Rapid Heart Rate and Palpitations with GAD

I had these same symptoms for several years. I got out of a toxic relationship, and moved out of the south back to Alaska because I had year round allergies. I started exercising every day and changed to a healthier diet. I also stopped drinking alcohol as much. Most of my panic attacks went away after all of these changes. I had them so bad that I’d have them in my sleep. I’ve had such bad heart palps that my heart would surge and pound so hard that it legit hurt and would wake me up. I never wanted to go on meds for it so I just had to make those changes to better my life. This may not be possible for everyone but remember that small steps in the right direction are key. My first panic attack was really bad and I had it while driving. So every time I drove my body associated them with driving. I had them every day all day because I drove for work. I know it seems like there’s no end in sight and everyday is torture. Hang in there and talk to your doctor. Just do your research on your options and the risks with certain meds. 🫶🏽

My panic attacks get extremely bad. One time, I had a panic attack so bad my heart was pounding so hard and going so fast I legit thought it was going to explode. The next day I took my blood pressure and it was 180 over 110 (that is EXTREMELY high, especially for my age). I went to the doctors and they told me it was because of the panic attack. My panic attacks usually consist of rapid heartbeats and heart palpitations. Sometimes my heart is beating so fast and hard it makes me dizzy and I feel like I might pass out. I'm completely healthy and so is my heart. When you have a panic attack, lots of adrenaline is released into your system. It's your fight or flight response. Having GAD means that response can come at any time, even if you aren't in any danger. You're alarm bells are going off yet you are laying comfortably in bed safe and sound. I have developed some coping mechanisms to help me through it and the main thing is to distract yourself. Play games on your phone or watch funny videos. My therapist instructed me to listen to music that will lower your bpm (beats per minute) because your heart rate can actually synch to music!

I found propranolol helped me with that as it’s a beta blocker

Do your heart palpitations stem from your anxiety or do you get anxiety due to your heart palpitations?

Yeah, I used to but not so much anymore. I like my Fitbit because i Can monitor my heart rate. Sometimes it feels like my heart is beating really fast and it’s actually not. Idk it’s nice to see what my heart rate is at. Stopping caffeine helped me but yeah I know it’s my fight or flight response so I don’t get worried about it really.

Yes. It was so bad I was put on a beta blocker to help. It made a huge difference.

Anxiety is a fight or flight response, and I've heard that if you tense up ALL of your muscles for a little bit and then release it tricks your body into thinking you've "fought the threat". I've done it a couple times and it works okay for me, I've had more success with mindfulness exercises though