I'm getting really scared... - Heart Disorders Message Board

Leela_C · 03-13-2007, 07:44 AM

I haven't had a cigarette since Sunday night. I know, yeah me, good job, blah blah blah whatever. But what I was afraid of is happening...my heart rate is very slow again. It barely gets above 60 - even when walking around. Usually in the mornings my heart rate is pretty high and this morning it barely got above 60 when I took a shower (my heart rate is usually the highest while in the shower). As I sit here and type this right now it is 52.

I went to the gym last night. I was on the treadmill at a speed of 3.5 and had to incline between 6 and 7 just to get my heart rate to 125. (I wear a polar monitor, so I know what my heart rate was.) Then when I was done, the machine aborted the cool down because my heart rate came back down so fast. As soon as I sat down in the car it was 60 again.

I didn't get any sleep last night because I kept waking up because I thought my heart was stopping. Maybe it was, I don't know. I'm obviously obsessing over this. I can't help it though. I feel absolutely miserable.

The last time I tried to see my doctor about this, my heart rate got really fast because I have horrible "white coat syndrome". So then they see that and I guess they think I'm lying about the slow heart rate. So there isn't much point in calling my doctor about this. I don't know what to do anymore. I'm scared that I'm just going to go to sleep one night and my heart will stop and I won't wake up.

So I guess my questions are:

1. Is there any way that anxiety can cause a slow heart rate? I do have problems with anxiety that usually cause me tachycardia, but not lately. Since I am obsessing over this, is there any way that my mind could be causing my heart to slow so much?

2. What are the chances of my heart slowing down so much that it stops? Like while I'm sleeping.

I'm getting so scared. I have a physical scheduled for Friday, so I will mention this to my doctor then, but I know my heart rate will be fast then because of "white coat". I don't know what else I can do. My cardiologist keeps telling me that my heart is fine, and he treats me like I'm totally crazy. I know I'm not crazy. The doctors won't listen to me, though. I am absolutely miserable. I'm afraid to do anything anymore...especially sleep. I know it isn't good to worry about this, but like I said, I can't help it!

Thanks in advance for any comments, advice, etc.

puckluvr · 03-13-2007, 01:58 PM

60 though a tad low is not that bad .
Are you on any type meds to help with the tach (rapid heart rate )?
Those will definitely slow down the heart rate .

Though I do not suggest making it a way of life , I would recommend Zanax to take in times of extreme stress .

boxerlover227 · 03-13-2007, 02:22 PM

Hi Leela~

I saw that you posted here today so I figured I would reply on this post. I always thought that a heart rate of less than 50 beats per minute is usually considered a slow heart rate (bradycardia). I know that Well-trained athletes often have slow heart rates, but this is not normal for most people. What concerns me is that all along you have had fast heart rates, went on a beta blocker, then tried quitting smoking, went off the beta blocker and remained with a very slow heart rate after you went off the beta blocker. Is that correct? I know all your Cardio test came back normal BUT what did the cardiologist say about the heart rate being so slow. I mean you never "normally" ran such a slow heart rate. Now all of a sudden you are. I would call them and tell them your concerns. Who cares if they think your crazy you need answers and the longer you are not getting them the more anxious and worried you are becoming. You are scared to go to sleep, that is horrible!!

Leela_C · 03-13-2007, 02:39 PM

Hey boxer. I have told them my concerns plenty of times. But every time I'm in a doctor's office my pulse is really fast. I guess they think I'm lying, I don't know. I just don't know what to do anymore. I guess I should stop worrying about it so much. If my heart stops, I won't know it, right? I'm just so sick of all of this! I don't know what to do anymore. I agree with everything you said. It was fast, and now it is slow. I tried to ask some of the ex-smokers on the smoking cessation board if anyone had such a heart rate decrease when they quit, and most of them were just mean to me and no one had that problem. So I don't know what to do. I really don't want to smoke any more, but I can't stand my pulse rate this low!!!

Puckluvr - I am not on any medication that would slow my heart rate. I used to take a beta blocker for tachycardia and then my heart rate started slowing down so I stopped it. And I have Xanax - but right now I'm scared to take it because it might lower my heart rate even more.

I give up!

boxerlover227 · 03-14-2007, 10:34 AM

Hi Leela
How are you feeling today?