Anxiety Guru

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How to Stop Heart Palpitations

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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.

 

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Comments

  1. mmmm wont write much as my last 3 posts haven’t turned up so Testing testing!!!!To the moderator if there is something wrong with the content of my posts can you please let me know and heartfelt thanks for this forum.It has helped me immensely.

  2. Not sure if this post will get thru none of my others have so i might as well make is short!I miss hearing from everyone this new format doesnt seem to be working well . Amy you asked for my email it is treelove243@gmail.com love to hear from you sometime.

  3. Since the posting on this site is not going well, I’m offering my e-mail address if anyone wants to contact me with your e-mail address and don’t mind sharing it with others, maybe we can get an e-mail group going at least. Or something! So, it’s amy345@windstream.net.

  5. Hi All, Your comments are coming through they are just being approved slowly. I’ll try to update them at least once a day moving forward. Thank you!

    Paul

  6. How is everyone doing here?!?! Sorry I’ve been MIA for so long. Updates pleaseee! Por favor.

  7. Hey guys,

    I’m trying to find a resolution to get us all in constant contact with each other…

    Jude and Amy both put their email addresses on here, if you want to keep up with the group on a more personal level please email one of them – just read the comments and the addresses are in there somewhere.

    GARY – please post something – or even your email address again – we can’t find it and I’m curious how you are doing.

    MODERATOR – please have some compassion on us and fix this site! Ever since the changes no one is using your site any more. This place was a source of healing for many of us!

    I’ve been doing great – been anxiety drug free for about a month and haven’t had any real issues. Occasional PVC but thankfully no big runs like I was having. Of course, I stopped exercising like I was because that was becoming a huge source of fret and fear. Been watching calories more than anything.

    Praying everyone out there is doing well! Please post!!!! As previously stated, Jude and Amy were brave enough to share their emails… please email them and get onto our thread!

  9. Hi Josh. I miss talking to you too and have been thinking about how you are going.Have managed to get email contact with Amy and Stephan and starting a chat thru emails so please join us! My email is treelove243@gmail.com Amy has also posted hers above too if cant get thru on mine.Hopefully Floey does too.

  14. Well ive suffered from heart palpitations since I was 17 and im now 27 and dc still cant find out the cause ive had two ECG over the past 10 yrs which both came back fine and so did all my blood tests. Problem is I dont just get palpitations occasionally like most of you I have then constantly until I get meds and then after 4 months on meds my palpitations and shaking from inside my body Slowly decreases.Ive learnt to kinda cope with them now but still cant get used to lightheaded feeling and the panic attacks.

  15. I’ve been having 10-20 maybe more actually heart palps a day for a week, I’m trying not to freak out, any suggestions

  16. Very well explained… This coming from a Panic Disorder sufferer x 15+ years and a knowledgeable medical professional.
    It’s still awful to experience, even with a solid understanding and a long history 🙁

  18. Iv been on Zoloft for 3mnths. Alot of sideeffects. Liver Enzymes shot up but were normal b4 I got Zoloft in my system. Lots of sideeffects. Diaherra, bruising, enzymes shot up to in the low 50’s. Normal I think is undet 30 or 20? Anyway, addiction psychiatrist said stop the 50mg Zoloft I was on for 3mnths just about because of sideeffects. Just stop it cold turkey. I looked it up an says not to ever stop antidepressants cold turkey. So its my body an I decided to start weaning but I think its to fast. In 11 days went fr 50mg to 12.5mg. 3 days ago, when I started the 12.5mg started having palpitations every now an then. Still having them. Got about 12 12.5mg left. All this palpitations started when I went down on dosage. Called two pharmacists they ssid sounded fast to wean. Could cause palpitations. Due to your body freakin out without the Zoloft effect on chemicals in brain. They said keep on 12.5 an last 4 go every other day. Then Ill have to stop. I must be sensitive to Zoloft I guess. Has anyone experienced this b4 an can that happen? I also take Clonapine whenever necessary. Im recovering Tramadol addict. No pills since may 12th. They put me on Clonapine after detox. I was ok. Then a N.P. started Zoloft an had probs ever since. I do think I have anxiety but I think palpitations r fr rapid drop in brain chemicals Serotonin, norepinephrine an dopamine. Ill try more water an electrolytes I guess. I see Cardiologist on Sept 3rd. Any ideas would help. Its quit irritating getting fluttering 6x’s a day since Thurs. Thanku. Aud.

  19. Just reading all your comments guys and I feel for you. Been through many of them issues myself for the past 13 months. Its been quite tough at times so I know exactly what you mean. Insomnia, feeling wired, agitated, lightheaded, nauseus, palpitations. It can seem never ending at times.

  20. Hello all,
    I am 26 years old and I’ve never really had any issues with anxiety for the first 25yrs of my life but for some reason after I turned 26 I became vet conscious of my health and began over thinking a lot of the stuff I had been feeling.I don’t know exactly when it began but I think it all started after I talked to my father in law about this weird heart fluttering sensation I occasionally had.once I said it out loud it was as if I was recognizing that there was indeed a problem and 4 days later I was in the hospital because I had this tightness in my chest and it felt as if the end was near.The doctors cleared me and said that I was physically healthy.I was ok for about a month and then it was back.i felt a awkward fluttering of the heart and in the moments that this would happen I thought my heart was going to fail.its odd to me because I’ll will be ok for weeks and then it gets bad for like a week.all of this has caused me to be anxious in anticipation of the next time it will happen.wen I’m anxious it feels like my brain is in overdrive and I can feel adrenaline shooting up the back of my neck.it literally feels like I’m losing my mind.i work the early shift at work so I’m up early and on the days I’m anxious I can’t sleep,so I lay in bed dreading work because I’m exhausted.sometimes its really hard to believe that’s it’s just anxiety.like I said the first 25 yrs of my life I was ok and now there’s always this lingering fear of the darkness.

  21. i am 19 yrs old guy recently i had a very difficult situation about my family so i used to too stressed about it and after months i had hemmoroids operation due to which i am suffering from post epidural puncture headache and now a days i am felling like i am dying so there is anxiety which is causing heart palpitation an high heart rate how can i be cured ?

  23. louise x, could you please email me at rykerjem860@outlook.com
    After 40 pills of levaquin my body was blown out like I was electroctuted. I sting all over and have pounding heart, it is not high but pounds non stop 247. When the stinging all over happens the heart goes down so it is something to do with nerve damage but I cant do it much longer. The terrors and feeling like I am on 100 cups of coffee.
    I tried a beta blocker but no luck. I am either stung to death all over or the heart pounding, it alternates. Can someone help me. I never had this until my body went off like a bomb form the levaquin.. I want to die it is so torturous 247.

  24. I have had palpitations for 4 days now. I got a massage and later that day my palpitations started. I’ve been to 2 different ER and the 1st one only did an EKG and there was a PVC on there. They just said its anxiety. I’m not a fan of that word I don’t think I have anxiety. The 2nd hospital actually hooked me up and watched me for little over and hour. I had a lot of PVC. I see a cardiologist in 2 days I am also 28 years old female and mother of 5 just want everything to be ok

  26. Hi I’m 25 I got diagnosed with bradycardi with the flutter heart beats, heart stopping resting it self, the palpatation problems for three yrs now my doctors thought I had epilepsy but found out I have psychogenic non epileptic seizures for stress seizures forms from childhood to adulthood and anxiety disorders alondg with it my doctors and specialist tell me a mom of two I can no longer work because my stress seizures cause blank stairing that I’ve had since childhood and I can no longer driver so I do know how some you feel it’s hard

  27. This is very informative. I think exporing relief options is calming in and of itself. I’ve had crazy palpitations at all odd times and whenever i don’t have them i think wow they’re gone. The cool thing is, I love the Lord and know He cares for me. This will not last. you/I will not suffer forever. Think of it as something your body is going through. Adjust your busy-ness,take time to do nothing and without a cell phone. If you don’t know Jesus, get to know Him. I honestly don’t know how anyone without faith in the Lord can survive in this world. Blessing to all who stumble upon this. Consider this a shout of from God to draw near to Him. Pray. He’s there…always has been, always will.
    Philippians 4:6 [Full Chapter]
    Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
    Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.
    Peace, salvation and eternal life are yours. see John 3:16

  28. I have suffered from atrial fib for many years and controlled it with meds.
    After 20 years no meds worked, so I found out what vitamins would help
    and took those, but was still getting them. After much research I started meditating twice a day for a half hour or more, a year later my afib has stopped. Not completely but almost and no anxiety. I also got on an Alkaline Diet and that helped me the most. I thought that I would share this as no one on this site has mentioned diet or meditation. I hope this will help someone to get their anxiety and palps under control.

  29. Hi I’m Robyn I’m 30 I suffered from panic attacks and anxiety between the ages of 15 – 25 on and off but for some reason it’s back and much worse I suffer from palpitations that feels like my heart is fluttering at times it all started suddenly after a few very stressful days and normally starts when I start to think about it, If I relax and sleep when I wake up it’s gone but comes and goes at odd times few days ago I was on a river trip in Thailand and it was probably the most relaxing day I have had in a long time and I was fine all day but I then received an email that stressed me out that evening and it all started again it’s so frustrating.

  30. I have suffered from anxiety and palpitations along with dizziness over twelve years now. I started finally getting better. Last year my mom got ill with cancer. I noticed my hair falling out constantly which caused anxiety. She passes away three months ago and my palpitations are almost constant. I am short of breath and dizzy again. I have had many visits to the ER and they have checked me out saying I’m fine. I decided to see an endocrinologist for hair loss and they did a huge amt of blood work and urine test. Had found out through tests I have a small benign mass on my left adrenal gland. Which is causing more anxiety. I am wondering if the adrenal mass could be cause of the palpitations which I have read or me over thinking things and getting myself worked up. I am afraid to have a heart attack but drs never found anything major accept my resting heart rate was 87 which seemed fast. Do I need a beta blocker or just stick to the meds my endocchronologist gave for my hormones? So frustrated……..

  31. Hey Loni, I’d share my concerns with the doc directly and have him/her explain why they recommend whatever it is they say. Reassurance: word of the day!

  32. Very informative article. I have been a sufferer for over 30 years. This article sums up all my reasearch. I am on antiarrythmic drugs with extra dose of a beta-blocker if needed. I practice all your natural suggestions too and it really helps when you know what is going on. My palps have developed into Afib which is a bit more serious and can be life threatening. Prolonged palps need to be checked out to make sure it is not Afib. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference. This should be addressed in one of your future articles.

  33. To Florian. After reading your comment, it seems like part of your episodes may be related to hormones. Before, during your period. This happens to me. I have a great week of no pvc’s etc. then the closer it gets to my starting, bam…here they are again. Feel better.

  34. Yes I have heart papa and they scare me. I have did test and been to heart doc. On beta blocker but 3 test halter. 2 showed nothing 1 you put to land line show little something she jumped to a fib word. And now iam going try see a another heart doc and take low dose aprin with beta blocker but it. Does scare you they say papa or a fib. I that’s true we all have that.

  35. This is the only post of yours I’ve read, Paul, but I’m going to read more. I’ve been suffering from anxiety disorder for over 15 years now, and no medication has really worked for me except for benzodiazepines. I don’t take them often or in a high dose because for as long as I’ve been dealing with this, I know anxiety isn’t going to kill me. It’s very hard to live with, though, and hard to find good psychiatrists or therapists that hav coping strategies or a treatment plan of any kind. It’s very helpful to know reasons why my body might be doing this, though, so thank you for that.

  36. Hi everyone,I hope this blog still on and I can share my experience with heart palpitations .Being from small age very sensitive and with long history stress after my born child I get those weird sensations in my heart.Done most test,everything seems ok,but this staff never going out.I would like find somebody with the same problem.It will help to know that I am not alone in this

  37. I have been living with PVCs for two years now. You mention wheat here a lot. For me it’s actually a trigger. Wheat can cause adrenaline rushes. Also guys being off, lots of gas. Going on eating binges and eating the wrong foods will cause them.

  38. Palpitations can be a symptom of an over active thyroid, its worth getting a blood test to make sure thyroid is normal.

  39. I get palpitations when I’m not anxious, and I’m prefectly healthy, have a good diet, and even drink that water with added electrolytes. Any idea??? It’s scary. It’s usually flutters, but I have a really fast heart rate anyway, and I become sick whenever I do intense sports in a very short time.

  40. I know just how you feel. I had a heart attack a year ago, started having anxiety attacks, thought I was going to die, got chest pains, thought it was another heart attack. They didn’t know why, had to go to psychologist, used up all my sessions so they stopped. But………… I have got myself well again, hooray, there is hope out there, truly, so here is how I got myself out of the anxiety loop…………… I hope it helps you all.

    I made up my anxiety folder. Every useful bit of information I found on the internet, ie the information above, I would print it out with the website address and put it in my folder. I probably now have 50 pages in it. The above information I will print out and stick it in there as the author says how scary the palpitations are and how you are not alone in being scared. That does help to know that it happens to a lot of people. Every time I heard something on the tv, or a friend, a celebrity going through anxiety, I would write it down and pop it in the folder. I kept it beside me at night so I knew that if I felt anxious I could have a read and the answer would be there. I also take around with me some rescue remedy, just a small glass phial and a few drops. I know it works because it stopped an anxiety attack in a supermarket. I also got some Diazepan from the doctors as I had ended up in A&E with another anxiety attack. I haven’t taken any but I carry it in my handbag just in case. But having those two things as back up has given me confidence. I also went to a herbalist who gave me this amazing mixture, I take 5ml 3 times a day, it stops my mind racing and has really helped me cope with stress which used to make me feel weird. Like a car cutting me up, used to get me angry but the feeling wouldn’t leave me, I continued to be angry and worked up, it was horrible. I also take Ashwagandha which has also given me energy and helped me cope and be calmer. I also take Rhodiola and Maca, although I have huge stress in my life at the moment, finance, caring for mother, divorce, bringing up two children, Dad died it has helped a great deal to cope with all the problems. I am also hypothyroid and palpitations and anxiety are all part of it. Although my doctor tested me and said I was within normal limits that can be so wrong. I had all the other symptoms of low thyroid and I went to a natural endocrinologist who diagnosed weak adrenals and I now take Levothyroxine and make sure all my vitamin and mineral levels are at a good level. Lack of magnesium can cause palpitations, a good site is Drsinatra.com and mercola.com all in the US, lots of free information about diet, vitamins etc. I also like calmclinic, very good information. So with all that and getting a good nights sleep, I have cut out sugar as that caused sugar spikes which set off palpitations and shakiness and I have cut out gluten. I also suspect that I have another sensitivity so I am being tested in a weeks time. Its all research, there is a physical cause, either diet, vitamin/mineral deficiency or hormonal. But make sure you get your heart checked first, and I know how scary that is on its own, but it will then give you confidence to know it has other causes. I also bought some MP3 hypnosis and meditations on stress and anxiety. I make more time for me and I go for two walks a day, not just fast walking but listening to the birds, looking at the flowers and being in the moment. I don’t drink tea before bed but water, I have a light nibble middle evening and take zinc and magnesium citrate before bed. So I do have a little relapse sometimes but its usually due to a change of routine, a late night, insomnia or a lot of stress one day. But generally I feel heaps better, oh and I don’t feel guilty sitting in the sun and having time out now. I hope you find some help from this. And I don’t watch horror or scary films or programmes now, I watch comedy and light hearted programmes now. Look up anti anxiety foods, that helps. good luck guys, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. And don’t forget, if you get palpitations, it can just be stress hormones, a change of position, what you have eaten, dehydration or other normal causes, so try not to let your adrenaline also kick in which doesn’t help matters, I used to get a palpitation, then automatically get scared, add in the adrenaline and heyho, welcome more palpitations, then more adrenaline. I notice them, think others get them and they stop within a beat or two. Best stop now………..x

  42. I suffer from pvc,and anxiety, and I’m having problems copeing, I’m 44 years old,and I suffered a heart attack due to a blood clot,I was very lucky, I left the hospital with no medication, just a follow up with a cardiologist, which ran tests and cleared Me a clean bill of health, no damage to my heart,but yet I still get palpitations,and panick attacks.

  43. Hi Everyone, I have dealt with anxiety for a long time. My triggers are stress that build up over time then BOOM I get anxious. Heart palpitations are scary but did you know that a lot of people have them. It is just us who are hyper sensitive to our bodies and then when we thing about them they happen more often.
    I have had them off and on all week. Been through it before, I use to go to ER. I went to the Dr today just to be checked out. Once I know that my heart is fine then the anxiety subsides. I also need to remove the stressors from my life. The Dr did a EKG and some blood tests. I will get the results of my thyroid and magnesium levels on Monday, Today is Friday. I am taking 150 mg Effexor that I have been on for quite a while. About 10 years ago I had a major breakdown, got into some great drs and was back to normal in 6 weeks. I have been taking 75 mg of Effexor for the last year and a half. The highest I have been on is 225mg when I was at my worst years ago. It was time to up the Effexor and now I have to wait for its full effects. I take klonopin also but not a lot. My dr today said to take a extra klonopin when my anxiety is high and then after things settle down I can go back down on it. I know my trigger this time. I was cleaning out some closets, and ran across quite a bit of stuff of my sons. We lost him to cancer when he was just 6 years old. It has been 25 years but this was my trigger. I miss him dearly. My psychologist who is in florida right now, I am in iowa called me yesterday to talk. He wants me to join a water aerobics class at the Y. He said I need people my age to talk to (51). I called the Y and the Director was super sweet. He said not only is the Y to help with being healthy but to make new friends and to have a outing that is healthy for the mind. If anyone wants to email me please do. I love to talk to people. Right now as I sit here I am having heart palps but am heading out for a long walk. God Bless you all for this site. Deb

  44. One more thing. The EKG was normal. I know it’s sounds silly to go get checked out but you have to do what you have to do to make yourself feel better. Thanks for reading my post and sorry for the typos. Deb

  47. I have lots of palps. Sometimes 3 or 4 times a day and sometimes I go for a week without having any. I have had my heart checked out and all is normal (I had open heart surgery in 2000) I have discovered that eating a big lump of food and swallowing slowly stops them. I now always carry some bread or a roll on me whenever I am out. One large chunk swallowed, and 99% of the time they stop! I am just curious to see if this works for anyone else?

  48. Im 34 weeks pregnant and the past week when i lay down for bed i have ben get sudden thumps in my heart my cardiologist did blood work and am ekg and everything was normal what can it be im on a monitor but certainly am scared to be put on a beta blocker im only 27 years what do you think this could be??

  49. can anyone relate to this? I had to deal with caring for my Mom who had colon cancer and then due to not working during this time I lost my home and now am living in a trailer. Even after my Mom died I slept like a baby, though I grieved during the day. Since moving into the trailer in 2008 I have had anxiety and am awakened nightly with heart palpitations. I’ve been on different drugs to no avail. It is now 2015 and I swear to you, I have had about 5 nights normal sleep (no awakening or heart palps) during all these years. I don’t know how much longer I can endure the lack of sleep and stress. Differing doctors have been tried, but sometimes I feel they don’t really care or just don’t ‘get’ the misery I am suffering through. Oh to climb into bed and sleep through the night normally once again! Any suggestions? My thyroid is fine..Dr. has me on Pregnenolone to build up Cortisol as I’m on the low side. Do you think Gatorade or some such electrolyte drink would help? I’m at my wits end.

  51. I get PVC’s which cause severe anxiety… And then get severe anxiety which cause PVC’s. It’s a vicious cycle and once you start having PVC’s it’s impossible to stop thinking of them, and thinking about them only seems to make them worse!!! So frustrating!!!

  53. Hello i been having extra heart beats since i been26 they put me on medication and i did great for years i am now45 and my extra beats are constant. It scares me and i always think im going to die. I have to go see a cardiologist next month. But the thing is i wont leave my house i wont hang with friends like i use to. I feel like i lost my life

  54. I do not have anxiety. I do not have panic attacks. I do not have fight or flight things going on. I have always worn my feelings on my sleeve and I express myself all the time, even when not good. I have had heart palpitations for several weeks. I have gone to er twice, both saying it is anxiety. How do you get anxiety at 2 am while sleeping? How do you get it when just waking up in the morning and doing nothing but feeding dogs? My blood pressure is normal. My tests are negative after wearing a heart monitor for 24 hours, by which I didn’t have any palpitations during that 24 hour hook up. (Figures) My heart is NOT RACING as I try to tell my doctor. My heart rate is this: 0….0….0….0….0….OO….o….o….o….o….o….OO the palpitations are so hard they make my head hurt. I get nasty head aches after the ALL DAY episode. I was prescribed Hydoxyzine and that was working perfectly. I would get the palpitations and they would go away after I took it. But my family doctor WON”T listen to me. I try to tell him, My heart it NOT RACING. I am not in a panic mode. I am having a normal day doing my normal things and I get the palpitations. My heart is beating just fine and then they start. Nothing has startled me, I didn’t get a freak out. NOTHING. So he prescribes Atenolol. I take it for 3 days, now, sunday, today….I have had heart palpitations all freaking day long. Big hard ones. The 24 hours monitor said nothing was wrong with my heart. I’m not worried, I’m not scared, I’m not panicked, I’m not anxious about anything, my heart isn’t racing. There is NOTHING but the palpitations and the atenolol is NOT working. I don’t know what else to do.

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