Racing heart--Pls help. - Anxiety Message Board

sico · 07-05-2007, 08:34 AM

I have had episodes of tachycardia a few times due to anxiety and they last for 10 to 30 mins. At one time a doctor gave me a nitro tablet under my tongue which converted it immediatly to normal. I have now heard that as it is a dilator. it can INCREASE the the rate to deadly fibrilation.
My most recent episode lasted for 8 hrs. and when I saw the doctor take out those shock paddles, I got such a fright my heart converted to normal before he could shock me.
I am at my wits end worrying about my next episode. Does someone know of other methods?

brysonav · 07-05-2007, 05:13 PM

I dont know of any sure-fire way to get it back to normal immediately. My father has this same thing and his doctor prescribed a beta-blocker, metroprolol and this helps. Maybe ask doc for something similar and try some relaxation techniques. I read on the net that you can control your heart rate by using breathing techniques. I havent had the racing heart symptom although I have suffered heart palps for long stretches of time. Hang in there man.

MrsPM · 07-05-2007, 06:06 PM

I get the racing heart thing from time to time. I am on a beta blocker as needed and it helps a lot. A few things that have helped me for immediate relief are changing my position, coughing, and taking deep breaths focusing on breathing out.

sico · 07-06-2007, 11:42 AM

I am on beta bloka 40 mg and this does not seem to help with tachycardia. I have tried all the techniques like breathing, carotid artery massage and poop simulation. Nothing helps. I am at the stage where if my heart wants to stop then it must just stop. I am too scared to have those paddles put on me.

juanta · 07-06-2007, 11:32 PM

I agree. Paddles sound like the last resort. I get palps often before I awake in the am. I take a beta blocker, but if it's stress or anxiety that causes them I take an anti-anxiety pill. The pills work really fast. Before I got onto them, I was racing to the ER in the middle of the night and embarassed when I arrived and they disappeared.