Extreme racing heart

[Sparkling_Fairy]

Hey guys, tonight I had one of the worst anxiety attacks of my life. Or so I assume that's what it was.
I had a rum and coke around 3pm. Alcohol does tend to make me more anxious but I'd been feeling pretty calm in recent months and alcohol doesn't typically make the THAT anxious! And quite frankly I felt ok.

I then had dinner, and instantaneously had heart palpitations. This happens a lot to me after eating. I feel like it was either a bit of anxiety, or an upset stomach from the alcohol but whatever I ate gave me a very bloated stomach and heart palpitations. I didn't measure it because then I usually freak out, but from experience it was around 120. And I'm fine with that, I'm used to it for extended periods of time.
But after about 40 minutes of that, my heart shot up to around 180. Like extremely fast!!! Up until this point I hadn't actually felt that anxious, but when this happened I got overwhelmed by fear which only made it worse.
I took a 0.5 Xanax and went to stand outside, with my bare feet on the cold concrete, in the cold air. After about 20 minutes my heart slowed down to around 140.
I'm now feeling better, but I took the Xanax 3 hours ago and my heart is still going around 80 and sometimes speeds up. I have sweaty hands and feet. And while I feel overall pretty calm, my body does not seem to calm all the way down.
I don't want to take any more Xanax because I drank alcohol earlier. But I think I'll be fine for the rest of the night now.

I just wanted to write this off me. And maybe see if anyone else has had a heart rate that high, and for how long.
I believe I read in a Claire Weeks book that your heart can sustain a heart rate of 250 for hours.
But there's also such a thing as a max. heart rate which for me is slight lower than 180. So I don't know what is dangerous and what isn't.

Any reassurance greatly appreciated, I could really use the talking down right now.

[Sparkling_Fairy]

Just want to add as well, that I don't take Xanax very often. I take it maybe once per month, and usually at the start of a day where I have a lot to go and do, as a way of stopping me from feeling too anxious.
It's the first time I took one while in the middle of a bad anxiety attack, so maybe the dose wasn't quite strong enough to bring it down fully.

[NoraB]

Hey guys, tonight I had one of the worst anxiety attacks of my life. Or so I assume that's what it was.
I had a rum and coke around 3pm. Alcohol does tend to make me more anxious but I'd been feeling pretty calm in recent months and alcohol doesn't typically make the THAT anxious! And quite frankly I felt ok.

Why drink then? :shrug:


I then had dinner, and instantaneously had heart palpitations. This happens a lot to me after eating.

Alcohol and digesting a big meal (most likely salty) means that the heart has to work a lot harder. You can help yourself by not drinking and eating smaller (and healthier) meals with less salt and additives etc..


I just wanted to write this off me. And maybe see if anyone else has had a heart rate that high, and for how long.

I had a heart rate of over 145bpm sustained over 6 hours (at night) until they gave me a beta blocker in A&E, though mine turned out to be a reaction to MSG compounded by my panic disorder..


Any reassurance greatly appreciated, I could really use the talking down right now.

Bottom line: alcohol isn't good for people with anxiety disorders. Initially, it supresses symptoms, but this is short-lasting and then withdrawal symptoms (as with any drug) makes matters worse, and you certainly shouldn't be mixing alcohol and sedatives..

[ankietyjoe]

Sounds like a pretty normal panic attack fuelled by alcohol to me.

You're reading too much into it. Your heart rate wasn't 'extreme'. It was merely elevated. You're labelling it as extreme and reacting accordingly.

Unpleasant yes, but ultimately harmless.

[Sparkling_Fairy]

Why drink then? :shrug:



Alcohol and digesting a big meal (most likely salty) means that the heart has to work a lot harder. You can help yourself by not drinking and eating smaller (and healthier) meals with less salt and additives etc..



I had a heart rate of over 145bpm sustained over 6 hours (at night) until they gave me a beta blocker in A&E, though mine turned out to be a reaction to MSG compounded by my panic disorder..



Bottom line: alcohol isn't good for people with anxiety disorders. Initially, it supresses symptoms, but this is short-lasting and then withdrawal symptoms (as with any drug) makes matters worse, and you certainly shouldn't be mixing alcohol and sedatives..

Yeah, I definitely said to myself last night no more alcohol! I hadn't had anything in a while, and it was the weekend so I thought: ah, go on!
But then to top it off, I didn't feel in the mood to cook so I had a packet or ramen noodles :shrug:
So yes, recipe for disaster, I realize that now!

[Sparkling_Fairy]

Sounds like a pretty normal panic attack fuelled by alcohol to me.

You're reading too much into it. Your heart rate wasn't 'extreme'. It was merely elevated. You're labelling it as extreme and reacting accordingly.

Unpleasant yes, but ultimately harmless.

Thank you! I think this was it. My heart rate was elevate for a while, which I'm used to and doesn't freak me out. But at one point it just went faster and then it felt extreme and enveloped me with fear.
Only the 2nd time in my life I've considered calling an ambulance, but thankfully I didn't need to. Woke up this morning and still alive!

Thanks for the reassurance! I already had an appointment with my GP on Tuesday to talk about possibly going on some meds, which I have put off for 8 years, but I feel it's time.

[ankietyjoe]

Thank you! I think this was it. My heart rate was elevate for a while, which I'm used to and doesn't freak me out. But at one point it just went faster and then it felt extreme and enveloped me with fear.
Only the 2nd time in my life I've considered calling an ambulance, but thankfully I didn't need to. Woke up this morning and still alive!

Thanks for the reassurance! I already had an appointment with my GP on Tuesday to talk about possibly going on some meds, which I have put off for 8 years, but I feel it's time.

Maybe it's better to change your relationship with anxiety before considering meds?

Have you been offered counselling before, specicially CBT?

Probably worth reading up and educating yourself a bit more about the vagus nerve too. If you ate a meal that triggered palps, it's likely fatty food? On top of that you had alcohol. This can irritate the vagus nerve, which is directly connected with heart rate.

Perhaps this is a dietary issue as much as anything?

Do you really want to take medication to smother an anxiety response to something harmless that might be caused by a dietary issue?

I'm not saying this IS what's happening, just playing devils advocate. Will also put my hand up as the most guilty forum anti medication nutcase :yesyes:


YMMV....of course.

[Sparkling_Fairy]

Maybe it's better to change your relationship with anxiety before considering meds?

Have you been offered counselling before, specicially CBT?

Probably worth reading up and educating yourself a bit more about the vagus nerve too. If you ate a meal that triggered palps, it's likely fatty food? On top of that you had alcohol. This can irritate the vagus nerve, which is directly connected with heart rate.

Perhaps this is a dietary issue as much as anything?

Do you really want to take medication to smother an anxiety response to something harmless that might be caused by a dietary issue?

I'm not saying this IS what's happening, just playing devils advocate. Will also put my hand up as the most guilty forum anti medication nutcase :yesyes:


YMMV....of course.

Oh no, trust me! I have had an 8 year long journey with anxiety! I've had counseling, CBT and the works! And I'm in a MUCH better place than I was last year.
I typically no longer fear my symptoms (except for last night) and just go: ah, let them pass! and it's fine.
My issue is that my body is never calm. I spoke to a friend of mine, who's a nurse, and she went on medication for a year. She explained, given how reluctant I was, that sometimes our body just needs a bit of extra help to unlearn bad habits even though our mind has done most of the work already. And even my GP said medication is not forever in most cases, I can come off them after a year. He also recommended it for me last year but i wasn't ready. But he said the same thing: sometimes your body needs the extra help

[ankietyjoe]

Oh no, trust me! I have had an 8 year long journey with anxiety! I've had counseling, CBT and the works! And I'm in a MUCH better place than I was last year.
I typically no longer fear my symptoms (except for last night) and just go: ah, let them pass! and it's fine.
My issue is that my body is never calm. I spoke to a friend of mine, who's a nurse, and she went on medication for a year. She explained, given how reluctant I was, that sometimes our body just needs a bit of extra help to unlearn bad habits even though our mind has done most of the work already. And even my GP said medication is not forever in most cases, I can come off them after a year. He also recommended it for me last year but i wasn't ready. But he said the same thing: sometimes your body needs the extra help

Good attitude to approach it with I think.

But, do look into the vagus nerve reaction too. It basically controls what you're experiencing a lot of the time, and diet alone can have a huge effect on that kind of triggering. Especially given the nature of the bloating and reaction you described.

Also, it might be worth reading up on the often miraculous response that some people have to a ketogenic diet when it comes to anxiety recovery.

Food plays an absurdly massive role in how we feel.

[Sparkling_Fairy]

Good attitude to approach it with I think.

But, do look into the vagus nerve reaction too. It basically controls what you're experiencing a lot of the time, and diet alone can have a huge effect on that kind of triggering. Especially given the nature of the bloating and reaction you described.

Also, it might be worth reading up on the often miraculous response that some people have to a ketogenic diet when it comes to anxiety recovery.

Food plays an absurdly massive role in how we feel.

I've noticed that! My stomach is the main issue. I have digestive issues every day. And it very much determines how I feel. I try to get everything outside done in the morning before I eat, because once I eat I feel like crap.

[ankietyjoe]

I've noticed that! My stomach is the main issue. I have digestive issues every day. And it very much determines how I feel. I try to get everything outside done in the morning before I eat, because once I eat I feel like crap.


Yep, been there. The relationship is 1:1

Looks like you've found the question, so now you need to find the answer.

For me it was keto/carnivore. I'm not dogmatic about it, but the difference it makes to my digestive and mental health is enormous.

Again, YMMV but worth looking into.

[NoraB]

Yeah, I definitely said to myself last night no more alcohol! I hadn't had anything in a while, and it was the weekend so I thought: ah, go on!

I understand, SP.... the last time I had that thought (and followed through), I was ill for a week, so now I just accept that alcohol (even in the smallest amount) isn't worth what I have to cope with afterwards...

[Sparkling_Fairy]

I understand, SP.... the last time I had that thought (and followed through), I was ill for a week, so now I just accept that alcohol (even in the smallest amount) isn't worth what I have to cope with afterwards...

Yeah, and I'd gotten some really good news at work on Friday so on Saturday I thought I'd celebrate with just one drink in my own house.
It's weird. I definitely don't always react badly to it. But I'm just in a phase right now where my body is over sensitive, and I react to anything and everything. So lesson learned, no alcohol for me for a while.
I think it was also the fact that it was rum & coke. Alcohol and caffeine combined, recipe for disaster!

[NoraB]

Yeah, and I'd gotten some really good news at work on Friday so on Saturday I thought I'd celebrate with just one drink in my own house.
It's weird. I definitely don't always react badly to it. But I'm just in a phase right now where my body is over sensitive, and I react to anything and everything. So lesson learned, no alcohol for me for a while.
I think it was also the fact that it was rum & coke. Alcohol and caffeine combined, recipe for disaster!

Do you have any allergies at all? (Hay fever etc)

[ankietyjoe]

Food for thought (no pun), but it's geniunely weird that alcohol is even legal.


Imagine a company trying to introduce a new substance to the market now that impaired speech, thought, judgement. Raised aggression, impaired ALL cognitive and physical functionality. Was addictive and contributed to most chronic illness that we recognise today. On top of that it 100% increases anxiety and depression in most poeple.

No way it would even get to market.

[Sparkling_Fairy]

Do you have any allergies at all? (Hay fever etc)

Not that I'm aware of. I think it was honestly a combination of bad drink/bad food, things that sometimes bother me all seemed to bother me at the same time. When I think about it now and ask was it really that bad, then no it wasn't really that bad.
I'm still convinced my heart was around 180, but it lasted for 20 minutes. I never felt dizzy, I never felt like I was going to pass out, I spent the entire time walking circles around my backyard barefoot to try and slow it down, which worked. But the fact I was physically able, says a lot.
Sure in the moment it was very scary. But I'm not even fearful now of it happening again, because at the end of the day it wasn't as bad as it felt in that moment.

[NoraB]

Not that I'm aware of. I think it was honestly a combination of bad drink/bad food, things that sometimes bother me all seemed to bother me at the same time. When I think about it now and ask was it really that bad, then no it wasn't really that bad.
I'm still convinced my heart was around 180, but it lasted for 20 minutes. I never felt dizzy, I never felt like I was going to pass out, I spent the entire time walking circles around my backyard barefoot to try and slow it down, which worked. But the fact I was physically able, says a lot.
Sure in the moment it was very scary. But I'm not even fearful now of it happening again, because at the end of the day it wasn't as bad as it felt in that moment.

The reason I ask is that people can become sensitive to histamine. One of the symptoms is a high heart rate, and certain foods (and drinks) are a lot higher in histamine than others...

When your system has had a chance to settle down, and you want to try alcohol again, maybe start with those which are lowest in histamine? Basically, the lighter spirits like gin and vodka etc, are lower in histamine..

I have a problem with histamine and sulphites, so I don't drink at all now; it's just not worth feeling ill for a week after half a glass..:shrug:

[WorryRaptor]

The reason I ask is that people can become sensitive to histamine. One of the symptoms is a high heart rate, and certain foods (and drinks) are a lot higher in histamine than others...

When your system has had a chance to settle down, and you want to try alcohol again, maybe start with those which are lowest in histamine? Basically, the lighter spirits like gin and vodka etc, are lower in histamine..

I have a problem with histamine and sulphites, so I don't drink at all now; it's just not worth feeling ill for a week after half a glass..:shrug:

Seconding Nora's (always wise) point. Histamine could trigger an episode of tachycardia like SVT where your hr shoots up and stays high for minutes or hours. I often get SVT when I eat or drink anything high in histamine, or anything my system has decided it hates. It first happened to me about 8 years ago after a glass of white wine. I was fine one minute, and the next, my heart just suddenly shot to 160, then stayed around 140 for a solid hour until it quickly resolved after I sneezed hard (probably accidentally did some kind of vagal manoeuvre). Now, if I drink anything with alcohol, my heartrate goes mad.

You mentioned having digestive issues and feeling awful after eating, which can also be a sign that the body is reacting to histamine.

[Sparkling_Fairy]

It happened again tonight!
No alcohol tonight and stayed away from gluten and dairy today.

But tonight my stomach suddenly started feeling really gassy. Then my heart rate went up.
Then I got cramps and had to go to the bathroom (which happened last time too) and after that my heart went even faster. Lasted for about 10 minutes.

I did actually measure it this time to see if it was around 180, but it was actually 160. That instantly calmed me down ‘cause I don’t think it’s that bad.
2 minutes later it was already at 130,

I am feeling anxious now though. I know I shouldn’t be ‘cause it’s not harmful, but my body automatically reacts with feeling anxious. I’ll just have to ride it out.

I don’t think it’s caused by anxiety. I think it might be my vagus nerve being triggered. I did try the valsalva manoeuvre but that did nothing. Just really annoying!

[ankietyjoe]

It happened again tonight!
No alcohol tonight and stayed away from gluten and dairy today.

But tonight my stomach suddenly started feeling really gassy. Then my heart rate went up.
Then I got cramps and had to go to the bathroom (which happened last time too) and after that my heart went even faster. Lasted for about 10 minutes.

I did actually measure it this time to see if it was around 180, but it was actually 160. That instantly calmed me down ‘cause I don’t think it’s that bad.
2 minutes later it was already at 130,

I am feeling anxious now though. I know I shouldn’t be ‘cause it’s not harmful, but my body automatically reacts with feeling anxious. I’ll just have to ride it out.

I don’t think it’s caused by anxiety. I think it might be my vagus nerve being triggered. I did try the valsalva manoeuvre but that did nothing. Just really annoying!

Why are you assuming 180 is bad but 160 is ok?

Your body isn't dumb enough to put you in that kind of danger.

For the record, my first major panic attack (which came out of the blue) my HR was well over 180bpm (hooked up to an ambulance ECG 20 minutes after it started) and the paramedics weren't concerned.

YOU are causing this issue by assume negative connections to something that is not dangerous.

You don't need to check your heart rate again. That's part of the anxiety behaviour.

[Sparkling_Fairy]

Why are you assuming 180 is bad but 160 is ok?

Your body isn't dumb enough to put you in that kind of danger.

For the record, my first major panic attack (which came out of the blue) my HR was well over 180bpm (hooked up to an ambulance ECG 20 minutes after it started) and the paramedics weren't concerned.

YOU are causing this issue by assume negative connections to something that is not dangerous.

You don't need to check your heart rate again. That's part of the anxiety behaviour.

I guess I think that way, because 180 is my max heart rate and I’m a bit worried if it goes above that. I always think you have a max heart rate for a reason.

I don’t normally check it by the way. I just did now to see how fast it was actually going versus what I thought

[NoraB]

You don't need to check your heart rate again. That's part of the anxiety behaviour.

Sparkling Fairy, if you take only one thing from this thread, let it be this..

[Sparkling_Fairy]

You're both right! Last night I had my first panic attack in years, showing that my anxiety levels are lot higher than I realized. It was a small one. But that's all it takes to set off a spiral.
8 years ago, my anxiety spiral started with fear over my heart. My resting heart rate for at least 2 years was 90, and the least bit I moved it shot up.
It took me years to truly believe it wasn't going to harm me, to just accept the feelings and let them play out, and eventually it stopped happening.
For the past 2 years, it went to my breathing. I hyperventilated almost every day, sometimes for 6 hours straight. Again I eventually reached a stage where I no longer cared about it, and it eventually stopped happening.
Now I'm back to my heart? WHY? It's just stupid at this point.
I REFUSE to go back down that hole of never ending fear, after I worked so hard to climb out of it. It ends today!!! I'm a firm believer of my brain caused it, my brain can stop it.
I recently turned 40 and I will not spend the rest of my life feeling this way. It's been long enough. Do your worst anxiety!!! I'm ready!

[NoraB]

I REFUSE to go back down that hole of never ending fear, after I worked so hard to climb out of it. It ends today!!! I'm a firm believer of my brain caused it, my brain can stop it.
I recently turned 40 and I will not spend the rest of my life feeling this way. It's been long enough. Do your worst anxiety!!! I'm ready!

YES, SP!! FEISTY narrative, LOVE IT. :shades:

One thing...

Your brain is responding to your anxious thoughts. It's doing what it's meant to do. The heart is supposed to race during anxiety. This is your body working as it should, except that your brain doesn't know the difference between real or imagined danger. When anxiety becomes chronic, we can experience fight or flight symptoms even when we're not actively having anxious thoughts. When I was hyper-stimulated during my breakdown, my heart rate would fly up here, there, and everywhere. It's due to the system being overstimulated, and it does take time for things to settle back down..

As unpleasant as the stress response is, try to remind yourself that this is your body trying to protect you. (Also, it's giving your ticker a good old workout)

This is how I think about fight or flight when it kicks in at 4am...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/entertainment-arts-47409017

'I'm playing all the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order". (Order being that FOF is supposed to happen when there's real danger, not when a cat farts two doors down)

:roflmao:

[Sparkling_Fairy]

Looooool, great analogy!

Yes, as I'm sitting here with a racing heart after eating a tiny bowl of granola, I remind myself it's going to take a few days, possibly weeks, for my CNS to not be overloaded. And that my stomach isn't going to digest a pea at this point, let alone any type of meal. Pounding heart, racing heart, skipped beats incoming for a while.

Aaaaaaaand relax!

[NoraB]

Looooool, great analogy!

Yes, as I'm sitting here with a racing heart after eating a tiny bowl of granola, I remind myself it's going to take a few days, possibly weeks, for my CNS to not be overloaded. And that my stomach isn't going to digest a pea at this point, let alone any type of meal. Pounding heart, racing heart, skipped beats incoming for a while.

Aaaaaaaand relax!

Digestion naturally increases heart rate. (And any kind of stimulant)

Granola can be quite sugary, can't it?

Try to restrict stimulants for the time being. I know it's a complete BORE FEST, but your system will thank you for it...:shades:

[Sparkling_Fairy]

Digestion naturally increases heart rate. (And any kind of stimulant)

Granola can be quite sugary, can't it?

Try to restrict stimulants for the time being. I know it's a complete BORE FEST, but your system will thank you for it...:shades:

It’s sugar free, gluten free granola with rice milk. It’s about as clean as you can get

[NoraB]

It’s sugar free, gluten free granola with rice milk. It’s about as clean as you can get

Artificial sweeteners?

[Sparkling_Fairy]

Artificial sweeteners?

No, it does have natural sugars in it though. Date syrup, maple syrup and orange juice. So maybe I need to avoid it for a while and go completely bland food

[NoraB]

No, it does have natural sugars in it though. Date syrup, maple syrup and orange juice.

BINGO!


So maybe I need to avoid it for a while and go completely bland food

I would. Also, I recommend you scrutinise every ingredient. As we've just proved, 'health foods' can be high in sugar...

Or, eat what you like, and just accept that your heart will bang like an old barn door in a gale. :winks:

Personally, I'd give the ol' bod some TLC for the next few months....

[Sparkling_Fairy]

BINGO!



I would. Also, I recommend you scrutinise every ingredient. As we've just proved, 'health foods' can be high in sugar...

Or, eat what you like, and just accept that your heart will bang like an old barn door in a gale. :winks:

Personally, I'd give the ol' bod some TLC for the next few months....

Yeah I’m trying the low FODMAP diet. But I’m not good yet at looking at all the ingredients. I thought: gluten free! I can eat it! I’ll have to be more detailed

[ankietyjoe]

It’s sugar free, gluten free granola with rice milk. It’s about as clean as you can get


What if I told you that granola and rice milk is practically junk food?

[Sparkling_Fairy]

What if I told you that granola and rice milk is practically junk food?

Granola I can somewhat understand. But why rice milk?

[Sparkling_Fairy]

Just to give an update: I went to my GP today to ask for some medication. I stayed away from them for 8 years and even now didn't want to go on them, but I just feel like I need the extra help.
She gave me an ECG and said all looked fine.
She didn't greatly doubt that my racing heart was caused by my anxiety, but she did think 180bpm was a bit high for that. So she's putting me on this medication, if in a month I feel better but I've had more tachycardia episodes she's going to refer me to a cardiologist just to be sure it isn't SVT (which is also benign, but might be easier treatable).

[Dee62]

What medication are you on?

[Sparkling_Fairy]

She put me on sertraline

[joycedaniels]

The medical word for a heartbeat that is greater than 100 beats per minute is tachycardia (tak-ih-KAHR-dee-uh). Tachycardia can be brought on by a wide variety of heart rhythm abnormalities (arrhythmias). Not all cases of a rapid heartbeat warrant worry. The heart rate, for instance, often increases during exercise or in response to stress.