Stress Center Peer Support

Hi! I am 17 weeks pregnant with my first baby and for the past 5 days I've been very aware of my heartbeat. It's been beating fast and hard all day and is scaring me to death. I even wake up with it. I have suffered from General Anxiety Disorder for the past 3 years and was taking xanax (no more then 1 mg per day) and have stopped because of pregnancy. I have had these heart symptoms before but now it seems more constant. It scares me so much! Could I have a heart problem? I was checked by a cardiologist 2 years ago (echocardiogram, stress test, EKG's, 24-hour halter monitor) and all came out great other then just a fast heartbeat at times. Do you think I should go back to get tested again, just in case something has changed? Could this pregnancy cause heart problems? I'm 30 years old and weigh 132lbs at 5'10". I'm not much of an exerciser and always have great blood pressure and cholesterol readings. I don't know! It must be my anxiety but it's still terrifying. Has anyone else experienced this while pregnant? I just need some reassurance or advice on whether I should see the cardiologist for the same tests again? Sorry I just rambled on. I just wish I could just enjoy this pregnancy!

Hi Jenny,
I'm not a doctor or a health professional of any kind.
I was born with WPW, which is/was a life threatening atrial fibrillation, or a very fast heart beat, that would just come on without warning. It can be very hard to diagnose, unless you have an excellent doctor who can properly read your EKG.

A heart holster is great, but your heart has to race first for it to appear on the monitor.

This is what I know for sure...when you are pregnant, your blood becomes thicker, which does put slightly more pressure on your heart for it to properly do it's job. Pregnancy for me was considered high risk, and after 2 babies, I was told I couldn't get pregnant again, as it would be too much for my heart.

Heart arrhythmia's are not a problem with the heart, but a problem with the "wiring" around your heart. I had a few extra wires.

I'm giving you all of this information to help calm you. I believe that knowledge is power, so I don't want to add stress.

I recommend that you do see a cardiologist, and have another EKG reading. Ask him how he is able to tell that you don't have an arrhythmia from your tape. Most arrhythmia's will show up on the tape, even if you are not having an episode, but they can be very subtle.

Low cholesterol is great, but has nothing to do with an arrhythmia, and neither does a stress test.

This is probably all just a result of your blood being thicker, but I feel it is best to be cautious. Don't panic.

Ask questions so that you can feel secure and begin to relax.

XO

PS
Congratulations. I believe everything will be fine. It's normal to be aware of your heart when it is working a little harder to do it's job.

Thank you for responding. A couple things I left out: I have had several EKG's over the past 3 years as well. By the cardiologist and my gp. Every time it comes out great and every time my heart is racing like crazy because I'm always anxious when I go to the doctors. I was hoping I could trust both doctors but maybe I should get checked again? I don't know! That scares me! I also have Hashimotos (Thyroid problem) but my levels have never been off. Just recently my thyroid is off just a bit (hyper) but not enough for meds or anything. I hope it's not what you have. I'm sorry you have to deal with that. But at least you have had two children and that's wonderful. So do you think it could just be my anxiety as well?

I was ultimately fixed, after 4 heart ablations, so no worries about me.

I wouldn't "trust" a GP"S ability to diagnose a subtle heart arrhythmia, but I would trust a cardiologist.

One thing that stands out in my case is that I once went to "the top cardiologist" in NYC and he couldn't find the problem on my EKG.

Another cardiologist did. Someone not as well known. So....It never hurts to get a second opinion. (in your case a 4th opinion)

Can you tell me what your pulse is in 30 seconds? Just put your fingers on your wrist....

Remember, I'm not a doctor, or a medical professional, only someone who has lived this nightmare most of my life.....

Oh God! So how would I know who to trust. I guess I can always see another cardiologist but now I may not trust him either. Is it really that unusual to have a rapid and hard heartbeat just from anxiety or does it have to be what you have? My heartrate when it's up is 92 beats per minute.

Do you have anxiety disorder?

No, no...calm down.

I was just saying that second opinions can be a good thing. NO, of course you don't have to have what I have.
I was just simply responding to your 1st post about a rapid heart beat.

Is it 92 beats in one minute, or 30 seconds?

No, I don't.
But for me, Information always calms me down. I see that I have had an upsetting effect on you.

Shhh.....It is alright. Your blood is thicker, and your heart is doing what it is supposed to do. It is supposed to pump your blood all throughout your body.

You will be fine. Take deep breaths.

Sorry! I appreciate your advice. Yah if you don't have anxiety disorder it would be very hard for you to understand. I thought you may not have it because of the way you were responding but wasnt sure since you're responding on a anxiety forum. lol! Hopefully everything's alright. Sorry for the scared replies. Oh and my heart rate is 92 beats PER MINUTE. When I have a panic attack it goes to 130 bpm. That's only when in a panic though.
Thanks again!
xo