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.
Bransdenmoss you are amazing and should feel so proud of yourself. To have been thru what you have and dealing with it initially at 19 is awesome .I know the last hurdle isnt easy.You get so close to normality but it just looms there still. I hate the way it changes symptoms ugh drives me crazy. You feel so good when one goes then a newbie comes along.Been thru the list of them yet lol? I am sure i have!Yes definitely giving up the fight,losing the fear and letting them be does help so much.Keep in touch hey.
Amy I am so happy to hear you are crawling out of that dark tunnel.It is so hard and takes time but you are doing it my friend, well done!I hope yopur cold is feeling better soon. That certainly doesn’t help at all.Thinking of you big hugs x
Hey there Floey.Are you still on the Prozac? These meds can take 4 to 6 weeks to kick in so if you aren’t having bad side effects I would give them a little longer? what did your dr think?whatever you do even if you have only been on them for a few weeks don’t stop taking them suddenly as you can get awful withdrawal symptoms( see Stephans last post)Let us know how you get on.
Have a happy day everyone.
Hello! How is everyone on this snowy morning?
Thankyou for that advice amylt, i am seeing doc this friday and going to see about a low dose of medication to get startedand ease my way in gradually! 🙂
How have u been?
HI JUDE. Thanks for the advice. I’m going to keep going on them for awhile longer. Palps are back to everyday, all day 🙁 Gooing to bed now and praying for a good day tomorrow.
Blessings!
Hi every1 I’m just new to this iv had really bad anxiety for over a year now 🙁 I’m sorta just getting use to it and have way more control over my panic attacks and racing thoughts. But the thing I really miss is being able to go out with a night with my friends and not have to worry about how bad I’m goin to feel the next day even if I only have a few drinks even the thought of it makes me panic do any of u have this problem? Does any1 have any advice
Hi fiona
Im sory to hear ur having such a bad time of it.. im fairly new to anxiety since last october, and yes it scares rthe hell outa me at times!
I get very bad panic attacks and an extremely fast heart rate..
Im much the same and can deffo see where u r coming from when u say about going out with friends on a night out, if i go out drinking sometimes ill have a panic attack that night but if not its the next day and where im hungover my anxiety hits an all time high and i find myself panicking soo much the day after drinking its unreal, ive gone to hospital so many times coz of this, thinking something is physically wrong coz my heart races so fast (200bpm) at times…
have you spoken to ur Dr about all this? or perhaps thought about a medication for it?
dont want to push you into it but it sounds asif ur having such bad time of it and perhaps thats what you might need?
do u also attend any kind of councelling or classes to learn to manage this anxiety or atleast help with it? if not that is also worth looking into..
Hey Everyone!
Just checking in. Haven’t really had time to post with a new baby and work being crazy. By the numbers, I’ve done as much in the past month at work as I did in the first half of 2012. So, sorry I haven’t been posting as much.
Floey- So sorry to hear that things aren’t the best right now. I can tell you that the only pattern to my palps is that there is no pattern. I have days where I don’t feel any, and then some where I feel them every hour. Luckily I’ve just got better at handling them over the years.
Bransdenmoss- I echo what Jude says, don’t beat yourself up, just work with what you have now and it WILL get better. I actually had an episode of a strong fast heartbeat when I was about 15 after smoking pot. I wanted to call an ambulance, but luckily a buddy of mine thought maybe it dehydrated me, so I started pounding some water and it got better. To this day I think if I get dehydrated it starts causing palps, which is why you will ALWAYS see me with a bottle of water. I don’t go anywhere without one, I mean ANYWHERE! Keep fighting, you will get better, as everyone here will tell you.
Justin- I’m with you on the meds, they scare the crap out of me. I have never taken any in the 10ish years I’ve had this problem. I’m too scared. But, if the need arises, sometimes you have to do what you have to do. I wouldn’t ever say never, but only as a last resort. And it really does help some people, just try to keep it temporary. Look at Stephan, he uses them rarely, but it works for him and he is doing great.
Stephan- Great to hear your update my friend. I’m happy to hear the legs are getting better! But man, wasn’t life so much easier in our 20’s! I don’t like this getting older thing! And yes you are correct, I’ve been spending any free time I get resting and playing with my new little girl. But you know I’m always thinking of you guys! I’m amazed at how much better I feel knowing there is a “support group” out there for me to go to for help and to offer help. And again, I owe that to you, as I probably wouldn’t be here posting if it were not for you.
Jude- If I could hug you I would! So I’m sending a great big internet hug your way. Each and every post you write makes me feel uplifted…even the one a few days ago where you just needed to vent! I have those days too, so it’s actually comforting to know I’m not alone. And please, vent any time! That’s why were here! But you are always so encouraging and helpful. I know I’ve said it a few times, but thanks so much for being part of this group! And I agree with your thoughts on anxiety being genetic at times. Only after I started my panic attacks did my dad tell me that he once got to a point that it was tough for him to leave the house. Funny, he told me that chugging water helped to stop his palps, so he always carries a drink on him at all times. Wow, what a coincidence! And I didn’t even know he had a problem!
Sammy- We are all worried about you, please let us know how you are doing. I hope all is well.
Everyone I missed- Keep posting, keep kicking anxietys butt and enjoy life. Try not to let it stop you from doing what you want to do.
Cheers!
Wouldn’t you know it, I woke up with anxiety this morning! But at least I feel a little better equipped to handle it. I was talking to someone today who mentioned she wakes up in the night with a racing heart. She also experiences fatigue with it. She said its from adrenal gland fatigue. I have heard about this; you hear it more from doctors that practice natural medicine instead of western medicine and I believe there is some truth to it. You can do your own research but as I was researching just now I came across some articles about MSG. Of course, we all know it as something that is added to chinese food and some people are sensitive to it. (I live in the U.S. so I don’t know if chinese food has it all around the world or not.) Headaches and heart palpitations are among the side effects. The bad thing is MSG is in so many other foods that I didn’t realize! I’m really beginning to link some things together. If you find you feel bad or have heart palps after eating, you should really look at what you ate and I bet there’s something in it that you are sensitive to. I think the most common would be sugar, carbs, processed foods, MSG. I also agree with Gary; drink as much water as you can. Sorry for the long, rambling post but I really couldn’t wait to share this with all of you.
Palps were very strong and annoying for me today / last night. Was so pooped when I came home from work I slept for 30min (I usually don’t nap). Praying for a peaceful sleep tonight and for some relief. Hope everyone else is well.
Hi everyone
How is your gorgeous new little girl and family going,such big love isn’t it!!Sending an even bigger internet hug your way my friend . Thank you so much for your ever so kind words, warmed me to the soul.You have been an incredible support to me with your calming,understanding and reassuring posts Mr Chamomile and it can be so grounding to know you are not alone and share with people that truly empathise.I wish i was on this board alone as then none of you would be going thru what you are but thanks for being here.Yes i do have my meltdown days but we get up, dust ourselves off and keep moving forward don’t we!That is what i love about this board as we are all here for each other good and bad days but especially the bad!Sounds like you are working way too hard does that mean you get the next 5 months off!!So good to hear from you 🙂
Fiona i am sorry you are going thru what you are.My heart goes out to you as you are that wonderful age where partying is a big part of your life ( way past my bedtime!) unfortunately drinking excessively and an anxiety disorder just don’t mix as i am sure you already know and as Justin can also relate.Alcohol for me meant panic attacks and the thought of not being in control when having a panic attack unbearable so i gave up drinking. Sure i had comments from friends who just didn’t get it but others were wrapped as I became the designated driver.I know it is easier said than done at your age but can you go out and not drink? Don’t stop going out as that wont help. We need to expose ourselves to things that scare us as when nothing bad happens when can be reassured and reduces the fear but maybe steer clear of the alcohol.I know you want to be like everyone else and drink and not have to worry believe me I have been there done that but I would rather not drink than have the panic attacks.I went away on a girls weekend a few months ago and everyone was drinking except me, I kinds felt sad but not when they all felt crap the next morning i jumped out of bed and went for a run and embraced the day feeling good and they were all a little tired and emotional!!maybe the other younger ones on this board may have some more helpful advice.Remember you are still early in your recovery and it wont always be like this,it will get better. Thinking of you and please let us know how you are getting on.
Floey a personal question here but are your palps worse around your period? mine are and i decided to search last night and apparently it is quite common and due to progesterone levels. One page i went to there were a lot of women in their 20’s with onset of heart palps beleived to be caused by this.It was really interesting.Just some food for thought!Hope they are settling now and you got some sleep as that doesn’t help.
My palps were shocking yesterday but today has been good.I havent run the last couple weeks as i have had a cold but was still walking, bike riding but today back to jogging and boy it felt good!I really think i need to rid of excess adrenalin and running does it perfectly.I wake up feeling edgy but after a run it starts to settle. Anyway not sure if that is it but a good day and I am taking it!!
Hi everyone gentle greetings to you all hope you guys doing well.
Sammy it is so good to hear from you,we have been worried about you my friend. Hope you are doing okay,been thinking of you.
Gary I forgot to mention that is incredible coincidence about your Dad and how similar it is with you both.Does support the genetic theory!Does he still carry that water with him just in case? Bittersweet as you would never wish this on anyone but good in that you can share and know he understands.Isn’t it incredible what our parents can hide from us to protect us.I guess we do the same!!Unfortunately I never talked to my dad about it but I am sure he suffered from anxiety but again us kids always came first,he was the most beautiful man.I can remember not long after my mum died we went and stayed with an Auntie for a couple of weeks and I think he had what then they called a “nervous breakdown” and then he got on with looking after 4 kids bless him.
BTW i am not sure if i am going to jinx myself but i have had a palp free day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!My first since October :):):):):);)I went from heaps yesterday to none today. Bliss and and happiness.I could get used to this!
hey Jude,
good on you! how great you had a palp free day! can’t say I’ve had one but as we’re learning from Paul and others, it doesn’t matter if you DO have palps, even after a free day, not mattering is the key, but hey, we all know how hard that is right?
cheers from Oz
JUDE – Are you a woman? I don’t know why but I always assumed you were male. hahahhaa. Ummm…no, my palps were consistent for a few months and they didn’t worsen or lessen during my period. Is that what happened with you? Do your palps get worse during that time?
I’ve read stuff about taking estrogen cream/etc to balance hormones but I’ve never thought about trying it — have you?
Floey-yes, i still watch a 4 year old through the week and sometimes my 3 year old nephew. My palps are about the same as the last few times i wrote–not a lot going on in the palp department. I wish you all could feel relief.
I really don’t notice a pattern in my palps. I get my random daily palps, but those i consider normal. The only pattern i suppose i could think of would be that when they get really bad, they only happen really bad 2-3 times a year. And i’ve not found anything that seems to trigger them.
I’m 27 and i take a beta blocker, and have for years now. Yes, there are some potential side effects to beta blockers, as there is for any type of medicine. I’ve read that some beta blockers can cause palpitations, but i think if you are already having the palps on a major level, then it couldn’t hurt to look into beta blockers. I’ve never noticed any increase of palps since i’ve been on it, but at the same time i still get my bad fits of the palps from time to time, so do they really work for me? I’m not too sure to be honest.
Also, the aloe gel you speak of Floey, i have seen that name come up a lot through the years when looking into things involving palps and relief. I do take the hawthorn berry, and i’m my no means an expert, so i would do your own investigation to see what you think. One thing Sammy advised me on early on was to be careful because it could lower your heart beat, and i did notice mine do that for a bit, then i stopped taking everyday and only 3 days a week, and that seemed to work for me. My doctor advised me to monitor my heart beat and my blood pressure for a bit upon taking it. And yes, hawthorn is said to be something that can help palps of all sorts from what i understood.
Hope everyone is doing good 🙂
JOSH – Good to hear from you 🙂 I didn’t know you took beta blockers — what is the name of the kind you take? Yeah, I was nervous about taking them because the Dr. said they would slow down my heart, but my palpitations are so bothersome that I don’t think I can live with them long term. How often do you take the beta blockers?
I keep forgetting to pick up hawthorn. That’s next on my list.
Thanks for the beta blockers info, really appreciate it 🙂
PS. Josh do you have an email or something I could contact you on?
Thanks so much Terry for your kind wishes and thoughts. I really appreciate it and of course from oz!been a very hot summer I hear.yes it felt so good yesterday.i kept waiting for them ,looking for them but they didn’t come!you are so right it doesn’t matter if we get them and I told myself that last night.if they come back today it doesnt matter they wont hurt me but the day off yesterday was lovely!! I’ will take it!!!!Wishing you a palp free day too.thanks again.
Hi Floey yes my palps are worse two days before my period VERY unusual for a male I know and guess what i even wear a bra,no wonder i suffer from anxiety!!!
But in answer to your question no I don’t take creams extra i am on the OCP but have been on it forever so probably should look at getting off it.Hope you have a had a good day x
hi all.. how are you guys?
Ok so i saw my doc today and they told me to start 25mg of sertraline for my anxiety and panic, i now have the tablets, however still to damm scared to take them as ive read they can cause all these side affects and even make u feel disconnected!? i dont like the sound of that?
Has anyone had this drug before? i believe its otherwise known as zoloft?
thanks peeps, hope ur all well and keep updating!
JUDE 🙂 LOLZZZ. I hope your palps are still under control!
JOSH – I just picked up Hawthorne berry 525mg. How many do you take a day? It says to take 4 on the bottle…seems like a lot.
Justin taking meds is a big decision but you have to be in the right frame of mind to take it,if not believe me you will talk yourself into every side effect,it is the way we run! It needs to be your decision and you need to be comfortable with it.I was in such a bad way when I took mine,What helped me make the decision was a very level headed friend who said” What if”?What if you take them and you start having side effects that you don’t like? You stop them and the side effects go away.They also reminded me that theses drugs bring relief to so many people but people only tend to bother to post on msg boards if they have had a bad result or side effect from them.If you do decide to start them start slowly,break that tablet in quarters and that way if you start to experience any side effects you hate there is less left in your body. But Justin most importantly if you do decide to stop do not stop them suddenly.Another good reason to start on a very low dose less chance of withdrawl side effects.You have to expect some side effects that is a given but if they aren’t too bad and you can work thru them then it was for me so worth it.But Justin if you do start to take them go in with a positive outset.Let us know what you decide to do.So hard i know.
Floey Hawthorn berry is a wonderful herb being used to treat various heart conditions but it is great that you treated it with the respect it deserves and questioned how much to take. You really need to talk to someone qualified about that as it deserves respect as it is a powerful healing herb just like a medication.Especially as you already have low blood pressure already. Sorry i cant help but the others may be able too.xx
Thank you for the info JUDE xoxo. Btw, have you ever tried beta blockers?
Hi Floey.no I don’t take beta blockers as mine are anxiety related it was better to work on that.i haven’t had my palps investigated for over 14 years now.maybe they would offer them now but I have a slow resting heart rate so I don’t think so.hope your palps have been behaving.you sound unsure which meds etc to take if any?so hard I know but just get as much info as you can.big hugs.
HiJude, thanks again for that advice and with all that in mind i have mae my decision,.. ive also read things online and seen so many other ways of help other than meds! i am now going to slowly get off the beta-blockers,and i am not going to take any meds for the anxiety / panic!
Im now looking into CBT and also HYPNOTHERAPY which seems to have a great success rate! 🙂 fingers crossed something comes of this, even if i learn to control them id be happy but they always get the beter of me :/
Hope you are well? still enjoying england? lol bet u feel cold compared to where u come from.
hope the rest of are all doing well
all the best
Thank you JUDE. Big hugs to you as well. I am currently just taking Prozac and magnesium. I am going to talk to my Dr. on tuesday about the Hawthorn Berry, and then my cardiologist in feb. about going on some beta blockers. The anxiety meds haven’t helped my palps so far.
Hey there Justin.Must feel so good having made the decision,phew!Well done!!I have often thought about hypnotherapy .CBT is fantastic and from what i have read with excellent results.I know that it worked well for me and still does!I still use it with good results. You sound so informed and positive Justin,brilliant and you will do it I have no doubts at all!!How did your course go? Has it started?Dont be so hard on yourself about them getting to you. I have had Panic attacks for a very long time and there are days where it gets the better of me too!we are only human,exceptionally amazing humans but still!!
Thanks for asking yes we are still loving England.Lots of beautiful stuff to see and do. Definately feeling the cold but have learnt to layer and warm gloves a must have!! but the houses etc are so toasty warm here.warmer than my house back home as we don’t have the central heating!They have just been having at heatwave with temperatures in the 40 degree c.back home,ouch!
Palps are definitely starting to settle, about time!!Anxiety been up a bit as I have had a cold so asthma playing up a bit and that makes me edgy but i am back into the running and that helps me immensely.The other thing I have changed is having my magnesium at lunch rather than the morning. I figure running helps me in the morning so the later magnesium helps in the afternoon.
FLoey wish i had that magic wand to help.Sorry the meds haven’t helped with the palps so far hopefully they will soon.Has it helped the anxiety at all? I guess that may be still high as the palps are still there. Hope you get some answers at the dr?Susan has recently started on some meds i wonder if that has helped her palps as they were really bad?Thinking of you.
Hi there everyone
Just wanted to share my happy news,almost 3 days without regular palps yeeehaaaaa!!!best got touch wood now i think!!!
Hope everyone else doing okay.have been thinking of you.
YAY JUDE!!! <3
Yippeeee!!! 😀 Jude! That is wonderful news!! I hope you continue to be palp free! And I wish everyone here a palp free day today and for everyday! BIG HUGS <3
Okay, so my Dr. just gave me atenolol for my palpitations. Has anyone ever been on those? xoxo.
Hey everyone.
Floey, i take the same hawthorn mg you have, but i take 2 a day 3 days out of the week. So, for me, on Monday i take one in the first part of the day and the other one in the evening. My email is universalpulse2@hotmail.com
The beta blocker i take is ToprolXl 50mg. I split it in two as well and take one in the early day and then again in the afternoon. Now, from what i’ve been told/read, taking a beta blocker and then taking hawthorn can effect people sometimes because essentially they do similar things. Now, i’m not an expert and i’m not saying i’m right, but for me that’s why i chose to take it 3 days a week instead of 7 days. I’m already on the beta blocker so w/both i felt it was too much, so i just lowered the number of days i take the hawthorn. But don’t forget to talk to your doctor if you do get a beta blocker. Most likely you may want to try the beta blocker alone w/out the hawthorn to see if it can help your palps first. But while you are there you may as well ask about the hawthorn for potential future reference.
Thanks so much Sylvia big hugs right back your way!!!i am so annoyed at myself for not realizing my asthma preventer was making them 100 x worse.I was having hundreds a day which is different to what i have had in the past but i just put it done to just anxiety.As a long timish anxiety sufferer it gets blamed for everything!Since i have been off the medication a huge improvement. I cant just blame the medication anxiety plays a big role in my palps no doubt but preventer wasn’t helping!!
Unfortunately my asthma has been playing up though so have made an appt to visit dr next week. I will be more aware and informed this time!!So anxiety levels high because of that but hey cant all be rosy can it!!!
But anyway after over three months of those palps i am so so so happy and excited to say 5 days now almost palp free.doing a happy dance,:):):):)So please everyone know that they do pass and it does get better. My patience was starting to run out I can tell you but so far so good. I know never to underestimate them they may be back tomorrow but for now i will run with it.Thinking of you all and wishing you palp free days always x
SO happy to hear that JUDE! 🙂 You definitely give me hope. Praying for 5 more + months of palp-less-ness for you :).
Thanks so much Floey! I really appreciate it and I wish you the same for you and for everyone always. How have yours been and what did you decide to do medication wise?big thank you hugs xx
Hi everyone. Just wondering how everyone is getting on and hope you all had a good weekend.I went to the dr today and got a new preventer medication for my asthma (one that wont worsen the palps!)I am cranky at my old dr as she new i had heart palps yet didn’t make the connection with the preventer she prescribed grr..Oh well i guess that is why we make ourselves so informed and aware.
Anyway thinking of all of you and hope that you are all doing well.
Hi Everyone, google brought me here. Started having palps when my daughter was born back in 2000. I went on a 25mg beta blocker, atenolo tenormin, but recently went to a generic brand since im no longer working. Recently over the last 2 weeks im getting a ton of them daily, they are draining me emotionally. I’m not sure why, yes i do have a little more stress than normal right now that im going to start a new business, but i could be reading a book perfectly relaxed and get a couple big ones. Sometimes i wish i could just go to sleep and hope to wake up better but i cant sleep my life away. Glad i found this page, it helps knowing im not alone.
How are your palps doing now JUDE?
Mr. Mom — hell! Welcome 🙂 I am so curious — did the atenolol work for you? My dr. just gave me those — I’ve been having palps nonstop pretty much for the past 3/4 months. I haven’t taken them yet because I’m a little iffy about them. Would love to hear your story!
Yes, the atenolol definately worked for me. it took about… i wanna say 2-3 days after starting the med. I’ve very skeptical about taking medication, in my opinion if there is something wrong with my body i want to try to fix it on my own by changing lifestyle , diet etc then as a last result try meds. Anyways, I started with 25mg which is the lowest dose, absolutely no side effects for me and anyone i knew who i seeked advice for before i started on them. It just slows the activity of your heart down a bit, in fact to be perfectly honest i didnt notice in change in myself when taking them. My BP while on them is still slightly high 145/95 on avg. so basically if i were to get off of them my blood pressure would go up because the beta blocker isnt there to regulate it lower. I have on occasion forgetten to take them and didnt notice til night time where i embarrassingly had a panic attack. I also get panic attacks because i pay attention to every little blip in my body, i hate it. I gradually got this way. I’m basically a 37 yr old latino male with frequent panic attacks, anxiety and i take a beta blocker for palps and get pvc’s. Anyone is welcome to email me at ninesixx@hotmail.com
Hi Floey and Jude, and welcome Mr. Mom. Nice to hear your story but sucks to hear about the palps. Sometimes i forget to take one of my beta blockers too, but i don’t ever notice any side effects or anything.
I’ve been having my weird chest pains again that i tried to get a medical card for so i could go to a specialist. They’ve been more sharp and noticeable and more so in the evening and at nite. It’s really annoying. I can actually feel on my chest a bruised/tender spot on the inside. Very strange. My cousin works at our local hospital so i called her to see about this specialist again and she thinks that i may be able to get a sliding type fee set up through the hospital that runs the specialist or something like that, so if the pain continues i’m gong to check that out real soon. Once again, i think it all has to do w/extreme gerd/acid reflux.
Hope everyone is getting along well.!
Wow josh, you just hit home with something. I periodically get some very nasty sharp chest pains that can last hours. I’m not sure if its the same kind you are speaking of but its right in the center of my chest. I take tums anti acid’s but it doesnt help. Its like a very sharp pulsating pain, when i get them i get very worked up and scared. I try to go for walks to get them off my mind and cant wait to go to sleep. Thank god they do not happen that often but when they do the scare the crap out of me. I also get palps, i wonder if they have anything to do with each other. I’m very startled that you brought that up.
Mr. Mom – thank you for the info!!! It seems like you still get palps? Are you still taking the atenolol?
That is very strange. I have the pain usually in the center, but sometimes on the right side of my chest. But the actual bruising i feel is more near the center. It’s hurting pretty bad right now.
Hi everyone!
Welcome Mr Mom so sorry that you needed to find this board but it has been an invaluable support to me over the last few months and hope it can be the same for you.You may have read my story but a quick summary i am a 44 yr old Australain female who was first diagnosed with anxiety and panic attacks in 2003 and fist experienced PVCs in 1997 ish.So i can really sympathise with you and truly understand what you are going through.You said the plaps come even when relaxed?mine would too. i wonder if this is as our bodies want us to be in flight fight mode and don’t want us too relax?If you read thru some of these posts there definately appears to be a relation between indigestion and heart palps and some mention of this on other google sites as well i have found. I use to notice mine were heaps worse after a big meal.Maybe starting your new business is giving you more stress than you realise, maybe once it is up and running the anxiety symptoms may settle?
I find with my anxiety I really tackled it in the first two years and then it sort of was still there just lurking in the background and every now and then rear its ugly but manageable head.I know now to let the panic attacks just happen ,not fight them and they pass quicker and easier. I have learnt to question and rationalize my fears and feelings towards those blips in my body that I feel before I react to them.I have learnt to make sure i exercise everyday and running especially of huge benefit,uses up that excess adrenalin!I have learnt to do things that scare me to reassure myself that all is okay,nothing happened!I have learnt to tell myself when feeling a panic attack that is what it is,just a feeling not a threat to my life.Not easily done I know and I still slip up often but it is my aim!
Have you tried magnesium? I have found this to be very useful not only with the palps but with relaxing me and easing the anxiety.Anyway sorry for my rambling I do it a lot.But please keep in touch and let us know how you are getting on. This crowd saved my sanity!!!
Hi Floey . how are your palps doing now. have they settled at all?I am still almost palp free,(touching everything wood in the whole house!!)Thanks for asking. I still get the occassional few a day but nothing near the hundreds I was having,It feels good and I wish you all the bliss that comes with that.I still keep looking for them though!I am finding i am getting episodes of fast but regular beats but i think that is just the anxiety throwing a new symptom. it does that very now and then, when i successfully tackle one it finds a new one!!My new preventer is working well for my asthma so if i can get the anxiety back under control which it almost is, FINGERS AND EVERYTHING CROSSED!!So what are your plans now Floey?
Josh it sounds like you are having a rough time at the minute with that pain.I hope your plans to get that health card work.How is the anxiety and the palps going?
Mr MOM i forgot to mention that we all know the shear hell,terror and fear that anxiety brings and know that we are for the good days but especially to listen on the bad ones.
Hope everyone else okay. Sammy worried about you, Hope you are doing okay.
You guuyss! Hello 🙂 Happy Chinese New Year! Anyways, I took the atenolol and I DO feel like my heart rate has slowed down a lot, but the palps are still there, just a lot softer and slower.
Has anyone experienced this before??? Please let me know what your experiences have been with atenolol.
Many thanks!
Howdy Peeps,
Glad everyone is managing to get by. It’s been a rough couple of weeks for me. The palps are there, infrequently, but lately I’ve just been feeling like something bad is going to happen and I can’t shake the feeling. I am leaving in one week for some testing in reference to a job I applied for in Colorado. My wife thinks this is bugging me out. I still deep down feel there is something wrong with my heart regardless of what the doctors say and I can’t seem to get over the hump mentally that I am just fine. I hate taking the Xanax but I’ve taken a handful in the past two weeks. A friend of mine recommended a product that has passionflower and a few other herbs in it and I just started that today – I hope it helps, I really do.
It’s just so weird, when I stay busy, I don’t ever notice an issue. Before I hit the gym, I can picture myself dropping dead on the treadmill but after I finally get going and finish I feel amazing. I’m just really flustered right now and am praying this episode passes soon.
Jude – I’m so glad to hear that you are doing much better! That is awesome. Just don’t get splinters knocking on all that wood.
A great big welcome to Mr. Mom.
Everyone else keep your heads up!
@ Floey, yes i am still taking antenolol its a generic version now because i have to pay cash for all my medications, luckily beta blockers are dirt cheap. I know its off the subject but i had kaiser permanente here in california and i was paying $20 every two months for pills and now that i lost my insurance i pay $17 for 3 months, doesnt make any sense.
But to answer your other question Floey, yes still getting them and alot within last two weeks =( Strangely i only get 1 palp when it hits before i took atenolol i would get harder ones and several in a row. sound weird? Now when i get them they are only one at a time. For anyone reading, i noticed the antenolol did slow my rate and lower my blood pressure slightly.
I remember when i first got on them i was in a panic so i took an extra pill and went to my doctor on a follow up visit and he told me to stop the meds for a day or two because my hear rate was too low, it was around 58 Bpm or something like that. I felt fine, just very very relaxed. So i would have to agree it will slow everything down a bit, but not to alarming or scary levels that will send you into a panic attack.
Stephen, i know what im about to tell you may not hit you deep in your senses and i hope it might but i’m pretty sure everyone on this board has gone through what you are going through now. I can promise you i have had that feeling of ultimate doom and death any minute feeling. I’ve been through the gym stress of thinking if i get a palp while working out i might drop dead.
By the way to anyone reading, i still get palps daily. Today i had about ummm 10-12. Sometimes i get them as im waking up in bed still, how stressful can that be? One thing i do is hydrate, drink a gaterade or powerade, the electrolytes seem to help noticeably. I still take 25mg of atenolol. For some reason in the last two weeks i’ve been getting them all day, when before i might get one a week. I’m not sure what has changed recently, yes i have recently lost my job in june of last year and im getting ready to launch a business. I might just be in denial about stress, but like i said getting palps while relaxing reading a book and first waking up in the morning? Just doesnt make sense to me. Everyone recommends magnesium and hawthorne berrie extract. I’m gonna give it a shot but im going to research on how to take the magnesium and verify its safe with my beta blocker etc.
Its wild but my wife started getting two years ago, made me start wondering what we were eating at home lol. And She has low blood pressure, so she probably cant take a beta blocker. My life………
Hi Mr. Mom – thanks for your message. I definitely know how you feel. I’ve been having palps since the end of Oct. nonstop, and I just (2 days ago) — started taking atenolol 25mg bc my Dr. suggested I give them a shot because nothing else was working (I tried Prozac as well).
So far I haven’t noticed anything different. I’ve still been having palps all throughout the day — especially when I’m sitting down and at rest (as you mentioned). I feel them the first thing when I wake up and right before I go to bed — as well as throughout the day. I’m praying that the atenolol will start working because it’s kinda my last resort :/ Really hope I don’t have to live with this much longer.
PS. I am from California as well!
Hey Stephen good to hear from you but not good if that makes sense. Sorry you are having a hard time of it the last couple of weeks. I know that feeling of impending doom so well.I went thru a stage when first experiencing panic attacks where i left notes for my beautiful kids just in case I died.i think the antidepressant i took helped me overcome that .Admittedly I may get it every now and then but incredibly rarely and i can recognize what it is and so it passes very quickly and doesn’t cause me grief or scare me.Your feelings sounds similar to mine in the exercise really helps. I think it as we are producing too much adrenalin with the anxiety and the exercise uses it up.Your wife might be right( we always are you should know that by now!)it may be subconcious stress about the job that you are not aware of. this happens to me often drives me nuts.I feel really relaxed and open to changes and challenges in my life but get the anxiety symptoms grrr….hang in there my friend you will get thru this i know it.If you are worried about the Xanax maybe it is time to head back to the Dr and look at something suitable for more long term?
Mr Mom just to reassure you I was having over a hundred palps a day for over 3 months and I am still kicking.Not that takes away the fear that yours are giving you but may help reassure you a bit. That is interesting about your wife having them too. Sylvia who posts here has posted some very informative posts about diet and environment n relation to palps. She has cured hers that she had for years by keeping a diary of food etc and finding herself what affects it and has cured herself,inspirational with supplements and dietary changes.
Hey Floey!Good luck wihth the atenolol. Hope it settles those palps real soon. I can definately understand how tiring the whole thing is for you. But hang in there my friend we are all here for you and it will get better.Big hugs xx
I am so frustrated that i cant make everyones better.I know how crappy this all is and the intense fear and would never wish it on anyone. But know i am thinking of you and wishing you all peace and happiness.x
Hey everyone.
Jude-my palps seem to be okay still. i usually have no more than 2 or 3 daily, for now.
I’m back to exercising daily again. I kind of fell out of the loop there for awhile w/the chests pains and all, it’s hard to exercise. I’ve been slowly working myself up and riding almost 3 miles daily.
Floey-i really really want you to find some relief soon :/
Stephen-i hope you get back to being better soon. I guess most of all will all have our flare ups from time to time.
Mr. Mom-how is your chest pain? Mine has been perfectly fine the last 3 days, so i’m from what i can tell is every few months i get a few days to a week long of chest pain. I really am truly convinced it’s my indigestion/acid reflux acting up from time to time. I’m relieved to feel “normal” again, but it’s definitely something i need to take care of, especially if it keeps resurfacing.
Hi Josh and Jude – thank you so much for your comments. This is my 4th day taking Atenolol and so far I haven’t noticed a reduction in the palps, except that they just feel faintly softer — but nothing to write home about.
How has everyone else’s experience been with beta blockers?
Josh – so glad to hear you’re feeling normal!
Jude- many hugs to you as well!!
Theyr’e back ,so sad ugh…….
Hopefully just a bad day and tomorrow they will be better. Taking a big deep breath and keep moving forward as we do. maybe a little cry too!
HUGS JUDE!!!!!!!!!! Hang in there. It WILL Get better. I know it.