Can anxiety cause palpitations
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Can Anxiety Cause Palpitations?
Understanding Palpitations and Their Causes
Palpitations are characterized by an awareness of the heartbeat, often described as a strong, skipping, fluttering, racing, pounding, thudding, or jumping sensation in the chest. These sensations can sometimes be accompanied by a feeling of needing to cough or having one's breath taken away . While palpitations are generally benign and often caused by premature atrial or ventricular beats or stress-induced sinus tachycardia, they can also be linked to more serious arrhythmias in rare cases 45.
Anxiety as a Common Cause of Palpitations
Anxiety is a well-documented cause of palpitations. Studies have shown that up to a third of palpitations have psychological origins, including anxiety, stress, and panic disorders . The American Heart Association also lists anxiety as a potential trigger for palpitations, alongside other factors such as strenuous exercise, excessive smoking, alcohol and caffeine intake, medications, and recreational drugs .
Impact of Anxiety-Induced Palpitations on Quality of Life
Palpitations can significantly impact an individual's quality of life, particularly when they are associated with anxiety. Research indicates that palpitations can lead to disturbing symptoms, increased anxiety, depression, and a decreased health-related quality of life (HRQOL) 46. For instance, a study involving 913 women with palpitations found that these symptoms were often benign but still caused significant anxiety and depression, which in turn affected their overall well-being .
Managing Anxiety and Palpitations
Effective management of palpitations often involves addressing the underlying anxiety. Continuous event recorders (CERs) and instant electrocardiogram (ECG) feedback have been shown to help reduce symptoms and improve HRQOL by providing immediate analysis and reassurance to patients 36. For example, the use of a handheld ECG device connected to a smartphone allowed for real-time monitoring and feedback, which significantly reduced anxiety and depression among participants .
Conclusion
In summary, anxiety is a common and significant cause of palpitations. While these palpitations are generally benign, they can lead to considerable distress and impact an individual's quality of life. Addressing the underlying anxiety through monitoring and feedback mechanisms can help alleviate symptoms and improve overall well-being.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
P6574Symptomatic palpitations causing anxiety in women, what are the underlying arrhythmias
Most symptomatic palpitations in women are benign, but in 5% previously undiagnosed atrial fibrillation or supraventricular tachycardia are found.
Instant electrocardiogram feedback with a new digital technique reduces symptoms caused by palpitations and increases health-related quality of life (the RedHeart study).
Instant ECG feedback during palpitations reduces symptoms, anxiety, and depression, and improves health-related quality of life in women.
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Independent association of palpitation with vasomotor symptoms and anxiety in middle-aged women
Palpitation in middle-aged women is associated with vasomotor symptoms and anxiety, rather than age, menopause, heart rate, arrhythmia, autonomic nervous system activity, caffeine, or alcohol consumption.
Relationship Between Palpitation and Mental Health
Palpitation is a common symptom in psychiatric disorders like anxiety and somatization disorders, and considering psychiatric causes may lead to more effective treatment of benign palpitations.
Anxiety and palpitations in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) and the added value of remote monitoring (RM) in the COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian single-centre experience
During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices experienced anxiety and palpitations, and remote monitoring helped identify arrhythmic events and device malfunctioning.
DOI