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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Could Rapid Thumping Of Heart Be Due To Anxiety?

Hello Dr Gopi, My name is Teresa, I am 52 yrs old I weigh around 13stone 5ft 5in tall. I am a little concerned about my problem which arose about 3 yrs ago. I worked in a nursing home, when this day I let a nurse take my blood pressure and it was 140/90 and she told me that that was very high, this got me very worried so I ended up going to doctor and then proceeded to have a monitor fitted, all was ok, but over the past year I have been feeling my heart beat fast on occasions and this worries me sick, I am constantly feeling my pulse, and I am now totally frightened every time I go to doctors and they go to read my blood pressure and I know its going to be so high before they start, because when I enter the surgery I can feel my heart thumping out of my chest and beating so fast, I was there yesterday and it was 200/110. I feel this is all down to the origional fright I got 3 yrs ago, and I have never settled since, and I am so anxious and nervous. Please can you tell me if this is like a white coat syndrom, or maybe the reason for all this could be anxiety or could it be due to me have hot flushes and high temperature and night sweats from the menaupause, I have not had a period for nearly 3 years. I am not on HRT and I eat healthy, I dont smoke or drink, I eat lots of fruit and veg and drink beetroot juice now and again. Please could you advise me what is happening to me.......Thank you. Teresa Belfast.
Fri, 19 Dec 2014
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

You are a 52 years old female with average height and weight. You have started feeling that your heart beats fast and this is making you sick. You have palpitations, and when ever you go to doctor your BP comes in higher range. Most likely the high BP is due to White Coat Hypertension. This is psychological rise in BP while entering a hospital and it may also present with other symptoms of anxiety. But you are having palpitations, restlessness which couldn't be explained by anxiety alone. Most likely the reason for such symptoms is panic attacks with anxiety. You are already on HRT for menopausal syndrome and this also increases the risk of such symptoms. I would advise you to consult a psychiatrist for such symptoms. Some medicines like Propranolol, Atenolol which are beta blocker drugs are used to reduce the palpitations and this will also help to decrease BP. Instead of HRT for hot flashes medicines like Duloxetine can be used. The medicine will help to reduce mood swings and will also help in anxiety.
Visit a psychiatrist for prescription of these drugs.

Thanks, hope this helps you.
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Could Rapid Thumping Of Heart Be Due To Anxiety?

Hello thanks for asking from HCM You are a 52 years old female with average height and weight. You have started feeling that your heart beats fast and this is making you sick. You have palpitations, and when ever you go to doctor your BP comes in higher range. Most likely the high BP is due to White Coat Hypertension. This is psychological rise in BP while entering a hospital and it may also present with other symptoms of anxiety. But you are having palpitations, restlessness which couldn t be explained by anxiety alone. Most likely the reason for such symptoms is panic attacks with anxiety. You are already on HRT for menopausal syndrome and this also increases the risk of such symptoms. I would advise you to consult a psychiatrist for such symptoms. Some medicines like Propranolol, Atenolol which are beta blocker drugs are used to reduce the palpitations and this will also help to decrease BP. Instead of HRT for hot flashes medicines like Duloxetine can be used. The medicine will help to reduce mood swings and will also help in anxiety. Visit a psychiatrist for prescription of these drugs. Thanks, hope this helps you.