Anyone Else Get Palpitations?

[livergirl70]

I must admit it does sometimes feel like you are going to have a heart attack, but once you know it is panic, you can breathe and calm yourself down. I carry a paper bag with me in case it gets too bad and that seems to work

 

[Aine]

I get palpitations all the time too. Especially if I've been drinking. I guess the only thing I could advise would be to not drink alcohol because it makes your body work really hard to get rid of it and make sure you eat regularly so that your heart doesn't have to work too hard.

When it gets really bad, I usually meditate or take a nap. It seems to help for a little while, anyway

 

[Gamereign555]

I swore I was having heart issues at first, but expensive tests ruled that out. My heart would literally be leaping out of my chest and every doctor would tell me that my vitals were NORMAL! Lately Im rather inactive physically after losing my job, so im starting to experience similar symptoms lately. It seemed unusual to me at first, but one of my main triggers is lying down, particularly to sleep and sitting down, particular for longer periods.

I'll experience chest tightness/heaviness, feeling like im not getting enough air, sometimes chest pains, sometimes tingling/numbness in nose/face or hands and without fail every time I feel as though my heart is beating irregularly. I would and still do tend to focus on the beating of my heart while im trying to sleep, resulting in the inability to get to sleep very well.

I kind of think that the heart thing is associated with the heightened alertness/awareness of some sufferers, a large portion of the human population has a heart beat that speeds up when you inhale and slows down when you exhale and some more than others, and the heightened awareness does the rest..literally making you hear your heart beat through your ear on the pillow... Of course you should always get a suspected irregularity checked out. Still if its causing you sleep difficulty, short of perscription drugs if your not already taking certain meds, even if you are and still experience it. What works for me is I take a shower, cold/hot/cold/hot if you want then listen to music.

And of course I feel and hear my heartbeat far more on left ear than my right, so try falling asleep on your right side if your a side sleeper. Anyway not claiming to be an expert because Im new to this myself, just saying what works for me. And I bet when I find myself another job (knock on wood) Ill see my symptoms fade once again, wouldnt want to leave out physical activity either thats obviously very important. Too little activity for too long will worsen my symptoms and make me want to be active less and less, I was in such bad shape once I could barely walk to my mailbox.

 

[Spero3]

My heart feels like it is always beating faster and stronger than it should. But, my heart is healthy and I am in good physical shape. I have a constant, low-grade anxiety that rarely leaves except maybe when I successfully meditate. That dissipates the anxiety for sometimes a couple hours.

One interesting thing about working out is that running triggers anxiety. I can do aerobics, fast walk, yoga, pilates, hike, bike, etc. and I am fine. But, when I try to run the hard breathing makes meI feel worse. I feel anxious. Why I can fast walk or bike or do other aerobic activities and not get triggered I don't know. Anytone have any ideas about this?

Spero

 

[gidge]

I have the same thing, often wake up to find my heart is racing for no reason. After numerous checks has been found to be just a fast heart beat prob related to anxiety. They did suggest beta blockers too but I wasnt keen on that idea.

Another trick you can try when this happens is hold your nose and breath out so ears unblock, sometimes works for me, sometimes not, but is less scary then the bucket of cold water.

 

[Spero3]

What if my ears aren't blocked? Doesn't that hurt? :)

 

[Tinyflame]

I don't usually get that, just racing sometimes for no reason, but today// all night it is as tho one beat is super-strong, like a 'thump' out of the blue, maybe just once or twice an hour. And am sick to my stomach every hour or 2.
Also am going to try the cold water because I feel 'hot' from the inside-out, if that makes sense?

 

[charliehotelwhiskey]

Hi J-Diz,

First thing.

Don't adjust your dosage level without consulting your doctor.

I had paplitations some years ago. I was very scared when it happen the first time. My doctor checked me out and my heart was okay.



I used deep breathing exercises, physical exercises, and meditation to get through them. Also, with the help of my doctor, it was determined that the Paxil I was on was no longer working for me and switched to a different medication.

I never tried the cold water treatment. But after reading some of the posts on this thread, I remembered a technique firefigthers used when they get overheated on a fire scene. They emerge their arms into troughs of ice water. Since the blood flows close to the skin in the arms, it helps to cool the body's temperature quickly, so it should have the same affect of placing your head into a bucket. I don't know if this would work with the palpitations, its been some time I had one, but I would find it a lot better then sticking my face into a bucket.

Take Care

CHW

 

[gidge]

No holding your nose and breathing out until ur ears pop doesnt hurt, and I would much rather do this any day then the bucket of cold water.

 

[Spero3]

No holding your nose and breathing out until ur ears pop doesnt hurt, and I would much rather do this any day then the bucket of cold water.

The bucket of cold water is too chilly for me! ;)

 

[Adrienne12]

Spero,

I have terrible panic attacks and I run. Sometimes...my heart rate going up can trigger one while running but rarely because I remain very focused. I listen to my music and just concentrate on my body moving. I will concentrate on my legs and how the muscles feel etc. I dunno..sounds weird but works for me. Running is what helps keep me sane. I sleep better, eat better and feel better when I am. If you think you are going to have a panic attack when running...you will. I know this is difficult and easier said than done but focusing is the only thing that works for me.

 

[Lucycat]

Hi
Palpitations is simply being aware of your heart beat. I say 'simply', because what I mean is that it does not necesarily mean that your heart is going any faster than normal. It just feels like it because you are aware of every beat.

The cold water treatment will slow down your heart rate but it may not need to be slowed down!

I suffer from palpitations a lot, and yes it can go on for hours and can keep me awake at night. Relaxation is the key... oh, isn't that easy to say:whistling:? I certainly cannot relax on demand. I usually try to distract myself and accept that eventually it will stop. Sometimes I get lightheaded and giddy with it, so I sit down. But I know that it will not harm me.

I am having palpitations now as I write this. Just thinking about it has triggered it again!