heart palpitations and anxiety

[birdlover18]

Hi guys,

i recently found out I have a more common type of arrhythmia, PVCs. I had a really bad bout of them where I could feel my heart skipping and pounding in my chest for 12 hours! I went to the hospital and had a full work up, they chalked the PVCs up to a combination of my low potassium (triggered by my asthma medication) and stress. They assured me PVCs are very common and almost never dangerous. It came to my attention in past emergency EKGs that they have seen PVCs and not told me...?! I have since gotten set up with a cardiologist and will be having an echo and Holter monitor in a few weeks.

Ever since I found out I have this apparent history of PVCs, my anxiety has been through the roof. I feel too scared to do anything like drink a cup of tea or have a drink with dinner or even exercise because I fear my heart will short circuit and stop working all together. I have a Fitbit and have become obsessed with checking my heart rate.

What can I do to stop worrying? Do any of you have PVCs or any type of arrhythmia? How do I deal with this until I see my Cardiologist and get my tests done, how do I not worry? I feel like obviously if I’ve made it to 23 and lived my life and never had an issue it can’t be too serious, but I wonder why I had that bad bout of them for 12 hours and if something is going seriously wrong inside me.

[b1b1b1]

Remove your fitbit and don't look at it anymore. Also, don't google. Constantly checking symptoms will only make you more anxious. I understand that this is easy to say, but difficult to actually do - but try.

[Determined1234]

I have them too. My cardiologist shared she has them and they aren’t dangerous. A lot of women have them

[Eagledove]

I’ve had PVCs on and off for many years. It started in my early 30’s; I’m now 58. I just ignore them; they’re harmless. I get them when stressed for a period of time, if my anxiety is bad (like right now), or from being overly tired.