Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
I’m Seeing A Cardiologist For Heart Palpitations. I’m 23 Years
Question: I’m seeing a cardiologist for heart palpitations. I’m 23 years old, and stress and anxiety attacks have been an on going thing for me for many years. I used to smoke cigarettes a lot and drink a lot of energy drinks. I also had a caffeine over dose which I thought was possibly a heart attack but my primary doctor disagreed. The thing is, being someone that has major anxiety, it’s really been stressing me out that I’m waiting 3 weeks for a follow up. There is no communication between the dr and I . He keeps saying not to worry and it isn’t serious, but he said that just from our first visit and an ekg and standard health questions. I’ve felt the sensation of palpitations before through out my life. Always thought it was my lungs twitching. But my question is, how serious could this be? I haven’t fainted. I’m not sick. I don’t have other symptoms. But I’m told to reduce physical activity until my follow up. But, my career is a physical job. I have a DOT med card and a class A license. The doctor does not understand my concerns with work and needing to go back or the fact that this could make me lose my job. I needed a note from him clearing me to drive but not allowing me to be physical. But he keeps forgetting to. I’m not sure what to do. I just need an opinion. This has been driving me crazy.
I’m seeing a cardiologist for heart palpitations. I’m 23 years old, and stress and anxiety attacks have been an on going thing for me for many years. I used to smoke cigarettes a lot and drink a lot of energy drinks. I also had a caffeine over dose which I thought was possibly a heart attack but my primary doctor disagreed. The thing is, being someone that has major anxiety, it’s really been stressing me out that I’m waiting 3 weeks for a follow up. There is no communication between the dr and I . He keeps saying not to worry and it isn’t serious, but he said that just from our first visit and an ekg and standard health questions. I’ve felt the sensation of palpitations before through out my life. Always thought it was my lungs twitching. But my question is, how serious could this be? I haven’t fainted. I’m not sick. I don’t have other symptoms. But I’m told to reduce physical activity until my follow up. But, my career is a physical job. I have a DOT med card and a class A license. The doctor does not understand my concerns with work and needing to go back or the fact that this could make me lose my job. I needed a note from him clearing me to drive but not allowing me to be physical. But he keeps forgetting to. I’m not sure what to do. I just need an opinion. This has been driving me crazy.
Brief Answer:
Anxiety and Palpitations
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Welcome to "Ask a doctor" service.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX
I have gone through your details and here is my opinion.
According to the diagnostic protocol for palpitations,you should get a blood work up (electrolytes and calcium) and your thyroid levels should be checked in addition to an ekg and echo of heart.
If this does not reveal anything,clinicians go for a holter.
This is a 24 hour ambulatory EKG which picks up any abnormal beat encountered.
Some patients may need electrophysiological studies of heart.
Before attributing your palpitations to your anxiety,all organic causes need to be ruled out.
Till then,it would be dangerous for you to drive,to swim and to be alone.
Arrythmias may cause haemodynamic insufficiency and when proper blood flow does not reach brain,it may lead to syncope and you may faint.
Just like your clinician,I would also advise you to be a little bit cautious.
You need to control your anxiety by means of drug therapy,behavioural therapy,relaxation techniques,belly breathing,meditation,exercises and other treatment modalities.
Hope that I have answered your query.
If you have any doubts,please let me know.
Stay healthy and stay blessed.
Regards.
Anxiety and Palpitations
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Welcome to "Ask a doctor" service.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX
I have gone through your details and here is my opinion.
According to the diagnostic protocol for palpitations,you should get a blood work up (electrolytes and calcium) and your thyroid levels should be checked in addition to an ekg and echo of heart.
If this does not reveal anything,clinicians go for a holter.
This is a 24 hour ambulatory EKG which picks up any abnormal beat encountered.
Some patients may need electrophysiological studies of heart.
Before attributing your palpitations to your anxiety,all organic causes need to be ruled out.
Till then,it would be dangerous for you to drive,to swim and to be alone.
Arrythmias may cause haemodynamic insufficiency and when proper blood flow does not reach brain,it may lead to syncope and you may faint.
Just like your clinician,I would also advise you to be a little bit cautious.
You need to control your anxiety by means of drug therapy,behavioural therapy,relaxation techniques,belly breathing,meditation,exercises and other treatment modalities.
Hope that I have answered your query.
If you have any doubts,please let me know.
Stay healthy and stay blessed.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Brief Answer:
Anxiety and Palpitations
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Welcome to "Ask a doctor" service.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX
I have gone through your details and here is my opinion.
According to the diagnostic protocol for palpitations,you should get a blood work up (electrolytes and calcium) and your thyroid levels should be checked in addition to an ekg and echo of heart.
If this does not reveal anything,clinicians go for a holter.
This is a 24 hour ambulatory EKG which picks up any abnormal beat encountered.
Some patients may need electrophysiological studies of heart.
Before attributing your palpitations to your anxiety,all organic causes need to be ruled out.
Till then,it would be dangerous for you to drive,to swim and to be alone.
Arrythmias may cause haemodynamic insufficiency and when proper blood flow does not reach brain,it may lead to syncope and you may faint.
Just like your clinician,I would also advise you to be a little bit cautious.
You need to control your anxiety by means of drug therapy,behavioural therapy,relaxation techniques,belly breathing,meditation,exercises and other treatment modalities.
Hope that I have answered your query.
If you have any doubts,please let me know.
Stay healthy and stay blessed.
Regards.
Anxiety and Palpitations
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Welcome to "Ask a doctor" service.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX
I have gone through your details and here is my opinion.
According to the diagnostic protocol for palpitations,you should get a blood work up (electrolytes and calcium) and your thyroid levels should be checked in addition to an ekg and echo of heart.
If this does not reveal anything,clinicians go for a holter.
This is a 24 hour ambulatory EKG which picks up any abnormal beat encountered.
Some patients may need electrophysiological studies of heart.
Before attributing your palpitations to your anxiety,all organic causes need to be ruled out.
Till then,it would be dangerous for you to drive,to swim and to be alone.
Arrythmias may cause haemodynamic insufficiency and when proper blood flow does not reach brain,it may lead to syncope and you may faint.
Just like your clinician,I would also advise you to be a little bit cautious.
You need to control your anxiety by means of drug therapy,behavioural therapy,relaxation techniques,belly breathing,meditation,exercises and other treatment modalities.
Hope that I have answered your query.
If you have any doubts,please let me know.
Stay healthy and stay blessed.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
the cardiologist has cleared me to drive, but says i must wait until i have my follow up appointment with him to be fully cleared for physical activity. i had blood work done for my thyroid, and an echo for my heart a week ago,and i will be getting an ultra sound on my thyroid in a few days. im also wearing a heart monitor until july 1st. doctor says i shouldnt be worried about my condition. but before he can give me his full opinion, he would like me to finish using the heart monitor. should i consider this to be serious if the doctor doesnt seem to be worried?
the cardiologist has cleared me to drive, but says i must wait until i have my follow up appointment with him to be fully cleared for physical activity. i had blood work done for my thyroid, and an echo for my heart a week ago,and i will be getting an ultra sound on my thyroid in a few days. im also wearing a heart monitor until july 1st. doctor says i shouldnt be worried about my condition. but before he can give me his full opinion, he would like me to finish using the heart monitor. should i consider this to be serious if the doctor doesnt seem to be worried?
Brief Answer:
Anxiety and Palpitations
Detailed Answer:
Hi...It's good that you have been evaluated this much and nothing serious has emerged out from it.
Till now,there is nothing which is worrisome.
Your Holter report is still pending which can reveal an abnormally fast,abnormally low,uneven,fluttering or skipped beats.
The Holter monitor may be able to detect irregularities in heart rhythm that an electrocardiogram couldn't detect.
If arrhythmia like atrial fibrillation episodes are intermittent (SVT,PSVT etc) then they are most likely missed on an ECG and but are captured by a holter.
You have to go through an ultrasound (and may be radioactive scan) of thyroid which are priceless to rule out a goiter and thyroid over activity which cause arrhythmia.
I told you that an arrhythmia can cause haemodynamic deterioration.
It may be a fall in blood pressure and shock and cerebral anoxia.
It may be in the form of hypertension and brain bleed with stroke.
Furthermore,there can be dizziness,altered sensorium,syncope and fall which may cause wounds,head injury,fractures or some other eventualities like road traffic accidents,drowning,electrocution,unattended fall and prolonged laying or fall from height.
There is nothing to be terrified but it is just a word of caution from me and your cardiologist to be cautious before all of your work up is over.
It is better to be safe then sorry.
Happy living.
Regards.
Anxiety and Palpitations
Detailed Answer:
Hi...It's good that you have been evaluated this much and nothing serious has emerged out from it.
Till now,there is nothing which is worrisome.
Your Holter report is still pending which can reveal an abnormally fast,abnormally low,uneven,fluttering or skipped beats.
The Holter monitor may be able to detect irregularities in heart rhythm that an electrocardiogram couldn't detect.
If arrhythmia like atrial fibrillation episodes are intermittent (SVT,PSVT etc) then they are most likely missed on an ECG and but are captured by a holter.
You have to go through an ultrasound (and may be radioactive scan) of thyroid which are priceless to rule out a goiter and thyroid over activity which cause arrhythmia.
I told you that an arrhythmia can cause haemodynamic deterioration.
It may be a fall in blood pressure and shock and cerebral anoxia.
It may be in the form of hypertension and brain bleed with stroke.
Furthermore,there can be dizziness,altered sensorium,syncope and fall which may cause wounds,head injury,fractures or some other eventualities like road traffic accidents,drowning,electrocution,unattended fall and prolonged laying or fall from height.
There is nothing to be terrified but it is just a word of caution from me and your cardiologist to be cautious before all of your work up is over.
It is better to be safe then sorry.
Happy living.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Brief Answer:
Anxiety and Palpitations
Detailed Answer:
Hi...It's good that you have been evaluated this much and nothing serious has emerged out from it.
Till now,there is nothing which is worrisome.
Your Holter report is still pending which can reveal an abnormally fast,abnormally low,uneven,fluttering or skipped beats.
The Holter monitor may be able to detect irregularities in heart rhythm that an electrocardiogram couldn't detect.
If arrhythmia like atrial fibrillation episodes are intermittent (SVT,PSVT etc) then they are most likely missed on an ECG and but are captured by a holter.
You have to go through an ultrasound (and may be radioactive scan) of thyroid which are priceless to rule out a goiter and thyroid over activity which cause arrhythmia.
I told you that an arrhythmia can cause haemodynamic deterioration.
It may be a fall in blood pressure and shock and cerebral anoxia.
It may be in the form of hypertension and brain bleed with stroke.
Furthermore,there can be dizziness,altered sensorium,syncope and fall which may cause wounds,head injury,fractures or some other eventualities like road traffic accidents,drowning,electrocution,unattended fall and prolonged laying or fall from height.
There is nothing to be terrified but it is just a word of caution from me and your cardiologist to be cautious before all of your work up is over.
It is better to be safe then sorry.
Happy living.
Regards.
Anxiety and Palpitations
Detailed Answer:
Hi...It's good that you have been evaluated this much and nothing serious has emerged out from it.
Till now,there is nothing which is worrisome.
Your Holter report is still pending which can reveal an abnormally fast,abnormally low,uneven,fluttering or skipped beats.
The Holter monitor may be able to detect irregularities in heart rhythm that an electrocardiogram couldn't detect.
If arrhythmia like atrial fibrillation episodes are intermittent (SVT,PSVT etc) then they are most likely missed on an ECG and but are captured by a holter.
You have to go through an ultrasound (and may be radioactive scan) of thyroid which are priceless to rule out a goiter and thyroid over activity which cause arrhythmia.
I told you that an arrhythmia can cause haemodynamic deterioration.
It may be a fall in blood pressure and shock and cerebral anoxia.
It may be in the form of hypertension and brain bleed with stroke.
Furthermore,there can be dizziness,altered sensorium,syncope and fall which may cause wounds,head injury,fractures or some other eventualities like road traffic accidents,drowning,electrocution,unattended fall and prolonged laying or fall from height.
There is nothing to be terrified but it is just a word of caution from me and your cardiologist to be cautious before all of your work up is over.
It is better to be safe then sorry.
Happy living.
Regards.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
