Heart Problems and anxiety

[Nurse2b1982]

Hello everyone! Just a question about anxiety/heart problems. I was diagnosed with GAD in 2006 and it has over the years progressed to panic attacks and extreme anxiety about my health/dying. I Started having PVCs(Premature Ventricular Contractions) in January of this year out of the blue. I have had a problem where my heart was sensitive to my own adrenaline and it would race up to 200bpm when I was excited/scared/panicing. I assume that these new PVCs or "heart skips" as I call them are the result of too much stress and anxiety.
My question is: I have had a script for BuSpar in my nightstand for about 6 months or more and I am too scared to take it. I am scared that it will cause side effects on my heart. Does anyone have any suggestions/experience with this?

[JM517]

Hi! I have GAD and within the last 6 months I've been having heart palpitations (most likely due partly to anxiety).  I was put on the 24 hour holter monitor and was found to have an ectopic heartbeat (skipped beats).  I do have tachycardia from time to time, been to the ER twice with 150+ beats per minute.  I agree with nursegirl that a beta blocker maybe a good option for you, my dr suggested this for me too should my palpitations get worse.  My palpitations definitely get worse when I am extremely anxious or under a lot of stress and while I am not fond of meds either I do take xanax .5mg when my anxiety is at its worst and it definitely helps.  My suggestion is to see your dr again and maybe seek therapy for the anxiety and when your anxiety is really bad, take the meds.  I was given ativan during one of my trips to the ER for the "heart skips" as you call them and it helped tremendously.  Good luck and I hope it gets better for you! I know how scary it can be.  Keep us posted! :)

[Nurse2b1982]

Hi! Thank you for your reply. I am currently taking Metoprolol Succinate 12.5 once a day for the PVCs because my Dr. said I had about 4,000 or so in one day. This medication makes me feel tired and like I can't breathe(could be the anxiety tho). I am seeing a counseler for the anxiety but my primary doc is the one who gave me the script. I just feel like I am spiraling out of control these last few days...I don't know why but I feel as though my anxiety has kicked in high gear....I have been having sweaty palms, feeling like I can't breathe, constant dizziness, brain fog, and of course...the ever present feeling of doom. I should mention that the BuSpar is filled and I also have a bottle of Ativan that they gave me....but of course, I have been too scared to take either.
Can u tell me if those symtoms I mentioned are anxiety symptoms? Especially the dizziness because i have been checked out and so far nothing is abnormal except for the tachycardia(on ocassion) and the PVCs.
I am still on a waiting list for the "p-doc" (it seems he is in high demand)

[nursegirl6572]

Hello and welcome!  It sounds as though you have significant enough anxiety that you got the script for Buspar. Obviously, with it being that old, I doubt that the Pharmacy will fill it for you...plus it may be better just to start over again and reevaluate your symptoms with your doctor.  When you were Rx'ed the Buspar, was it your PCP, or a p-doc?  You should really see a p-doc as they are a bit more up with the meds and treatment options.

With your benign heart symptoms (which are very commonplace with anxiety), in my opinion, there are probably better options for you.  One, being a beta blocker, like Inderal. It has some anti-anxiety properties and would also help to alleviate the PVC's. That is something you should ask your doc about.

Why not start over...ask your doc for a referral to a pdoc and see what kind of suggestions he/she has for you?  Also, therapy in addition to medications is paramount.  It will help you learn coping techniques for the anxiety/panic.  Meds help to relieve symptoms...but learning how to actually cope with the symptoms is priceless.

Best of luck, let us know how you're doing!