Heart Palpitations Lately

[Beer]

I was diagnosed with a panic disorder in high school 7 or so years ago and would have the normal symptoms of rapid heart rate, heavy breathing ect ect.. it went away so it seemed in college, except for a random attack here and there once in a blue moon.. mostly during times where I had to speak in front of the class..

Anyways, my father passed away at the end of September and ever since then I've been having daily attacks of rapid heart rate, not being able to catch my breath, ect.. on a daily basis, but the past 2-3 weeks especially I've been having heart palpitations on a daily basis whenever my heart rate increases as well as feeling like I'm going to faint.. my blood pressure was normally 110% perfect and ever since he passed away it's been at pre-hypertention range and higher.

The thing I was wondering about though is.. I don't really feel the typical anxiety or panic that normally comes before the symptoms (rapid heart rate and palps) I just generally feel run down and extreme depression.. so could this all still be related to the panic disorder? Him passing away was an extreme shock since it was out of no where and he was my best friend.. I haven't felt right ever since.

After I take my medication, the palps and rapid heart rate stop, so I was thinking it could still be related to the panic disorder even though I don't feel the normal pre-symptom panic.. any thoughts?

Sorry this post was so long, it's just that constant heart palpitations are rather scary. I have an appointment for my doctor soon, but just wanted to hear some input before then.

And no I haven't touched caffeine or other stims for months now.

Thanks in advance for any input :awesomewo

[stbizzle]

I feel this way sometimes my heartbeat changes, my breathing becomes for difficult. I just thought i was always anixiety. It happens more times than not if I'd been out drinking the night before. Let me know what you find out.

[*The Juddman*]

First of all, i'm really sorry to hear about your Dad...i can't imagine how much of a shock that would be, and what it would take to go through it.

I know heart palps can be kinda scary, i have had them before too. Not so much from anxiety, I just tend to get an increased heart rate and racing thoughts, dizzyness, etc. But a while back I was drinking too much coffee and using stimulants so I got them, very weird feeling. I went to the doc about it, and he said it was a normal reaction to overstimulating the CNS, and to cut back on the coffee.

Anyways, I know heart palps are a common symptom for panic attacks...and this kind of stress you're going through is absolutely something that would trigger it. I have always noticed my anxiety is never the same, always comes in different ways...so I tend to think it might be some other medical problem, but it generally never is. I think its probably the same for you...its probably the stress of the situation coming out in the form of anxiety and panic, which leads to the heart palps.

[D-G]

Sorry for your loss...I have had the same and was on Xanax for a while....I would be fine al day, then when I would sit down in the evening.....My heart would race....then my mind would follow...eventially they went away. They are almost non existant...but I still am not the same as before I had them....Give it some time...and gets some meds if you need them....it'll get better.

[Beer]

Thanks for the replies guys.. I'm definitely thinking that it's some form of anxiety and panic coming out in a different way like Judd said, but I'm still going to check with my doctor to make sure it's nothing serious.

And yeah Damion, I take Xanax whenever I do have an attack and the heart rate slows down and the fluttering goes away, but Xanax and other Benzo's scare the shit out of me.

[BlueThunder]

The best answer is too see a specialist. Good luck.

[D-G]

Originally Posted by Beer

Xanax and other Benzo's scare the shit out of me.

Yep...you got to be very careful with them, they are highly addictive...I only use them when I really need them, or to fly.