Health anxiety and skipped heart beats

[Leolady23]

Over the past 6 months I’ve been having bouts of heart palpitations presenting as skipped beats. In the last week or so the palpitations have gotten much worse, but I feel like the more I concentrate on them the worst they get, sometimes with 5-6 skipped beats a minute. I have had ecgs, holter monitor and echo test in the last 6 months all showing no major issues. In the last week though it tends to come in waves with intense anxiety as well, sometimes what feels like a panic attack without really feeling ‘anxious’ at the time it comes on… has anyone else experienced the same and what (if any) are some techniques to overcome? 

[Leolady23]

Thanks Eagle Ray, that makes sense. I generally suffer OCD so I think there’s a lot to unpack. It had felt like I’d gotten on top of things for quite the last few years, however something changed this year, and I’m not exactly sure what the trigger has been. Nothing too dramatic has really happened. I think seeing a new psychologist will help, but I’ve also been doing research and reading some good books about the matter. Hopefully the healing process is underway! Thanks again for sharing your journey, it helps knowing it gets better! 

[Eagle Ray]

Dear LeoLady23,

Yes, I really believe it can get better. I have a friend with OCD who has the ectopic heart beat too, so maybe there is a link there somehow. There seems to be growing research on how certain conditions can be linked with certain autonomic/body responses and patterns. Perhaps if the OCD settles somewhat the heart palpitations will too. All the very best and I hope it starts improving soon.