Back from the cardiologist

[Ceelos81]

So i went to see the cardio I’ve been seeing for my heart palpitations and again they are putting it off as anxiety. I had a full work up in March in the hospital (ekg-echocardiogram-bloodwork-chest x-ray and holter monitor) all came back normal “ besides pvcs pacs and (occasional) svt witch she’s says it all comes from anxiety. I find it soooooo hard to believe. She even told me to discontinue my medication of metoprolol starting tonight. Don’t you have to taper off of beta blockers??? She told me that I’m taking such a low dose (25mg twice a day) that I don’t have to taper off. Anybody have insight? So at the end she’s telling me to get my mind right.

[Jeff1943]

Palpitations mean different things to different people: to me it means "missed heart beats". Of course you don't actually miss a beat its just that the gap between beats isn't even.

Palpitations are a common symptom of anxiety disorder. I get them about 3 times a year but because I understand what they are and are no threat to my health I do not fear them and just carry on as normal.

If however they caused me fear then the fear causes prolongation of the over sensitivity of the nervous system. So what I'm saying is, if you accept them calmly knowing they are no threat to your wellbeing then they will soon cease. But if you stress and obsess and fear them they will continue to bother you.

You had a very thorough series of heart tests and if your palps were due to physical defects such as with the valves etc this would certainly have shown up, make no mistake about that. So don't go saying to yourself "they must have missed something" because they haven't and that false belief will just cause you more stress and fear which feeds the sensitivity of your nervous system.

They will pass in their own good time, you can speed their departure by accepting them for the time being, they can do your heart no physical harm. If you ever saw the heart muscle you would know why, it is the largest and strongest muscle in your body.

I hope you are free of them soon.

[Ceelos81 in reply to Jeff1943]

Thank you very much you game me a great amount of reassurance. You said everything she said!!

[Paxygirl in reply to Jeff1943]

Jeff I think a lot of people dealing with Health Anxiety needs to reread your reply over and over. Thank you for your reassurance.

[WayOutThere]

No, she isn't telling you to "get your mind right". She is telling you that your heart is in fine functioning condition, that the medication is not needed. Trust your cardiologist. Yes, stress is a MAJOR contributor to PVC's, as well as caffeine. I am a retired nurse specializing in cardiology. The mind is just as significant a contributor to our body's condition. You need not taper off this medication. Don't be offended that she implies that you need to work on the stressors in your life. It is not an insult. I wish more people would listen to their doctors and not be suspicious from the beginning by researching on the internet and asking friends for advice. Physicians have been trained for many years to practice their profession. Work on the stressors in your life.

[NeuronerdDoaty]

I would get a second opinion. Yes you should wean off metoprolol. No you shouldn’t come off of it. No matter what is the cause of SVT you have it now. You need meds and an ECG at least yearly. SVT is an irregular electrical signal. A node that’s not supposed to be helping your heart beat has just decided ‘oh hey I want that job’ and starts doing it even though you have nodes for this on the job already. Do not let this go. Please go get a second opinion. Nothing gets better as we age. Sorry. I don’t worry about the pvc’s either. Again, please get a second opinion.

I’d like to know you’re doing okay.

Doaty

[WayOutThere in reply to NeuronerdDoaty]

A second is always a good idea.

[WayOutThere in reply to WayOutThere]

opinion, that is

[Want2BHappy3]

Why are you Not believing the heart doctor? I've read from many people on this site going through the same thing it being the result of anxiety. Go get a second and third opinion. You know depending on your insurance, they might make you pay for it? Especially if different doctors are coming to the same conclusion? Insurance might view you as being a hypocontriac, (not sure of the spelling). Good luck

[Lin1944]

Hi, I get palpitations when anxious and can last for 6 weeks and then once anxiety goes the palps stop. I have never had any tests to see if my heart is ok because I know palps are one of the most common symptoms of Anxiety. Everything Jeff said in his reply is correct. Take care x

[1947treble]

I am not familiar with those medicines. If you are unsettled about it or can't trust that doctor, I suggest getting a second opinion just for the sake of relief from anxiety. Itd be awful to worry about it excessively until your next appointment or treatment decision.