Heart palpitations?

Thomas Barnes2 said:I am in the same boat, my friends. It seems to be a common thread among many of us. These heart palpitations started appearing for me about four or five years ago. I have undergone numerous cardiac evaluations, and everything comes back perfectly normal. My heart is healthy, yet this sensation of skipping beats simply refuses to subside. For a period, my physician prescribed Lexapro; while I was taking it for about a year, I didn't experience a single episode. I eventually stopped the medication, under the impression that I was cured, only for it to return a couple of months later. At this stage, I am reluctant to resume the medication due to its other side effects. I recognize that lifestyle factors play a role, but altering one's fundamental habits is not an easy feat. Perhaps it is simply a matter of nature over nurture. Three different cardiologists have told me the same thing—that there is nothing to fear and my heart is structurally sound—but the anxiety remains whenever it happens. Does anyone know of a solution, or perhaps a way to help me overcome this fear?

There is no need to be afraid... I am a commercial pilot, and during a routine medical exam in March 2008, they discovered this too. They assured me it wasn't serious and cleared me to continue flying. It happened again this February, though less frequently, so they decided to send me for an expedited Holter monitor and a specialist consultation just to rule out any structural issues. If all is clear, I will be back in the cockpit. However, I had a child at the end of 2007, and the strain is significant; my wife and baby are settled in Chicago, but my work takes me to Dallas. I suspect the stress is the primary culprit. Believe me, dealing with various personalities in this profession creates constant tension. It has reached a point where I am considering resigning, despite the competitive salary, especially since I am still tied down by a mortgage. I have a follow-up with the cardiologist next week, so I should have more clarity then.

Grace Martin9, thanks for the comforting post. I know deep down it’s all just stress, but... I definitely notice that after a stressful day, the palpitations follow the next morning. When I actually get enough sleep, rest, and "try not to get worked up over every little thing," they aren't there. I’m trying to work on myself so I don't worry quite so much—I can be a bit complicated (well, simple, really). It’s hard to explain. That's probably why this keeps happening. I want everything to be perfect, and then I end up tearing myself apart because of it. I need to find more time for myself. If I do, everyone around me will benefit too, since the skipping heartbeats will likely happen less often, and I'll feel better overall.

I completely agree that we need to find ways to lower our stress levels, but let’s be honest—none of us chose to live this way. For some people, a high-stress lifestyle is just their baseline reality. Hilton, the most important thing is realizing that these sensations are actually harmless. They feel incredibly uncomfortable, sure, but they aren't life-threatening. I'm 20 years old, and for the last two years, I've dealt with my heart "skipping beats." It's all tied to my panic disorder; it doesn't just happen during stressful moments, but sometimes even when I'm just anticipating that it's going to happen. Now that I know my heart is physically healthy, I feel much more at peace, but there are still times when I'll get exhausted and start worrying that the palpitations will kick in simply because I'm tired—and then, lo and behold, they do. It’s so often linked to your mental state; the less you dwell on it, the better you feel. I've been doing okay for months now, but I'll probably have a few episodes today just because, well, here I am reading about it...😁