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Suggest Remedies For Irregular Heart Beat
Question: I am 27 yrs old. Is there a 'cure' for heartbeat awareness and pounding heartbeat (strong heartbeat which moves tummy ) when lying down?
I am frustrated and anxious about this.
I am frustrated and anxious about this.
Brief Answer:
Anxiety, the culprit
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM. Thank you for your question. I understand your concern.
Well, the main culprit to this feeling or "sense" is anxiety. The pounding heart beat you sense in your stomach area when you lie down is particularly characteristic during anxious periods. What happens? There is a sense of fear (which basically is a type of anxiety - situational anxiety) as you perceive "what is happening to me?" "is something terribly wrong going on?", common questions asked to oneself. This fear is accompanied with a flush of adrenalin in the system which, among others, has its effects in heart rate and in blood pressure. It is associated with constriction (narrowing) of the arteries, one of which, actually the main one, is the aorta. This produces more forceful heart beats, to overcome the resistance in the periphery, installed by the constriction of the arteries, hence one can sense his own heart beat. This is why the stomach area pulsates and the abdominal aorta is projected in the mid stomach area. Based also on your age, I think that there is nothing to be worried about. Actually, it can happen to anyone, including me. However, if this is affecting your quality of life, sleep, work or other everyday activities, the route to be pursued would be to consult a clinical psychologist and to be put on a short-term course of benzodiazepines to treat the anxiety.
I hope my asnwer is helpful to you. If you have follow-up questions, I would be happy to help.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
Anxiety, the culprit
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM. Thank you for your question. I understand your concern.
Well, the main culprit to this feeling or "sense" is anxiety. The pounding heart beat you sense in your stomach area when you lie down is particularly characteristic during anxious periods. What happens? There is a sense of fear (which basically is a type of anxiety - situational anxiety) as you perceive "what is happening to me?" "is something terribly wrong going on?", common questions asked to oneself. This fear is accompanied with a flush of adrenalin in the system which, among others, has its effects in heart rate and in blood pressure. It is associated with constriction (narrowing) of the arteries, one of which, actually the main one, is the aorta. This produces more forceful heart beats, to overcome the resistance in the periphery, installed by the constriction of the arteries, hence one can sense his own heart beat. This is why the stomach area pulsates and the abdominal aorta is projected in the mid stomach area. Based also on your age, I think that there is nothing to be worried about. Actually, it can happen to anyone, including me. However, if this is affecting your quality of life, sleep, work or other everyday activities, the route to be pursued would be to consult a clinical psychologist and to be put on a short-term course of benzodiazepines to treat the anxiety.
I hope my asnwer is helpful to you. If you have follow-up questions, I would be happy to help.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Deepak
Thanks doctor. You explained it beautifully.
I am on Propanalol for Mitral valve prolapse. Even after taking it, I was having it, that is why i got worried. I will take clonezepam which i did not take today.
Is there a better drug as per you which is antidepressent also?
Thanks in advance.
I am on Propanalol for Mitral valve prolapse. Even after taking it, I was having it, that is why i got worried. I will take clonezepam which i did not take today.
Is there a better drug as per you which is antidepressent also?
Thanks in advance.
Brief Answer:
Welcome back.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
First, I am happy you received and understood the physiological mechanism.
Propranolol is a very effective medication which also has anti-anxiety effects. I think that, as already recommended, its combination with clonazepam should suffice. My opinion is that there is no need for anti-depressants at the moment.
I hope this helps. Please rate my answer, if you do not have further questions.
Kindest regards,
Dr. Meriton
Welcome back.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
First, I am happy you received and understood the physiological mechanism.
Propranolol is a very effective medication which also has anti-anxiety effects. I think that, as already recommended, its combination with clonazepam should suffice. My opinion is that there is no need for anti-depressants at the moment.
I hope this helps. Please rate my answer, if you do not have further questions.
Kindest regards,
Dr. Meriton
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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