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What Causes Increased Heart Rate When Suffering From Anxiety?

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Posted on Tue, 18 Mar 2014
Question: Hi,I'm 26 yr old female I'm suffering from anxiety and panick attacks past 3 months and I have seen a doctor had blood work done and 30 day holter monitor and and many ECGs and a echo of the Heart and they all came out normal . What concerns me is that my Heart rate when I get out of bed can go from 90 to 110 or 120 ,,when walking around the house it's at 110 ,I'm not on anxiety med , my regular bp is 90/60 so they gave me motoprolol to take as needed for rapid heart rate but having a low bp I don't want it to drop any lower , and at night and evening my heart rate could be at 77 and when waking its 100 so my questions are What's a norm heart rate when waking around the house or grocery store let's say? And can having a heart rate of 110 when on my feet and weeken the heart ? When I sleep my hr rate does drop to 50s or 60s so it's not always so hight ! And during a panick attack it can go 160 for about 5-10 min until I calm down .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: Following answers to your queries... Detailed Answer: Hi, I have read your medical history and understood your concerns. The normal heart rate is between 60 and 100 bpm. There are many factors influencing heart rates including: - the morning hormones which increases your heart rate as they give enough energy to your body to start the day - physical activities (including walking) can increase heart rate too. Such increase is normal and does not indicate any heart problem. Metoprolol is a good medication to control increased heart beats without having any effect on blood pressure. I'd suggest to take it only in cases where you have anxiety or panic disorders. A heart rate of 110 does not weakened your heart, but is a normal rate when walking around (on your feet). If the arrhythmia will be persistent for long periods, then, it would be a cause to heart problems. It is normal to have low heart beats when you lay down or sleep. Once again, it is perfectly normal to have high heart rates during a panic attack. The very best thing is to try to control your stress and anxiety. Apart Metoprolol, you can: - perform stress-relieving techniques (have a deep breathing using your nostrils, then, hold the breathe, and after that, gradually release breath) - can discuss with your doctor to start prescription anti-anxiety drugs (e.g. xanax) - avoid energetic/alcoholic/caffeine drinks Hope it answered to your queries! Dr.Benard Feel free ask me back if you have further questions!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)
What do you mean when u say if arithmiya will persist for a long time ? What length of time and how high does heart rate need to be at to cause any damage to the Heart ? And I have one more question I had Influenza a a month ago and woke up with a fever of 100.4 and my heart rate was 110 when laying down I tried to sit up then it went up to 130 and when I tried to get up it was like 160 I was very anxious about it but what would cause it to go that hight up on standing ? I read lots of stuff and I found pots syndrome so I measured my bp when sitting and standing and it did not drop up on standing . I'm Just constantly checking my pulse and if I see 100 I get worried that my heart is over working .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: Your heart rates are within normal range... Detailed Answer: Hi back, Thank you for following up. It will take months (more than 6 months) and up to years for the arrhythmia to cause damages to the heart. You are having this kind of problems since 3 months, (less than 1 year), so, no need to worry. Furthermore, your problems are not persistent, but "on-occasion". It is normal to have high heart beats when you get influenza (or other infectious diseases), especially when they are associated with high fever. However, your heart rates were within the normal/acceptable range. Do no worry about the heart being over working. This is the heart's duty: "to fulfill the needs of the body". If your heart rates would be persisting higher than 140 bpm, then, it would a cause for concern. You are too young, only 26 years old. Such fluctuations in heart beat could be also related to hormonal changes related to monthly periods. Try to control stress through stress-relieving techniques and taking chamomile tea at bedtime. Avoid alcohol, drugs, caffeine, energetic drinks to improve heart beats. Be socialized (family, friends) etc. and try to think positively. All the best! Dr.Benard
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (20 hours later)
Thank you , yes I'm trying to stay positive, can u please give me advise on how to respond with out stressing out when I check my pulse it's at rest at 110 or 100 , I know I should not be checking it all the time but it's really hard when you are stressed out about it all the time . When I clean the house and I can feel it beating and I'll check its at 130 I know I bend down to do floors and it's an extertion but I still feel like its pretty fast? and I do not do ( drungs , alcohol , not even coffee ) I know that increases heart rate . I do take valerian root to help me calm down
doctor
Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (6 hours later)
Brief Answer: Try to control stress to reduce heart beats.... Detailed Answer: Hi again, Thank you for following up. It is great that you are not consuming drugs, alcohol or coffee. I am also happy to know that you are taking valerian root to help you calm down. I suggest not to measure your heart beats so often. Once daily or once a week is enough to understand how your heart is working. Getting anxious about the heart beats will increase your heart rate; putting in a vicious circle. So, enjoy your life as long as no organic problem is noticed in your heart and other body organs. All the best! Dr.Benard
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (2 days later)
What do you mean organic problem is noticed , ? And also wanted to ask after eating my pulse goes up Is that something to be concerned about
doctor
Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (35 hours later)
Brief Answer: You have nothing to worry about. Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you for following up! With “organic disease or problem” by definition I mean a disease in which there is a physiological change to some tissue or organ of the body. (I.e. there will be some abnormality in structure or function of at least one organ). You mention that after eating your pulse goes up and this is a normal reaction to digestion process. So you have nothing to worry about. I wish again all the best! Dr.Benard
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Benard Shehu

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What Causes Increased Heart Rate When Suffering From Anxiety?

Brief Answer: Following answers to your queries... Detailed Answer: Hi, I have read your medical history and understood your concerns. The normal heart rate is between 60 and 100 bpm. There are many factors influencing heart rates including: - the morning hormones which increases your heart rate as they give enough energy to your body to start the day - physical activities (including walking) can increase heart rate too. Such increase is normal and does not indicate any heart problem. Metoprolol is a good medication to control increased heart beats without having any effect on blood pressure. I'd suggest to take it only in cases where you have anxiety or panic disorders. A heart rate of 110 does not weakened your heart, but is a normal rate when walking around (on your feet). If the arrhythmia will be persistent for long periods, then, it would be a cause to heart problems. It is normal to have low heart beats when you lay down or sleep. Once again, it is perfectly normal to have high heart rates during a panic attack. The very best thing is to try to control your stress and anxiety. Apart Metoprolol, you can: - perform stress-relieving techniques (have a deep breathing using your nostrils, then, hold the breathe, and after that, gradually release breath) - can discuss with your doctor to start prescription anti-anxiety drugs (e.g. xanax) - avoid energetic/alcoholic/caffeine drinks Hope it answered to your queries! Dr.Benard Feel free ask me back if you have further questions!