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What Is The Cause Of Palpitations And Chest Tightness In Winter That Aggravates With Stress And Anxiety ?
I am getting heart palpitations in the winter. This is the third or fourth winter that it happens. I am feeling like my heart is bearing very hard and eventually this causes a feeling of tenseness or tightness on the left side of my chest which then starts to radiate even into my arm and the left side of my back. This usually goes away in the spring and I feel fine the rest of the year. I had my heart checked ( EKG , stress test) and nothing unusual was found (although this checkup was done in the fall when I was not feeling the palpitations). The palpitations seem to get worse when I am feeling stress or anxiety . I am a 35 year old male, nonsmoker, normal weight, try to exercise on a regular basis. I am going to get this checked out by a doctor but just wanted to get an opinion on what this could be. Thanks. Like I said, I find it strange that this only happens in the winter.
posted on
Thu, 9 Feb 2012
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 9 Feb 2012
Answered on
Fri, 6 Apr 2012
Last reviewed on
Hi Artlinnik,
Welcome to HCM Forum.
From symptoms u experiencing with normal EKG and Stress Test indicates most probably you having Panic Attacks.
This is kind of anxiety disorder usually occurs in episodes --characterised by Palpitation,Chest tightness,breathlessness,tingling numbness in limbs,coldness of extremity,dryness of mouth and impending doom.
These panic attacks usually occurs without any precipitant but can be aggrevated by stress and anxiety,extreme change of weather.
Underlying reason for this is change in chemical in the brain.
So If after thorough checkup, physician doesnt find any cardiac problem pls consult to Nearest psychiatrist -He will definately help you to get releif from this problem
Welcome to HCM Forum.
From symptoms u experiencing with normal EKG and Stress Test indicates most probably you having Panic Attacks.
This is kind of anxiety disorder usually occurs in episodes --characterised by Palpitation,Chest tightness,breathlessness,tingling numbness in limbs,coldness of extremity,dryness of mouth and impending doom.
These panic attacks usually occurs without any precipitant but can be aggrevated by stress and anxiety,extreme change of weather.
Underlying reason for this is change in chemical in the brain.
So If after thorough checkup, physician doesnt find any cardiac problem pls consult to Nearest psychiatrist -He will definately help you to get releif from this problem
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