Brief Answer: Get ECG and 2-D Echo done and consult Psychiatrist Detailed Answer: Hi there, Thanks for your query. Chronic mental stress/chronic anxiety does cause symptoms similar to those of yours, particularly during acute panic reactions. However, if you get frequent, brief episodes of heart flutters lasting for 5-30 minutes, there is a possibility of a conduction defect in the heart, in which the heart beats much faster than normal (called Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia) for a brief period. Or, there is a harmless, congenital heart disorder in which a heart valve doesn't close properly. This condition- called Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP)- is quite common in females. In case of chronic anxiety, a long term course of anti-depressant + anti-anxiety drug in effective doses, will be of great help. Get an ECG and 2-D Echo done to see for conduction defect or presence of MVP. Depending on the cause, prescription of an appropriate drug will stop heart flutters. Consult your doctor and apprise him of my opinion. I am certain that he will agree with my opinion; order required tests, and- based on the reports- will arrive at a certain diagnosis and prescribe suitable treatment as advised. Hope I have addressed to your concerns to your complete satisfaction and you find my response helpful and informative. I will be happy to answer further queries, if any. Take care, Dr. Rakesh Karanwal

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Brief Answer: Get 2-D Echo test done to rule out/diagnose MVP Detailed Answer: Hi, EKG does not diagnose Mitral Valve Prolapse. So, ask your doctor to order 2-D Echo test to directly visualize the heart valves. Yes. From the fresh information, you do have chronic anxiety. Consult your doctor or a Psychiatrist who will prescribe a long-term course of anti-anxiety drug (such as alprazolam or clonazepam) with or without an anti-depressant drug- depending on the Psychiatrist's opinion- which will relieve you of all your problems. Take care, Dr. Rakesh Karanwal

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