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What Causes Palpitations When Suffering From Depression And Anxiety?
Question: Hi, Dr. Grief,
My name is XXXX and I am 44 years old. I deal with depression and anxiety, but I'm being treated for it. This winter I was in the hospital for a day for viral pneumonia and pleurisy (not too bad, they said, but it was there). I had an echocardiogram and other heart tests and they came back fine. I am 5' 8" and 220 pounds. I have been having heart palpitations lately, here and there. My diet after leaving the hospital wasn't good and I feel like it didn't help me out in any way. I have changed my diet over the past two or three weeks and started walking. Do you think these palpitations are anxiety or something else? I also just gave up caffeine.Well, I guess I'm asking could any damage have been done to my heart in the time that I left the hospital in December to now? I know that it's not a lot of time to go by and that I'm an anxious person, but I was wondering about the situation. Thanks.
My name is XXXX and I am 44 years old. I deal with depression and anxiety, but I'm being treated for it. This winter I was in the hospital for a day for viral pneumonia and pleurisy (not too bad, they said, but it was there). I had an echocardiogram and other heart tests and they came back fine. I am 5' 8" and 220 pounds. I have been having heart palpitations lately, here and there. My diet after leaving the hospital wasn't good and I feel like it didn't help me out in any way. I have changed my diet over the past two or three weeks and started walking. Do you think these palpitations are anxiety or something else? I also just gave up caffeine.Well, I guess I'm asking could any damage have been done to my heart in the time that I left the hospital in December to now? I know that it's not a lot of time to go by and that I'm an anxious person, but I was wondering about the situation. Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Chances of cardiac ailment is less
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query.
As you have mentioned that all investigations including ECHO came normal, in that case, palpitation may be due to anxiety.
You want to ask about status of your heart after discharge. It is difficult to tell. If you do not feeling any chest pain or breathless or walking difficulty, then chances of underline cardiac problem is very less. Ruling out the possibility of any cardiac ailment could be possible after proper investigations. Better to go for routine cardiac test after every six months and just stay calm. You can try some antidepressant or benzodiazepine to decrease anxiety. Rest, carry on with exercise and diet control, that would help you a lot.
In case, you have any more question, you can ask.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
Chances of cardiac ailment is less
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query.
As you have mentioned that all investigations including ECHO came normal, in that case, palpitation may be due to anxiety.
You want to ask about status of your heart after discharge. It is difficult to tell. If you do not feeling any chest pain or breathless or walking difficulty, then chances of underline cardiac problem is very less. Ruling out the possibility of any cardiac ailment could be possible after proper investigations. Better to go for routine cardiac test after every six months and just stay calm. You can try some antidepressant or benzodiazepine to decrease anxiety. Rest, carry on with exercise and diet control, that would help you a lot.
In case, you have any more question, you can ask.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thanks, Dr. XXXXXXX for your help. I don't feel any pain in the middle of my chest or have any pain in my left arm, etc. It's more like heart palpitations. I am out of shape, though, and although I don't have difficulty walking, I couldn't walk for a long period of time or run at this point in time. I am also trying to get off of caffeine as I know that it does not mix well with anxiety, etc. I do take medications for anxiety and depression and I know that caffeine doesn't mix well with the medications. Caffeine is very addictive, as you know. Any other suggestions?
Brief Answer:
You can try some relaxation exercise
Detailed Answer:
HI
In that case, just do what you are doing. You can also try some relaxation exercise like JPMR or deep breathing or yoga or meditation. That would help you to stay calm and relax. Rest, enjoy your life and try to control weight. Your body mass index is more than 33, i.e. you are over weight, so better to work on it. That would keep to healthy and stay away from major cardiac illness.
In case, you need further help, you can ask.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
You can try some relaxation exercise
Detailed Answer:
HI
In that case, just do what you are doing. You can also try some relaxation exercise like JPMR or deep breathing or yoga or meditation. That would help you to stay calm and relax. Rest, enjoy your life and try to control weight. Your body mass index is more than 33, i.e. you are over weight, so better to work on it. That would keep to healthy and stay away from major cardiac illness.
In case, you need further help, you can ask.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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