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What Causes High Heart Beat And Anxiety?
Hi! I am a 60 year old female and my blood pressure is 112 over 68 (it's always been low) and pulse is 75. Does this sound correct? I have been experiencing bouts of rapid heart beat and I have been feeling anxious lately. I admit to some personal problems (probably stress is involved) and I do drink coffee although I have switched to 1/2 decaf. Otherwise, my health is very good. I do not take any medications. Thank you!
posted on
Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 15 Aug 2015
Answered on
Mon, 17 Aug 2015
Last reviewed on
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
I read your question carefully and understand your concern.
First, I would like to say that your blood pressure and pulse values are within the normal limits for a healthy person.
Your symptoms seem to be related to anxiety.
But a cardiac arrhythmia can not be excluded too. It is normal to have some palpitations and ectopic heart beats during physical activity or anxiety.
From the other hand cardiac arrhythmia and anxiety are bidirectionally connected.
I recommend performing an ambulatory 24 hour ECG monitoring, a routine blood test, thyroid hormone levels, kidney and liver function test, blood electrolytes, to exclude other causes of your symptomatology.
If all the above tests result normal, there is nothing to worry about : just anxiety.
In that case psychotherapy would be helpful, besides avoiding caffeine in your food and a healthy diet!
Best wishes!
Dr. Iliri
Thank you for asking on HCM!
I read your question carefully and understand your concern.
First, I would like to say that your blood pressure and pulse values are within the normal limits for a healthy person.
Your symptoms seem to be related to anxiety.
But a cardiac arrhythmia can not be excluded too. It is normal to have some palpitations and ectopic heart beats during physical activity or anxiety.
From the other hand cardiac arrhythmia and anxiety are bidirectionally connected.
I recommend performing an ambulatory 24 hour ECG monitoring, a routine blood test, thyroid hormone levels, kidney and liver function test, blood electrolytes, to exclude other causes of your symptomatology.
If all the above tests result normal, there is nothing to worry about : just anxiety.
In that case psychotherapy would be helpful, besides avoiding caffeine in your food and a healthy diet!
Best wishes!
Dr. Iliri
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