
Health Anxiety, EKG Revealed Sinus Tachycardia. Will My Anxiety Attacks Put Me In Cardiac Arrest?

for example, the last anxiety attack i had, i was exercising comfortably at about 145 bpm then i had a thought "what if my heart rate doesnt go back down" .... i started myself into a panic attack, got off the treadmill, my heart rate jumped to 180bpm.... help! do i need to stop exercising?
Hi,
Thanks for the query.
You have provided me with good information.
You seem to be most probably having Anxiety resulting in tachycardia (increase in heart rate). You have also done an ECG which shows Sinus Tachycardia, again before doing this test you were anxious.
Patients with anxiety may actually have a healthy heart, and their tachycardia can be fully attributed to anxious mental states. Heart rate can also go up physiologically while exercising. Heart rate becomes normal after a while in both these conditions. They usually do not result in any harm.
If your heart rate is normal while at rest and other non anxious moments, it does not seem like a concerning issue to me. You might consider getting a repeat ECG done when you are completely relaxed so as to rule out any other co existing heart illness. Medical treatment is entailed if any coexisting illness is found.
Do not get anxious when meeting a doctor. You can continue exercising without having any fear about your heart rate. Your anxiety is less likely to cause cardiac arrest.
Talk to your doctor about your anxiety issues. You may need any of the below measures to treat anxiety issues:
1. Medication – Use of anti-anxiety and anti-depressant.
2. Psychological Treatment for Anxiety – One of the most common and effective anxiety treatments is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and this method can be used with drugs or without drug.
3. XXXXXXX Breathing Exercise, Yoga and transcendental meditation can help relax the mind .
4. A visit to a psychiatrist might be useful in some people. Please consider it.
4. In addition thyroid function test to rule out over active thyroid is entailed.
Hope I have answered your query.I will be available for follow up.
Wish you good health.
Regards

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