Ask a doctor on the topic of General medicine

heart

December 2, 2012 | 15,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

I occasionally have palpitations and fluttering in my heart. My general practitioner says it's normal, but I have to mention that it was much worse a year ago. Now I only have them weekly. A lot happened a year ago - moving to a new apartment, the death of my guinea pig. As a child, I often experienced a quick heartbeat that made me hold my breath, and then it was gone just as quickly. I've had numerous EKGs over the years, even a heart ultrasound in 2007, as well as long-term blood pressure monitoring and blood tests, all without any findings related to my heart. I've never had any issues with my heart. Even two years ago, my EKG and blood tests were normal. I've recently been to my GP and everything was fine. I feel great, I can do anything, I never feel dizzy, and I am very productive. My skin is always rosy. However, I do have severe psychological problems and have always been mentally ill. I am a hypochondriac and have to take citalopram. I also see a psychologist. Yesterday, my heart started fluttering again after several days, with a few normal beats, some fast beats, and then back to normal. Every time this happens, I am so scared that there might be something wrong. What should I do?

Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Good evening,

I am a bit concerned now: You have already asked this question before, and I have answered it for you. Then, I believe, my colleague Dr. Hamann wrote to you on the same topic.

As you have probably noticed, it only helps you temporarily when we tell you not to worry. You have heard this advice from other colleagues on other sites dozens of times.

Like the others, I advised you to consult with your psychiatrist to make a better adjustment to your medication for anxiety. It is likely that a change or an increase in dosage is necessary. No examination or advice in the world will give you certainty about your own body if you do not work on it psychiatrically. And in terms of physical activity: the more you train your body, the less you will feel the extra heartbeats that we all have, and the more secure you will be regarding your own health.

Please take care of this tomorrow!

Best regards, Dr. Frauke Höllering, Specialist in Internal Medicine and General Medicine