the all the proper tests and then the reassurance you need.There are a couple of others around your age on here Josh and Floey so they can also relate age wise.But please keep in touch and let us know how you are getting on. We are all here to help each other thru this crap time.
Hi Floey yes much better today today thank you for asking and no palps waking me up overnight so that was a big bonus!Glad you are giving the dr a call. let us know how you are getting on.
Hi Susan,how has your day been today? It is shame about the email but it wouldn’t be wise of any of us for confidentiality reasons to post them on here.But hey we can still be here for each other thru this forum.I often check my emails so am able to reply quite quickly.
I have had a heaps better day,getting myself in the right head space and positive thinking.Thanks for listening the last few days,I dropped the ball!!
Hi everyone. Floey, today was a good day overall..The only palps i had were directly after the two meals i ate. How are you? Still having constant palps or have you noticed any ease of them?
I talked to my friend today that was in the ER a few nites ago..She was told a few years ago she has PVC, but i’m not sure she’s experienced them like a lot of us have on here. Anyways, she has pneumonia and the doctors told her that’s why her heart was acting crazy, so that gave her some relief.
I didn’t take my Hawthorn berry today because i’ve noticed that my heart rate has slowed down a bit. I haven’t actually checked my pulse rate, but i can tell it’s slowed down more, which kind of freaks me out. So, i think instead of taking it daily i may just try 3 days a week or so.
And i have read that Hawthorn can affect one’s heart rate, slowing and speeding it up, and i was told to monitor it by my doctor. Just to play it safe i will ease off of it for a few days.
Depending on your age hawthorn berry may slow down your heart rate
My palps were fine yesterday but tonight I’m having an episode. I’m so discouraged. I thought they were over. I’m literally in tears because I thought I was going to get some relief.
I have no idea what set them off tonight. I was going my usual routine and just making dinner when they started up again. I haven’t done much else different…
Ugh.
Hi floey I’m having the same problem now just hot water with lemon on it and just relax did you ask the doctor to check your adrenal
Hi Floey and Sammy.Floey I am so so sorry that they have brought you to tears,really big hugs your way. What you need to do is try and nip it in the bud before you get too worked up, as believe ,me it will only make them worse.Have the lemon drink or a cup of chamomile but most importantly do something that distracts you.Is there someone there you can talk to or invite a friend over or phone someone and talk about everything else BUT your palps.The other day i put some music on loud and danced,kids thought i was crazy of course but hey it helped calm me and distract me,they didnt need to now it was to help distarct me!.Remember most importantly you are not dying, they are not harmful just a pain in the butt.Easier said than done I know.let us know how you get on.
Big hugs.
Ty Jude for the kind mention we which all our best to make this thing go away we try everything the only thing that’s seem to work Is linden method
Hey there Sammy I am sorry you are having a bad evening,hang in there you have been to hell and are almost back. You will recover from this i am sure.I will google the Linden method too.Do you find the hot lemon helps a bit? I haven’t tried that.I realised today that i just cant take meds herbal or otherwise,i get too worried about possible side effects. I picked up some Rescue remedy Bach pastilles today but ended up throwing them away as my palps started not long after trying the drops.So i need to do this without drugs it causes me to much stress!!The doctor gave me some benzo for the plane trip but there is no way i am going to take it,i would imagine every side effect known.
Anyway Sammy i hope your night gets netter,let us know how you are getting on.
Don’t be discouraged, Floey. I know it’s hard not to. I’ve been brought to tears over frustration before as well. Some days i think my stages of palps are over for them to return a bit longer. I know you said you didn’t know what triggered them to return, and i’m very convinced that for me, there is no trigger. There are days when i can eat candy and chocolate and be fine. There are days where i can be stressed and i’ll be fine. Days where i’ve maybe had a few sips of caffeine and i’m fine. My point is, for some, there may be no trigger. On top of that, there are days where i have none of these trigger like things, but yet i have palps. I said when i first started using this page that i really didn’t think mine were triggered from anything and that they would just come and go when they wanted. It’s kind of sad to know sometimes that there may not be a trigger, because at least then you could eliminate it from your life. Not saying you don’t have a trigger though.
Yes Jude it does help a little an Ty for your kind have try the natural calm magnesium pls guys fight this I know it’s horrible dnt let those symptom take over your life they nt real dnt be afraid to go for a 30min walk you not ganna die you not ganna pass out pls use the sauna spend more time in the sun laugh enjoy your moment dnt let with anxiety you feel al kind of weird symptom and sensation you ganna die you ganna have a heart attack or stroke or my blood is not circulating right numbness its a long list always remember you ok nothing wrong
Thanks for the encouraging words Sammy,beautifully put!I couldnt get the natural calm here but am taking another magnesium complex and I do believe it takes the edge of things for sure. I was concerned about taking it a first but convinced myself there was no possible side effects so all good
Hi Josh glad things are still getting better for you and sounds like your papls are just the way they are, no rhyme or reason. That must help to just accept them and let them run their course although i know they are still so frustrating for you.I think it can do your head in trying to work them out I know it does mine!!
Susan just wondering how you are getting on today?
Thank you everyone for your kind words. I will update you all later tonight on how my day went.
Wishing everyone a wonderful day.
<3 you are all in my thoughts.
Hi there Floey havebeen thinking of you too. Hope today is a wonderful one for you.
My palps went silly again last night but I think evenings are worse as I am trying to relax and cant do that!!There is just so much stuff happening in my life at the minute that I think I just have to ride it out till we get overseas and settled.There aren’t scaring me anymore I figure after 6 weeks if something was going to happen it would’ve by now!!It is the longest I have had them ever but realise that I am in a wonderful but stressful spot at the moment.I wake up buzzing in the morning that flight/fight response ready ugh….to early in the morning for that, a sleep in would be good lol!
Hope everyone else having a good day, thinking of you.
Jude how does your heart and chest feel do you also feel they get worst with activity like walking do you get shortness of breath as well
Hi Sammy.No my breathing is fine,I dont get a fast heart rate anymore just the plaps and that feeling of heightened awareness and it actually gets heaps better with exercise. I think that is my problem at the moment. As i have been sick i haven’t been exercising.I usually go for a run in the morning and that burns off the excess adrenalin!How have you been?
Am not having the best night again you guys. And I got a lot of sleep last night and felt rested this morning. They started around 6 this evening and its 11 and they’re still around.
I’m trying to calm down and relax but it’s hard. I’m not stressed or anything I’m just relaxing around the house.
Has anyone found ways to try to control them once they start?
=/ This is so tiring…
Floey were you on some kind anti anxiety at all cause you sound more like me
Hi Sami. I was, like 4yrs ago. But nothing since then. And my palps first started when I was just at home relaxing getting ready for bed.
Can you tell me a little bit about your story and how you’re dealing with it? Do you still feel them daily?
xoxo
Hi Floey
Snap mine are always there when i am relaxing.Today I tried to snuggle up and watch a movie on tv with my son and bang they started.I stayed put trying to just get thru them but in the end had to get up and do something!!When i am in a truly stressful situation no palps but when i try to relax they hit.Today they have been present all day,yesterday wasn’t as bad.No rhyme or reason it seems.The other night when i kept waking up overnight with a panic attacks was after I had had the best night out with the kids. We had been to see Potted Potter a comedy about the Harry Potter series and I laughed the whole time. It felt fantastic so why did I have panic attacks overnight?I just keep working at it and I am hoping that once we get overseas they will settle. I am so excited about it and dont feel anxious but my body is telling me otherwise!!!I wish i could help explain yours Floey as I know that would help.I know this is going to sound stupid but I dont think you need to be anxious for anxiety to attack. It is my chicken and egg theory. What comes first the palps or the anxiety?
It really is tiring and i feel for you.I have been trying breathing thru mine and this does help a little. It takes a few minutes. I sort of say” bring it on” and just let them happen and breathe deeply in thru my nose out thru my mouth to expand my stomach on the breath in as I realise during the palps I hold my stomach in tight which doesn’t let your chest expand.I have only just started this and I think it will need practice!!When I am on a plane for 24hrs i cant really go for a jog to distract myself so i have to find a way to settle them. Maybe you should give it a go.
I wish i had the answers Floey I am looking for them myself but your not alone, we are all here for you and you WILL get thru this.xxx
I would love to hear others thoughts on this but I have bnoticed my anxiety flare ups seem to also happen when i am at my most happiest and content? Could it be that our bodies are so used to being stressed that when we are happy we let our guard down and this freaks out the body as it defenses are down and springs into fright flight mode again?
JUDE- I’ll watch mine today and let you know how they occur.
Last night, however, I was noticing a different type of beat almost. It was like a faint little skip in the middle of chest this time when I tried to catch my breath. It seemed different and weird. Has anyone else experienced this?
Floey you feel like a bump in your chest it’s not from your heart I have that to
What is it? I don’t know if its a bump exactly.
My heart has been beating hard today. Not so much fast, just hard. And I can’t even lay down because it’s so distracting.