SKIPPED BEATS AND ANXIETY

i have had palpitations for 45 years and i find the more i concentrate on them the worse they are. if i,m doing sonething i still feel the odd ones but carry on regardless. i know its easier said than done!

You don't say how often you have these skipped beats so can't judge your condition relative to others who post here. Doctors can be dismissive which doesn't help as these symptoms cause many of us great problems.

The constant factors in those who post here tend to vary considerably, but the base ones seem to be anxiety, being overweight, caffeine, change in personal circumstances, pollution.

Of those anxiety certainly tops the list by a long way. It hasn't been easy the last 18 months and if in addition you have had a change in personal circumstances or put on a few pounds, the condition worsens and that brings on additional anxiety.

Dealing with the anxiety has got to be a priority so examine the reasons for it and then concentrate on dealing with the root causes. Would yoga help?

Hi,

I have a generalized health/heart anxiety and always think that something is wrong with my heart. I try to deal with the anxiety and fear but am not very successful. It seems that I always need someone to listen even though they can't make the palpitations go away. Doctor suggested that I exercise 30 minutes a day so I have started this past week. Now I read that the COVID vaccine can cause heart palpitations so now I am worried about that. Thank you for your response.

It's difficult to ignore them. I have had them for approximately 2 months just about every day and that's why I think something is wrong with my heart. I am starting to not want to leave the house. Have had stress test which was normal but probably showed skipped beats but doctor told me to exercise. Wtg for results of holter monitor. Take metoprolol for 20 plus years and that doesn't seem to help. Am at my wits end and so frightened all the time.

You are correct. The more I think about them the more I have. I live alone and that is some of the problem not having anyone to talk to and then having to bother people on this forum.

Rody

judging by your other posts you seem to be dismissive about the doctors belief that have substantial anxiety issues but reading your posts anxiety does seem a big factor for you..

I think it would be useful if you spent a few hours going through the many threads on this forum where you can see that some people have enormous numbers of ectopics every day year in year out and the reasons for them.

Bearing in mind that your posts seem to highlight your anxiety would it not be worth believing that it could actually really be a major cause of your problems and to spend say 3 months trying to deal with it, either by getting a new therapist if you are not happy with the one you are currently using, or go for a breathing relaxation course or one on yoga?

you will see several on line doctors mentioned who seem helpful. I am not recommending anyone as I have never used one and am not qualified to comment.

Hi Tony,

Thank you for your reply. I just tried a new therapist - only one visit- hope I like her and that she can relate. As you know the more skipped beats you get the more anxious you get and so forth and so on. Living along doesn't help. It just gives me more time to focus on them. Whenever I feel one I go to the blood pressure monitor and the irregular heartbeat symbol show up and then I freak out. I want to get the point that I can go out with friends and have fun without waiting for one of these to occur. Because when they do I panic and start the cycle. Do you really believe that anxiety can cause this ? My ecg and stress test show them but the doctor tells me to exercise 30 minutes day. Still wtg for holter results. Please don't feel the need to respond as I can become repetitive and a bother. It's just that I am frightened all day with these. I feel as though I can use a forum friend. Have a great day.

You strike me as being an anxious person and living alone doesn't help as you have time to dwell on matters.

Do you have any absorbing hobbies that could take your mind off things or some other way of keeping busy and thereby distract yourself from believing every skipped beat is your last one?

I dare say that if you look back at your history you might be able to find a variety of triggers which might be food, drink, or lifestyle related.

If you can identify those that would be a help. Hope you don't have a fitbit or other wearable watch as that will make you even more anxious.

I certainly think it worth checking out those online who offer relaxation, breathing courses or find a yoga teacher. What function does the therapist serve?