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What Causes Palpitations And Shortness Of Breath?
Good evening, Today I experienced something scary. I was getting out the car to go in the gas station and I felt my heart beat rapidly, almost like it was about to jump out my chest and it was painful. I felt short of breath and I started sweating and both my hands started tingling. I grabbed a bottle of water and started drinking it just to see if it would help. I was afraid I was about to faint. The episode lasted for at least 20 mins. I didn’t start driving until it eased up a little. Then when I got home I laced across the couch and and it passed over. But my chest still feels a little heavy.
Tue, 17 Jul 2018
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
I passed carefully through your question and would explain that your symptoms could be related to a panic attack or cardiac arrhythmia.
Coming to this point, I would recommend performing some tests to exclude cardiac arrhythmia:
- a resting ECG and a cardiac ultrasound
- thyroid hormone levels for thyroid gland dysfunction
- blood electrolytes for any possible imbalances
- complete blood count for anemia
- an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring for possible cardiac arrhythmia.
If all the above tests result normal, you should consider anxiety as the main cause of your complaints.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Wishing good health,
Dr. Iliri
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
I passed carefully through your question and would explain that your symptoms could be related to a panic attack or cardiac arrhythmia.
Coming to this point, I would recommend performing some tests to exclude cardiac arrhythmia:
- a resting ECG and a cardiac ultrasound
- thyroid hormone levels for thyroid gland dysfunction
- blood electrolytes for any possible imbalances
- complete blood count for anemia
- an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring for possible cardiac arrhythmia.
If all the above tests result normal, you should consider anxiety as the main cause of your complaints.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Wishing good health,
Dr. Iliri
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