Stress Center Peer Support

I've had preety bad anxiety for about 9 years. I've gotten a little better thanks to this program. However, recently I've been really nervous about my heart and it's scaring the heck out of me. I notice that sometimes I get short of breathe and my heart flutters a little bit. I'm only 25. I've gone to doctors before for shortness of breathe and they've done asthma tests on me and such and said it was anxiety. Ok. But, now my hear tis fluttering and I get so nervous. I get dizzy sometimes too, it's hard to tell whether it's from being anxious or not too. If I go to my Primary Care Doctor for this heart fluttering and shortness of breathe, what will she do? I'm so afraid of doctors and such. I have a physical coming out next month, so I'm going to wait and bring it up to her then. Does or has anyone else have had this problem? Did you go to the doctor? What did the doctor do? I just thought I'd share it with someone, I haven't told anyone..I'm too afraid. Thanks in advance for any feedback, it is much appreciated!

hello! - heart pounding/fluttering and out of breath ? ? - oh, you're talking to an experienced person here - me! - i have suffered from anxiety, (specifically, public speaking phobia), for decades ! - typically, with any possible speaking situation, i would just be terrified, and go into panic mode: my heart would pound out of my chest and my breathing would be short and interrupted by this FEAR ! - i'm on lesson 12 now and have joined a club, (toastmasters), to practice "destroying, once and for all, i hope!), these panic symptoms ! - i'ved discovered that I NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND TAKE CONTROL OF ME NOW ! ! (instead of other people, things, situations, my negative thoughts & feelings CONTROL ME ! ! ) - if the doctors say there is nothing obviously physically wrong with you, then maybe your heart palpitations and difficult breathing are reactions to your emotional fears, discomforts, scary thoughts, etc. ! - we are learning now that WE CAN CHOOSE TO CONTROL THESE REACTIONS/SYMPTOMS - try continual, positive self talk, out loud and silently ! - challenge those negatives, get rid of them, and focus on positive, productive thoughts ! - also, if you're able, get outside or to a gym daily, for physical exercise - this really, really is helpful to "clear the cob webs" and help us to move forward with our challenges ! - you're not alone - that's for sure! - i think we would all be very surprised to discover that many, famous, influential people have in the past, or still do deal with exactly what we're dealing with ! - keep the faith, follow the program, and never, never give up ! - you can do it ! - mjcreate

mjcreate-

thanks so much for responding! I get these shortness of the breathe and palpitations even when I'm not anxious really. I sit down to read a book and bam my heart will flutter. I try to get out and go for a walk at least 4 times a week and I'm joining the gym next month cause it will be too cold here for me to go out and walk (I'm a wuss when it comes to cold weather!) My heart beats fast and I get short of breathe when I'm anxious, but I know that was just anxiety. Do you think maybe it's just generalized anxiety that might be causing these flutters? Also, have you gotten your heart checked out? What do they do to check it out?

Hi aliengal,

I have had these heart palpitations (flutters) for years and years. People sometimes refer to them as "skipped beats" (they aren't really). They are not harmful and are most likely PVC's or PAC's... not harmful in any way. However, they sure can be annoying and can drive you up a wall (at least they do me).

Sometimes mine thump so badly that I can "feel" them on the back of a chair. Almost everyone has them although most people don't even feel them. We anxious people tend to feel them and then focus on them which, in turn, causes more anxiety and more palpitations... a vicious circle. Anxiety and stress make them worse because of the adrenaline pushed out during anxious episodes.

Bring this up with your family doctor. He will listen to your heart and may or may not hear one... depending if you have a flutter at the time he is listening.

He may want to run some tests on you through referral to a cardiologist, especially since you have had no heart-related tests done before. The cardiologist will elect do these things (some or all):
- blood tests
- chest x-ray
- EKG (electrocardiogram)
- stress test (regular or echo)
- echocardiogram
- holter monitor
- blood pressure monitor
- event monitor

Now, just because I listed all these doesn't mean you will have these done. And, every one of these tests is very easy and takes very little time. There is no hospital stay required. The three monitor tests I listed are simply a device they get you to wear for 24 or 48 hours to get a reading of your heart over that period of time.

I have had all of these, some many times over the years and they have all come back great. It gave me a great sense of reassurance that my heart is okay even though I have these palpitations constantly almost every day which drives me up the proverbial wall.

Meanwhile, try and reduce your stress and anxiety levels, try relaxation or meditation, exercise sometimes helps as well. These palpitations tend to occur when anxious or stressed, after meals, when watching fast-paced shows or movies, when playing an fast-paced game online or live. BUT, they can come on at any time for any reason.

Like I mentioned they are most likely just PVC's or PAC's and are not harmful in any way. However, just for your peace of mind, I would mention this to your doctor and get them checked out.

Good luck and R E L A X!

Flyer99,

Thank you so much for responding! I truly appreciate it. All the information you gave me was very helpful and has eased my mind quite a bit. I'm always worried about my health and I seem to be sick a lot-colds etc. I do everything I can to stay healthy. I am going to talk to my doctor when I go for my physical next month. I'm glad someone else has dealt with this too. Thanks again!

You are very welcome Aliengal. It's tough to go through especially when we tend to have HA (Health Anxiety). Please keep us informed as to how you are doing. Good luck and take care!