Health anxiety and heart palpitations.

[Rambini]

Hey guys,

So I have been suffering from anxiety for a few years now. I have had a couple episodes of heart palpitations that would make my heart race off like a rocket which is very scary at times.

Now, I’m at different stage and a whole load of stress because of my father ill health (bloody cancer). I’m experiencing the sensation of where my heart skips a beat/ fluttering. At night, I’ve even lost sleep a couple of times because the skipped heart beat wake me up and it lead to tachycardia.

I haven’t had the skipped heart beats before and it’s quite recent. I want to know what have people done to reduce them from happening again or stop them. I’m open for any advice and many thanks in advance.

[baet123]

Hey Rambini,

Welcome to the forums and thanks for posting. It is extremely brave of you to share your situation with us and I can tell that you are extremely resilient, strong, intelligent and courageous. These are amazing qualities you possess and what you have been through with your own battles and the stress you were under resulting from your father's condition is a testimony to the person you are.

Sorry to hear that you have been struggling from health anxiety for years now. I struggled with health anxiety for 5-6 years due to my weight and I experienced most of the "common" symptoms associated with this condition. Heart palpitations is absolutely one of the most common symptoms. May I ask have you ever had any tests done to see if it was the anxiety or a symptom of another underlying condition? I believe for your peace of mind, it may be a good idea to visit your GP and discuss your symptoms and what your experiencing with him/her and go from there. Regarding your heart palpitations, I would consider asking your GP for a referral to a cardiologist and discussing these issues with him. They will run a few tests which including an ECG, Ultrasound of the heart and possibly a 24 hour holter monitor which will allow your specialists/GP to rule out palpitations due to cardiovascular conditions/disease which should help you a bit.

I know what your going through is scary but being able to rule out conditions often provides many with some sort of comfort. You mention you have been suffering from anxiety for years. Have you ever spoken to a health professional about it or undergone any form of treatment? If you haven't, it would be a good idea to consider seeing your GP and discussing medication/therapy options available. Medication in combination with therapy generally works best. Of course, not one size fits all but this is something to absolutely consider.

Hope this helps and things will get better mate. You are extremely keen and motivated to get better and this is the most important step in the recovery/treatment process.

Look forward to hearing from you again and all the best.

Nick.