I am a 29 year old female who has been having heart palps for sometime now. I have seen a cariologist who has done bloodwork, echo, stresstest, monitors. All of which has come back showing some pvc and pac. But, the doc says I am fine. So, in the quest to get healthy (obsessed about my heart) I started eating right, exercising and I lost 55 pounds. I look much better but I still have palps often and I am overwhelmed by everthing!! My thoughts take over my life and I am constantly worried about health, money, my children etc... physically, I think I am fine, it is the mental part I am worried about!!!

my question is this, could I have anxiety/panic problems that make me thing I have heart problems. I am at my wits end with feeling like this, and I really think I need some kind of help. I just don't want to sound crazy.

thank you for your advice/opinions,
cajunmommy

You bet!!!! Anxiety/panic can mimic heart problems like you wouldn't believe! The thing about anxiety is that you can get it out of no where. Another words, you can have anxiety over something that happened weeks,months, even years ago! That's what happened to my dad. All of a sudden, he's in the ER 3 times in 2 months because he thought it was heart problems, had all these tests run and all came out fine. My dad went through a tramatic experience years ago which at the time it was stressful, but he didn't realize just how stressful it really was until just recently. He's on meds now which is really unusual for my dad. If you were to know my dad, he's a tough cookie when it comes to things but now, he's older and it's different.

I went through a silmilar situation and realized that I had a panic attack come out of no where. I wasn't even stressed out! It took me awhile to realize it was panic/anxiety after numerous doctors visits. I hope this gives you some insight but if all of your tests came out fine, you're probably looking at anxiety. Also, we women have hormonal changes which also brings on anxiety. It could also be a vitamin deficiency. Please try to settle yourself down. When you feel stressed, try to focus on the kids or help someone else and get your mind off of what is making you stressed out. Good luck and keep us posted!!! :wave:

I've been going through a bad bout of anxiety recently. I have had it on and off for 10 years ( I get it really bad, then it completely goes away for years, then comes back ) What I have learned is that while I focus on the physical symptoms (chest pain, palpitations, stomach upset, weight loss) after several weeks of this building I have a complete breakdown and start looking inward. Now I don't know if this would apply in your situatuion, but for me I've realized that I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. I have picked up an extra day at work, raising 3 kids, and everyday stresses in life have manifested themselves into these physical symptoms, and instead of addressing this, I have kept telling my self that everybody does these things and I shouldn't feel overwhelmed, yet I was. So to make a long story short, I have given myself permission to feel overwhelmed, stop working that extra day, and let the husband and kids know that I need extra help. I came home today and decided instead of cleaning the house I was taking a nap, and it was the best thing I could have done for myself. I think we think these attacks come out of nowhere, but if we take a close look we can see they slowly manifest themselves into physical symptoms, because we are avioding dealing with the real issues, because it is easier to deal with the physical attack as opposed to the emotional side. For me admitting to my Boss that the extra day was to much was harder than the panic I was going through everynight.

I don't know if this helps, but this is how I've dealt with it...

Verucah

P.S. I just got emailed back from my boss. I'm dropping the extra day, I feel better already, and have told myself it is o.k. not to be superwoman....

Thanks for the replies,

I have been thinking for asking my doc for meds. Anyone have any experience with meds for anxiety that leads to panic attacks. I really think that my palps are from this. I have been doing research and I think I will try paxil. Anyone taking this??

Thanks again for the help!!