Anxiety and Palpitations… Help!

Posted , 2 users are following.

hi guys!

Back in May this year I was on a long walk with my other half, after 40 minutes I started getting palpitations, around this time we were planning our wedding and I was under a great deal of stress and already combatting health anxiety. I started getting back pain and went to the doctors in fear my heart was failing, they first tested for blood clots and I was fine, then after persisting that I was getting palps everytime I walked outside they referred me for a 24 hour ECG. Around this time my palps were after long walks, they always stopped when i got home and sat down.

The 24 hour ecg was done in July and came back that during exercise I was getting ventricular eptopic beats. I couls guarentee when I went for this walk I'd get them.

fast forward to now, its not just walking outside, I get them walking downstairs, tidying my house, I am terrified to walk outside. My doctor said they are normal, everyone gets them, i am just more aware of them! However, i was referred to a cardiologist, my app is January... six months after my referral. the wait is killing me, its making my anxiety worse as I am terrified theres something wrong with my heart and arteries as the palps have got worse, and start up with my heart beats faster. ive also been feeling like i cant breath, my chest feels tight.

im unsure whether to pay £450 for a private echocardiogram for peace of mind to check out my heart, or if this is anxiety it wont help!

the one day i didnt notice palps this year was my wedding day, which is my only hope its anxiety as why wouldnt i have noticed if there truly was something wrong.

i am also now pregnant, and high risk (hypothyroidism), and terrified my heart wont cope or ill lose the baby due to it.

tldr: has anyone experienced palps when exerting themselves, EVERYTIME they walk somewhere? how do you cope?

thanks in advance!

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • Posted

    yes I have had that happen many times even when I’m doing the slightest thing. I’ve had that off anon for years so at this point I don’t get upset about it. I just let it happen and then it goes away eventually. In the past I would get all worked up and worried which would make it worse.

    One thing that does help is if you use controlled breathing for anxiety. It reduces the heart rate and settles it down. You can find that on YouTube.

    but if your doctor said it’s normal then try and relax. I think when you see the cardiologist he or she will say the same thing. That’s when you know you have to try to learn how to manage the anxiety. some counseling could help with that. Take care

    • Posted

      @jan34534 thank you Jan, really reassuring to here you experienced the same but have managed it. I saw the doctor again today and they recommended a few things to help my mental health (but nothing major unfortunatly), so will try from now until January to get a grips with this!

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