Heart Illness

Juno · Post by **Juno** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 6:40 am

Does anyone know what the connection is between heart problems and anxiety? I have mitral valve prolapse and I have been told it's connected to anxiety, but I've always wondered if mvp causes anxiety or if it's the other way around. Is there a different way of treating anxiety with mvp? Thanks.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:18 am

This is a good question, and one I would like to know the answer to, also. About two minutes before I went on-line to this site, my heart started to "flutter", and it kept up for about 10 seconds. This has not happened before (I have had only single flutters, occasionally), and I started to get really anxious. I have been to a Dr. about this, and was told I have mitral valve prolapse, and that it was nothing to be worried about. And I haven't been worried, until just a few minutes ago, when the above happened. Can anyone shed light on mitral valve prolapse and anxiety? I was told by the Dr. that I was probably born this way.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:37 am

I don't have mitral valve prolapse, but I do have PAC's or premature atrial contractions. The symptom for that is the heart flutters that you experienced. Like you, it usually happens just for a beat or two, but sometimes it lasts longer, which is very anxiety producing and scary. You try not to worry about your health, but when something like that happens, it makes it difficult not to worry. The doctor also told me nothing to worry about, a completely benign condition, just stay away from caffiene. Still, when it happens, it's very upsetting. I know when I'm feeling anxious the palpatations get worse (longer and more frequent). I try not to worry but it's very difficult. I will be on the online chat tonight if anyone wants to talk about it.

Be-Positive · Post by **Be-Positive** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:01 am

I know the fluttering feeling. It's really nothing to worry about with mvp, as my doctor told me. There are medications to regulate it, if it persists constantly, like in my case. I'm on a small dose of Toprol XL. That works very well.
Another thought came up as I was reading this. Is there another way of treating anxiety when it is connected to heart problems and when it is connected to trauma? I get confused about post-traumatic stress and anxiety and how they are different. If anyone can inform me that would be great.

miraclegirl · Post by **miraclegirl** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 2:54 pm

I take 25mg of Toprol XL as well, but my Dr. prescribed it for my anxiety attacks and not my heart. I take it only as needed, or when I'm feeling really anxious. It helps take the edge off.

wassup · Post by **wassup** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 3:19 pm

I am not sure of you doctor's prescribing of Toprol XL on a prn (as needed) basis. Normally, and according to any Cardiologist, Toprol XL, which is a beta blocker, shoud not be started and stopped, i.e. prn. These are very powerful cardiac drugs and are used to control blood pressure and PVC's and PAC's. I would seriously check with your prescribing physician. I am curious, too, to know why they'd prescribe this type of drug prn?

I take Toprol XL to control the PVC's and it works very well. When I do not take it, my heart lets me know it! Ordinarily, one would use the Toprol XL to prevent before symptoms, not after.

Bear in mind, I am not a physician, but I am an RN, and I have never seen Toprol XL prescribed on an "as needed" basis.

kappaman · Post by **kappaman** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:57 pm

SeeBee,

When your doctor prescribed the Toprol XL for your PVC's, was your blood pressure elevated? I have PAC's, but my blood pressure is nice and low. Never had a problem with blood pressure. Since I've had anxiety, my PAC's have gotten worse. I try to relax when it happens, but it's very difficult. My cardiologist said it was a benign condition 5 years ago when I was diagnosed, but it doesn't feel benign. Do you think I could benefit from the Toprol XL?? Thanks for any reply.

rose_thorn98 · Post by **rose_thorn98** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 3:52 am

Dolphinlover,

Again, I am not a physician and am in no way diagnosing or suggesting a treatment here.

I do not have hypertension, but do have anxiety related tachycardia and PVC's. I am on the lowest possible dosage of 12.5mg of the Toprol XL daily.

It is a very common occurrance for everyone to experience PAC's and/or PVC's, but due to our anxiety and/or panic, we are more apt to recognize them and freak out when we experience them. So long as you aren't having them continuously, it is my understanding that they pose no threat. By that I mean, like several times an hour, or a continuous run of them.

It would be wise to seek advice from your physicians on this, as I do not want to misinform. But, I do know that any cardiac related drug, i.e. beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, etc. are not, as I have ever seen prescribed on a prn basis.

Good luck to you all!

Dazed and Confused · Post by **Dazed and Confused** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 1:20 pm

Hi SeeBee, the reason my doctor prescribed the Toprol XL was because she had originally prescribed Lexapro to me and I freaked out on it (granted I only took the Lexapro once.) I wanted something that wasn't going to make me feel funny in the head (MAOIs/benzos) or alter my personality, sex drive, etc. All I wanted was something that would take the edge off when I started feeling panicky. I have alcohalic parents and told her I didn't want to be taking anything that might become addictive or have long term side effects. She suggested Toprol on a PRN basis. I take it about once every 10 days or so, so my body doesn't ever really get used to it, or rely on it. My doctor did tell me that if I were going to take it more frequently that I would have to take it every day and slowly wean myself off it. So far though, I have been lucky and am only taking it a few times each month. I haven't experienced any side effects from this medication. All it does is take the edge off when I feel like I can't cope with things.

Besides treating high blood pressure, etc., I've heard this medication is also prescribed to treat migraines. Thoughts?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 1:32 pm

Hi there...

I can relate to the Lexapro ordeal! I was just taken off after only 7 days at 2.5mg/day! It made me so much more anxious, I just couldn't deal with it! Every waking moment, my jaws were clenched tightly, terrible headache, inner nervousness much worse than normal...on and on! I hate it, as I really need something besides the Xanax.

One thing about benzos for thought! Just as a hypertensive patient takes meds to control the high blood pressure, diabetic takes meds to control blood sugar, etc., WE as anxiety and panic sufferers also need meds to keep our issues at bay. Many need to adjust their perspective on this class of drugs. WE have a disorder that requires medication to keep us regulated as with any other disease/disorder. I expressed the thought of addiction to my doctors on numerous occasions, and this is the explanation I've gotten from each of them. So yes, I do take 1-2mg of Xanax a day to keep my anxiety and panic under control, because MY BODY needs it...

Regarding the Toprol. Yes, it is commonly also given to migraine sufferers, as a preventative measure primarily. Therefore, the sufferer would take it EVERYDAY to prevent the migraines. About the prn usage for your anxiety, I just have never heard/seen it prescribed in this manner. I am not saying it isn't done, or shouldn't be done, but knowing the effect of the drug on the body, I am of the opinion (bearing in mind, I am not a physician), that this is a drug that should not be started and stopped. I could very well be wrong in my thinking. You may not have high blood pressure or tachycardia, but that is what Toprol's primary use is for. Even if you do not have hypertension, it is going to lower your blood pressure... and the medicinal effects of the fluctuation in your blood pressure, to me, isn't a good thing. I have worked in the Primary Care environment for 20 years, and though Toprol XL isn't that old, in the time it has been around, I've never seen one of our docs prescribe it on an "as needed" basis. Again, that is not to say that others wouldn't?

Best of luck to you!