Chronic Anxiety and Exercise, how does it effect the heart ?

RichA · medicine forum beginner Joined: 05 Jun 2005 Posts: 34

Initially, my doctor thought I have acute anxiety, but now we both seem
to think it's actually chronic. In addition, it appears that I may be
mildly bipolar.

My doctor says that my heart is beating too fast as measured with holter
monitor, so her prescribed Seroquel. Since being on the Seroquel, I
have worn an aerobic heart monitor and my heart rate is overall faster
than before in resting phase. I also compared the results before with
the same monitor and my heart rate was slower.

In addition, I am reluctant to do any exercise like jogging or using the
treadmill because my heart rate is high. I am thinking that it is
better if I just rest since my heart works so hard at work or when I go
out.

My doc has not suggested any relaxing techniques or referred me to
anyone else he can help with behavioral modification.

Comments?

Thanks

Susan James · medicine forum beginner Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

"Sam" <none@none.com> wrote in message
news:y1btg.159810$Mn5.31896@pd7tw3no...

nospam7@heartmdphd.com · medicine forum Guru Joined: 27 Dec 2005 Posts: 470

Sam wrote:

nef5ht2a · medicine forum beginner Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 1

"Comments?"

I have no comments, but do have a few questions, if you'd not mind
answering...

What is your resting heart rate now? What was it before initiating
this treatment? Is it causing you symptoms? What is your resting
heart rate after 15 minutes supine on a recliner or similar position of
comfort? What type of medical specialty is this physician who is
treating your heart rate?

G

Sam wrote:

RichA · medicine forum beginner Joined: 05 Jun 2005 Posts: 34

Susan James wrote:
: ask your doctor about the exercise ... if not contraindicated, it
: might be of some help ...

I asked him and his response was if I had any attacks while exercising.
I told him no, then it *should* be ok. However, common sense tells me
that if you start stressing an overworked muscle then you're asking for
trouble.
:
: trying relaxation techniques surely cannot hurt anything; this is
: something you could try on your own if you don't want to or can't see
: a professional ... we don't necessarily need a doctor for *everything*

Recommendations on techniques? Perhaps links with illustrations? I hear
people talking about it, but I have yet to see anyone actually do it
properly.

RichA · medicine forum beginner Joined: 05 Jun 2005 Posts: 34

Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD wrote:
: : A high resting heart rate (more than 90 beats per minute for an
adult)
: can be caused by many things other than anxiety.

My doc has been quite good about getting me tested. Anxiety is
definitely, a key component to my high heart rate; however, the Seroquel
has an increased heart rate as a side-effect which worries me.
:
:
: Would suggest you seek a second opinion and possibly a referral to
: consult with a cardiologist.

I will ask him when he gets back into town, he's on holidays right now.
Is a cardiologist necessary even though the day monitor showed no
anomolies except high heart rate (always under stress), I am [virtually]
always under stress or anxiety.

seatosummit28@yahoo.com · medicine forum beginner Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 6

I have a chronic social anxiety condition. I have been on seroquel for
about 2 yrs. The seroquel only works for about 2 weeks max before you
need a higher dose. Now I cant sleep if i stop seroquel. I would avoid
all anti-anxiety meds if your anxiety is chronic.

Dont take a label like mildly bipolar seriously. It has no meaning.
When you are anxious that is sort of like being high so your highs will
be higher and your lows will be lower than a normal person. Instead of
lows you might just have insomnia or a general malaise.

What is causing your anxiety. Breathing and meditation are helpful. You
need to know you can control your anxiety. Jogging etc is fine but take
it easy in the beginning.
If you are anxious you have the tendency to run faster than you should
in the beginning. Walking is the best if you just want to calm
yourself.

Get used of the fact that the doctors know zero.

Sam wrote:

la agua fresca · medicine forum beginner Joined: 06 Jun 2006 Posts: 3

I heard Tai Chi, the ancient exercise techniques, is good for those who
have heart problem. It require less aerobic fitness.

Too bad, I don't have any links or whatsoever.

Hope you'll get it, anyway.

Cheers,
La Agua Fresca
http://aguafresca.healthifica.com

Sam wrote:

GFX · medicine forum beginner Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 5

So essentially, what I'm garnering from this is that your physician has
given you a thumbs up on exercising. You are, on the other hand, reticent
to overwork your heart. That doesn't seem like an entirely unreasonable
thought, but one can certainly get some activity without overworking
anything.

Get a walkman, make a CD, tape, whatever (mp3 is for those born after some
date, unknown to me...) and put all your favorite tunes on there.
Seriously, pick all the ones you really like, and put them on there. Then
walk up your street, assuming you don't live in Fort Apache, for about 10
minutes or so (wear a watch, have your cell phone alarm on vibrate mode -
whatever it takes to get YOU to know that ten minutes has elapsed) and then
walk back. While you're walking, consider nothing but what you feel like
thinking about while listening to some tunes. This can be remarkably
helpful, and you don't even have to walk fast - just consuming your brain
with an activity that is not anxiety-provoking, has a possibly fun element -
that will give you respite from being "constantly" stressed. No one should
be constantly stressed, and if you find that you can't change that, I'd take
a very serious look at how your life is set up - because it's a set-up to
put you in a box WAY too soon.

I realize it doesn't get any more blunt than that, but being stressed out
all the time, having cardiac complications from it - not much sucks more
than that - so I'd seriously contemplate how I was going to totally ditch
that entire situation; it is unacceptable, no matter how much they're paying
you. Incidentally, I speak from experience (plenty) and did not just read
this in some book.

G

Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD · medicine forum Guru Joined: 25 Mar 2005 Posts: 8540

Sam wrote:

Susan James · medicine forum beginner Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

"Sam" <none@none.com> wrote in message
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seatosummit28@yahoo.com · medicine forum beginner Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 6

http://www.anxieties.com/panic-step5c.php

Sam wrote:

Cardinal Numbaz · medicine forum Guru Joined: 05 Dec 2005 Posts: 323

la agua fresca wrote:

Philip Peters · medicine forum beginner Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

Sam wrote:

Philip Peters · medicine forum beginner Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

seatosummit28@yahoo.com wrote:

Google