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Aware of heart beat
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MedHelp Member's Question

Aware of heart beat

by Jean27, Aug 12, 2001 12:00AM
I have a problem that I could use  some help with. I find that I am always aware of my heart beat. This started after having dental surgery April 1998 after 7 shots of novacaine my heart started to race they told me I was just nervous. I found out later that the shot has adrenaline which probably caused the  racing. Anyway then I started having attacks in September 1998 through March 1999 when I had a really bad episode in my car I was told was an anxiety attack. My heart was racing, I couldnt think straight by the time I got home I was fine just shaking and upset. So I went to the Cardiologist I had 2 echos done, holter, 30 day event monitor. I was told I was fine they only found sinus tach. But they did find an elongated mitral valve without prolapse with trace regurgitation. Ever since hearing that I can't help but think that means that I have something wrong with my heart. The Dr. said that wouldn't cause racing but I have read on line that MVP will cause racing and anxiety, even though they said I didnt have MVP I keep fearing that I do have it and they missed it.I have becme very scared of doing anything that makes your heart fast. I am always checking my pulse to make sure that its not fast. My problem is I dont know if I feel everything my heart does because  I'm always thinking about it or is it from the trace regurgitation problem that causes these feelings and then I notice it. Im very confused & could use some advice its ruiung my life. Im terrified that my heart will race when Im out alone so I avoid things. Also its fast when I wake up or walk up stairs.Thanks
Doctor's Answer

by CCF-M.D.-CRC, Aug 12, 2001 12:00AM
Dear Jmcky,

I have actually heard this complaint before of a racing heart rate some time after a novacaine shot but I don't have a good explanation.  Epinephrine (adrenaline) has a very short half life and is gone from the body in a matter of hours.  I guess you can take comfort that you are not alone in this.  There are medications that can help such as beta-blockers and serotonin reuptake inhibitors.  I would ask your doctor about these medications in your case.
Member Comments (19)

by Jean27, Aug 13, 2001 12:00AM
Dear Dr,

I am a little confused from that response it didnt seem  to answer any of the concerns I wrote about. I know that the novacaine will do that to you but as far as still having the episodes of a racing heart 3 years later do you know if an elongated valve without prolapse but with trace regurgitation could be the cause? My cardiologist seems to think that this is a harmless thing that will not produce symptoms but I still have these attacks and it is not inappropriate sinus tach. I really could use some advice on this. Some days it will feel like my hearts racing but if I take my pulse its only 88 so I dont get it.  Hope to hear from you again. Thank you Jean

by jan, Aug 13, 2001 12:00AM
To: jmcky29
Dear Jean,

Try to relax. I have mild MVP with mild regurgitation and mild tricuspid regurg., Inappropriate sinus tachy. and neurocardiogenic syncope. Even with all this my heart has been declared healthy and I believe it is.

I was told when it feels like your heart is racing, but it's not, it is prob. anxiety. It sounds like you have a bit of anxiety going on. You should exercise, it is good for stress and I actually feel better when I exercise. Your heart naturally is faster when you first get up and going upstairs, too. Stop taking your pulse it is only going to keep you in your cycle of anxiety. You had the event monitor and the echos, relax. I hope I have been of some help and comfort to you.

by DSTEPHENS, Aug 13, 2001 12:00AM
To: jmcky29
JEAN,  

     I CAN TELL YOU ONLY FROM EXPERIENCE THAT YOU HAVE ANXIETY PROBLEMS.  I AM SORT OF A PULSE JUNKY AND I KNOW THAT WHEN I TAKE IT IT GOES UP JUST FROM THINKING ABOUT IT.  ALSO I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT IF YOU EXERCISE YOUR PULSE (RESTING) WILL START TO DECREASE AND THAT OVERALL YOUR ANXIETY WILL DECREASE.  YOU JUST HAVE TO GET OVER THE FEAR.  LASTLY YOU NEVER MENTIONED WHETHER OR NOT YOU DRINK ALCOHOL.... IF YOU DO IT WILL JACK UP YOUR HEART RATE ALONG WITH CERTAIN FOODS ETC...   DAVE

by Jean27, Aug 13, 2001 12:00AM
To: Jan § Dave
Thank you both for your answers I feel like this problem is all I think about. Thats why I cant figure out if I feel all of these things my heart does because of a medical problem or if it is because I am making myself crazy from always worrying about it.

Jan - you said you have MVP do you ever get the racing? Is that caused by the Mvp or anxiety.

Dave - how did yu break th habit of checking your pulse? I feel like I want to know if it's fast because I have this fear that it will race and not slow back down, even though in 3 years it

has never happened

I appreciate your answers I have been thinking it is anxiety but there is that  doubt that the drs missed something making me scared.

Thanks Jean :)

by alexawesome1, Aug 13, 2001 12:00AM
To: Jean
Dear Jean, Hopefully this will give you some reassurance... I'm now 27 year's old and initially experienced a few skipped heart beats since the age of 24.  This got me EXTREMELY!!! concerned about my heart.  I saw two cardiologists, did a stress test, numerous EKG's, echocardiogram, VO2 Max Test, 24 hour holter, pulmary evaluation etc... The more I though about my heart, the more aware I became! It started driving me insane and definitly ruining my life.  I guess if you're toe was hurting you and it was diagnosed as nothing, it would be easier to ignore! When it comes to the heart, that's impossible.  You're constantly reminded if it stops then that's the end!  We'll here's the friendly advise.  This story is long and should comfort you because that's what you need! First of all, you've been cleared by the Cardio, seek a 2nd opionion, it's free and painless!!! Now I'm a health freek so I jog 2-3 times a week about 2-3 miles with my weight training, box, swim, tennis and am usually active 1+ hours a day/ 5-6 days a week! I would also constantly check my pulse and found that I have a low HR at rest of 50 which is typical for active young people.  Now depending on your age and physical conditioning you'll need to exercise regularly to relieve your stress and increase you CV health overall.  Relax about your condition because you don't have one.  It might sound weird at first but try a basic Yoga video and training to relax, I found swimming really helped my anxiety.  Try some comile tea (spelled wrong! It's yellow tea from flowers with some honey) don't consume Aspertaime diet products, black tea's, caffine, chocolate, alcohol, drugs etc... I mean have very little maybe once a week treat yourself.  Trust me when I say it's in YOUR HEAD!!! Your OK and you will live untill at leat 120, just like MOSES did! If you wanted any more advise feel free to email: alex_dolgonos***@****  RELAX! RELAX!

by jan, Aug 13, 2001 12:00AM
To: jmcky29
Hi Jean,

I have inappropriate sinus tachycardia, so yes, my heart races (even on meds). It isn't from the MVP, however, it is from something wrong with my sinus node. The racing doesn't bother me unless it makes me short of breath or feel faint. The funny thing is when I am anxious my heart doesn't race, but it did beat alot harder when I was really worked up. Fortunately that didn't happen often and now with the med it doesn't happen at all. If you do have sinus tachycardia and it is so bothersome maybe you can take some beta blockers, but I wouldn't. If you take them there is always a chance for side effects and you have to see a cardio. every 6 months. It's a pain, believe me. Just try to relax and exercise,too. Good luck!

by Kek, Aug 19, 2001 12:00AM
To: jmcky29
Hi, Jean!

I might be too late to post a comment!  Here's my story, not unlike yours.  I have a "funny" beating heart - all stress.

I have what the Drs. want to call panic-anxiety disorder