Heart Rate Variations?

[SoccerDad]

I have been dealing with Anxiety Disorder for several months now. I'm on .5 mg Clonazepam (1/2 tablet twice a day) with .25 mg Xanax as "backup". I also take Metoprolol and Lotrel for high blood pressure. I've been through all the cardiac tests (EKG's, 24-hour holter monitor, chest x-rays, blood work, stress test, etc.), all with negative results (no problems). Here's my question, though. Every once in a while, as I lay down to go to sleep, I fell some fluttering sensations in my chest, which I discovered (by taking my pulse) were actually variations in my heart rate (speed up/slow down) as I take a deep breath. Anyone ever notice this? It only hapens sometimes, and it seems to be anxiety related, as I only seem to notice it when I feel a little nervous. I don't feel anything bad (dizziness or pain) when it happens, but it kind of freaks me out a little, and those of us with anxiety don't need much to get us going. Anyone?

[SRMom]

Hi SoccerDad:

You are describing palpitations. I get them too. They are generally harmless (especially since your heart has been checked out) and can be brought on by stress. If they bother you too much, you can ask your doctor if your blood pressure meds might need to be adjusted. Your Metropolol should help reduce the number and frequency of palpitations, along with helping to lower your blood pressure. I take Atenolol, which is similar to Metropolol and it helped reduce my palps tremendously. Antianxiety medications can help too. If I'm having too many palps in a day due to stress, I might take half a Xanax and feel much better. Good luck

[Leela_C]

SoccerDad - I, too, have variations in my heart rate. I am on bisoprolol (a beta blocker) for sinus tachycardia and ever since I started taking those I have had these variations. My cardiologist told me that he could hook everyone in his office up to a monitor and get heart rate variations, but for some reason, I just notice mine. Beta blockers may also cause sinus arryhthmia (nothing to worry about, he says). I have had all of the heart tests and am trying to trust my cardiologist when he says I shouldn't worry about this. Of course I do worry, but I guess I'm OK. Actually, you are supposed to have variations when you breathe - when you inhale your heart rate should speed up, and when you exhale it should go down. My variations are constant, regardless of what I am doing with my breathing. If you are only experiencing these variations during normal respiration, then it is probably normal. Obviously you should ask your doctor about this since I am only telling you what my experience has been. Take care!