Can anxiety attacks be a cause of increased heart rate?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have been having increased heartbeats for 12 weeks now, and yesterday it went up to 150 bpm, and I had to take an emergency ECG. Can you tell me if this ECG reading is fine? Is anxiety causing this condition, or is there anything else? Last night it was beating irregularly. I am terrified I cannot live like this any longer. My doctor says it is anxiety and put me on a tablet of Propranolol 80 mg once daily. But my heart still beats fast. It is terrifying when it happens as I feel like I will have a stroke or heart attack. Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

You have not uploaded any ECG, or it may be due to some technical issue. For raised heart rates, please take tests like hemoglobin and thyroid function (Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), and then triiodothyronine (T3)). In addition, an ECG (electrocardiogram) can be performed to rule out any arrhythmias. It might be due to anxiety also. If you get panicked or anxious easily, then consult a psychiatrist.

If tablet Propranolol is not controlling your symptoms, you can switch to a tablet Bisoprolol (Bisoprolol fumarate) 2.5 mg once daily. In case you start this, then stop taking the tablet Propranolol. Consult your doctor and take the medicines accordingly.

I hope that you get your answer.

Please let me know if you need any help.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

The ECG shows (attachment removed to protect patient's identity) sinustachycardia with some nonspecific ST (the flat, isoelectric section of the ECG between the end of the S wave (the J point) and the beginning of the T wave) changes. It can be secondary to increased heart rate, but it needs further investigation. I recommend that you start taking the medication I prescribed. And do a 2D (two dimensional) echocardiogram (echo) and TMT (a treadmill test).

For this, you may need to consult a cardiologist (specialists specializing in treating the cardiovascular system). If present, we can rule out any heart condition after these two tests.

I hope that you get your answer.

Please let me know if you need any help.

Thank you.

Answer 3

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Good that your echocardiograms (echo) and stress test reports were normal. Your doctor may prescribe statins (a group of medicines that can help lower the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood) after reviewing your results, depending on your lipid profile.

TMT (a treadmill test) test you can do yearly. A psychologist or a psychiatrist consultation is much needed, and you will improve through behavioral and cognitive therapy. I believe you suffer from panic attacks.

Please do not be concerned. Nothing will happen to you, and you will improve with counseling, behavioral, and cognitive treatment, and, if necessary, medications from their side.

I hope that you get your answer.

Please let me know if you need any help.

Thank you.

Answer 4

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

As you mentioned, echo (echocardiogram) and TMT (a treadmill test) were normal then. So it is idiopathic sinus tachycardia (a regular cardiac rhythm in which the heart beats faster than normal). You can, however, repeat TMT if necessary.

If possible, ask your doctor to switch tablet Propranolol (Inderal) to another beta-blocker (medications that reduce blood pressure) example, tablet Bisoprolol (Zebeta). Psychiatric medicines like tablet Clonazepam (Klonopin) 0.25 mg may help. This fear thing has to be treated. Please consult a psychiatrist with your cardiac reports for the same.

I hope that you get your answer.

Please let me know if you need any help.

Thank you.