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Can Anxiety Cause Irregular Heartbeats During Intercourse?
Question: Hi doctor i have had 2 cardiac work ups done in the past year by 2 separate cardiologists. Both times my heart showed structurally normal and i passed both stress tests. I also had 2 48 hour holters done. The latest holter showed sinus rhythm with 400 single pacs and a few bigemy cycles and 2 couplets, No runs. It also showed 15 PVCS unifocal. I had slight bradycardia at rest 26 % of the time and lowest heart rate was 41 while sleeping. Highest heart rate was 164 during an anxiety episode. Lately i feel an increase in Etopic beats and palpitations at night and when i wake up in the morning. I also get some during the day which are less noticeable. I am a little concerned even though my cardiologists both insist my heart is very healthy. I eat a very good diet and i have lost 80 lbs over the last year, I used to weigh almopst 300 lbs and now weigh 215 Lbs. I do not exercise because i am afraid of arythmia but my cardiologists say i should start. Also i have noticed sometimes during sex, I get irregular heartbeat. Some fast beats and then some slower strong beats around 56 bpm. When i have an orgasm my heart will race around 165 bpm sometimes for approximately 2 minutes.
Can anxiety be causing all these symptoms like my cardiologist says? I have begun CBT therapy over the past 2 months and i am also doing a program called Hope and Help for your Nerves by doctor XXXXXXX Weeks
Can anxiety be causing all these symptoms like my cardiologist says? I have begun CBT therapy over the past 2 months and i am also doing a program called Hope and Help for your Nerves by doctor XXXXXXX Weeks
Brief Answer:
As cardiac conditions have been ruled out so anxiety is most likely reason.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. Your heart tests, both structural and functional, came normal twice and cardiologists are also ruling out any heart condition. So the risk of any serious cardiac condition can be ruled out easily.
You have PVCS and irregular beats sometimes, palpitations in night and irregular heart beat during sexual intercourse. These are not persistent so this also strengthens anxiety as cause of your symptoms.
If we consider psychopathology of anxiety then anxiety is nothing but inner state of turmoil characterised by autonomic, behavioural, mood changes due to some anticipated danger or fear. Autonomic symptoms occurs due to sympathetic overflow due to adrenalin rush. This adrenalin rush is the reason for symptoms like rapid heart rate, shift of blood flow, sweating, tremors etc. The rapid heart rate in episodes is occurring most likely due to the anxiety only because cardiac conditions has been ruled out.
You have lost significant weight in last one year so in my opinion one more condition should be ruled out. Hyperthyroid states can also cause rapid, irregular heart rate and is associated with significant weight loss. Please get your thyroid function tests done to rule out this condition. If thyroid condition is ruled out then I can say with certainty that the symptoms you are having are due to anxiety.
CBT along with relaxation exercises can help to control the somatic physical symptoms and this would result in relaxation. But as these symptoms are causing distress so in such case drugs like beta blockers (like propranolol or atenolol) or low dose benzodiazepines (clonazepam, lorazepam) can help. Beta blockers help to reduce the heart rate and other symptoms of anxiety and result in relaxation. Please consult a psychiatrist for proper help.
Thanks, I hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Take care
As cardiac conditions have been ruled out so anxiety is most likely reason.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. Your heart tests, both structural and functional, came normal twice and cardiologists are also ruling out any heart condition. So the risk of any serious cardiac condition can be ruled out easily.
You have PVCS and irregular beats sometimes, palpitations in night and irregular heart beat during sexual intercourse. These are not persistent so this also strengthens anxiety as cause of your symptoms.
If we consider psychopathology of anxiety then anxiety is nothing but inner state of turmoil characterised by autonomic, behavioural, mood changes due to some anticipated danger or fear. Autonomic symptoms occurs due to sympathetic overflow due to adrenalin rush. This adrenalin rush is the reason for symptoms like rapid heart rate, shift of blood flow, sweating, tremors etc. The rapid heart rate in episodes is occurring most likely due to the anxiety only because cardiac conditions has been ruled out.
You have lost significant weight in last one year so in my opinion one more condition should be ruled out. Hyperthyroid states can also cause rapid, irregular heart rate and is associated with significant weight loss. Please get your thyroid function tests done to rule out this condition. If thyroid condition is ruled out then I can say with certainty that the symptoms you are having are due to anxiety.
CBT along with relaxation exercises can help to control the somatic physical symptoms and this would result in relaxation. But as these symptoms are causing distress so in such case drugs like beta blockers (like propranolol or atenolol) or low dose benzodiazepines (clonazepam, lorazepam) can help. Beta blockers help to reduce the heart rate and other symptoms of anxiety and result in relaxation. Please consult a psychiatrist for proper help.
Thanks, I hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
hi doctor thank you for your response. I did have my thyroid checked and it was normal range. Is it normal to have etopic beats with anxiety? Alsp these beats as well as palpitations seem to come when im calm and out of nowhere
Brief Answer:
Ectopic beats can occur in anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hello again, thanks for asking a follow up question
Yes it is common in individuals to develop rapid heart rate, ectopic beats in anxiety. Anxiety as I have mentioned is a state of inner turmoil so this is not necessary that any precipitating even should be there for anxiety. It can occur in a calm or relaxed individual also. No need to worry for that. Your cardiac and thyroid conditions are ruled out so most likely cause of your symptoms is anxiety only.
Thanks, still have more doubts please ask again.
Ectopic beats can occur in anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hello again, thanks for asking a follow up question
Yes it is common in individuals to develop rapid heart rate, ectopic beats in anxiety. Anxiety as I have mentioned is a state of inner turmoil so this is not necessary that any precipitating even should be there for anxiety. It can occur in a calm or relaxed individual also. No need to worry for that. Your cardiac and thyroid conditions are ruled out so most likely cause of your symptoms is anxiety only.
Thanks, still have more doubts please ask again.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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