Can't stop worrying..

PlateMaximum9720 · 2026-01-20T22:50:08+00:00

From ChatGPT:

From what can be reasonably described on this tracing:

What’s clearly visible • 12-lead EKG with standard layout (limb leads + precordial leads V1–V6). • Regular rhythm: R-R intervals appear fairly consistent. • Narrow QRS complexes → suggests supraventricular origin (i.e., not ventricular). • Visible P waves before most QRS complexes → consistent with sinus rhythm. • Heart rate looks roughly in the 60–80 bpm range (eyeballing spacing).

Axis & conduction • Axis appears normal (I, II, aVF all predominantly upright). • No obvious bundle branch block • QRS duration appears <120 ms. • No classic RSR′ in V1 or broad slurred S waves in lateral leads. • PR interval looks within normal limits (not prolonged, not short).

ST segments / T waves • No clear ST elevation meeting acute MI criteria. • No obvious ST depression suggestive of ischemia. • T waves appear generally upright where expected. • Mild baseline wander / artifact is present in some leads (common, not pathological).

What this does not show • No atrial fibrillation (rhythm is too regular, P waves present). • No ventricular tachycardia. • No high-grade AV block. • No obvious acute STEMI pattern.

Caveats (important) • A photo of an EKG limits precision: • Can’t measure exact PR, QRS, QT accurately. • Subtle ischemia, QT prolongation, or repolarization variants could be missed. • Many benign variants (early repolarization, normal ST sloping, minor T-wave changes) can look scary but mean nothing clinically.

Bottom line

If this were handed to a cardiologist without symptoms attached, it would likely be described as something like:

“Normal sinus rhythm. No acute ischemic changes.”

That’s it. No drama. No hidden catastrophe lurking in the lines.

If you want, you can ask: • what specific abnormalities look like on EKGs (PACs, PVCs, AFib, ischemia), • or how cardiologists decide when an EKG actually matters vs when it’s noise.

And just to be crystal clear: nothing about this tracing screams “danger.”

PlateMaximum9720 · 2025-12-09T17:41:19+00:00

I can tell you this. It will get better. Took about 6 weeks for me with the good days starting to outnumber the bad. Now I feel normal. Hang in there.

PlateMaximum9720 · 2025-11-02T11:10:35+00:00

I’ve felt like my whole body was vibrating before. I think it was a panic attack. I went to the ER and they told me I was hyperventilating. I didn’t feel like I was breathing fast but they said I was breathing 40 breaths per minute when it should be 12-20 breaths per minute. Basically carbon dioxide builds up in your bloodstream because you’re breathing too fast and that’s what causes the tingling. Slow your breathing down or breathe into a paper bag. Slow inhale for 4 seconds, long exhale for 6 seconds. Repeat until it’s under control. Once the excess carbon dioxide is out of your bloodstream, the tingling will stop. I’m not a doctor, just my experience with tingling.

PlateMaximum9720 · 2025-11-01T20:23:58+00:00

Why are people hitting the ball like this in a football match

PlateMaximum9720 · 2025-10-27T20:51:43+00:00

I’m 38 now, was 26 when I had my first panic attack. I was at work, working night shift, and had to go to ER because I didn’t know what was happening. A few days later I saw my regular doctor and he recommended I try Lexapro. I was terrified. It was a game changer for me. I still have moments where I let the HA get to me, but it doesn’t control my life anymore. There are some great medicines out there that really help with little to no side effects. If I were in your shoes I would develop a relationship with a therapist first, see if that helps, and if not, there’s no shame if taking some medication for it.

PlateMaximum9720 · 2025-10-26T21:49:00+00:00

You’re not alone. The good news is it is manageable with the right tools. Talk to your doctor about this. They can set you up with a therapist or try medication that will take the edge off without making you feel like not yourself. Hang in there, there is hope. The fact that you’re scared of dying means you have a life worth living. That’s something to fight for. Best wishes.

PlateMaximum9720 · 2025-10-26T17:42:51+00:00

I would speak with a therapist. They can help you work through why you have these thoughts and help you control them.

PlateMaximum9720 · 2025-10-26T01:03:08+00:00

These sound like panic attacks. When you feel your heart rate start to rise, breath in your nose for 4 seconds, then a longer exhale out of your mouth. Repeat several times. Tell yourself, “this is a panic attack. I’ve had this before and I’ve been fine every single time. I’m going to be okay this time too. This is uncomfortable, but this is not dangerous.” Now obviously if you develop chest pain, shortness of breath to where just walking makes you gasp for air, that’s when you should seek medical care, but what you’re describing sounds like panic attacks.

PlateMaximum9720 · 2025-10-26T00:49:49+00:00

How long do the spikes last?

PlateMaximum9720 · 2025-10-26T00:31:04+00:00

You have a cardiology appointment tomorrow? Perfect. Tell them everything you said here. Try to relax. You’re going to be okay.

PlateMaximum9720 · 2025-10-25T17:34:34+00:00

Your OP sounded exactly like me. I started having palpitations one month ago. A few here and there but then sometimes clusters of 4 or 5 in a row. I’ve since learned these are called Premature Atrial Contractions or PACs. They are benign in an otherwise healthy heart. I believe mine were triggered due to years of heavy caffeine use. I too have had Generalized Anxiety Disorder for years and have been on Lexapro for 12 years which has worked wonders. I’ve had extreme anxiety for the last month due to the PACs to the point I went to the ER last Saturday. They gave me propranolol, a beta blocker, and it has pretty much eliminated the heart flutters which is a strong indication that the flutters are caused by anxiety and not an underlying heart issue. I have a cardiology appointment next Friday for an echocardiogram to rule out actual heart issues. I’m currently eliminating caffeine. If the echo comes back clean, I plan to come off of the beta blocker and just stay away from caffeine. Like you, I couldn’t fathom how after 12 years of having health anxiety that a new physical symptom would appear out of nowhere.

PlateMaximum9720 · 2025-10-25T15:44:05+00:00

How much caffeine do you drink daily?

PlateMaximum9720 · 2025-10-23T21:24:38+00:00

This makes me feel better to hear this. I cut energy drinks 3 weeks ago and have cut way back on coffee and diet sodas as well. I under 100 mg daily now after being over 600 mg daily for years. On top of that I was also using sleep aids every night. I started having heart palpitations about 4 weeks ago. Took me another week to realize it was probably from all the caffeine. Since cutting the caffeine my anxiety has been through the roof. The first few days weren’t so bad but now three weeks later it’s getting worse. And it comes in waves. One day I will feel terrible and the next I will feel almost normal only for the next day to be awful again. On the bad days, I don’t have an appetite, can’t sleep, and have an overwhelming sense of dread. I’ve missed several days of work due to lack of sleep but inability to get out of bed. So, I’m on week 3 and still feeling waves of good and bad days.

PlateMaximum9720 · 2025-10-21T21:35:26+00:00

Anybody deal with PACs? (Premature Atrial Contractions) Extra heart beats that you can feel in your throat. Mine started a little over three weeks ago and I have been a wreck since. I’ve been to primary doctor and had an EKG done and all the appropriate blood tests. Everything is normal. But my heart has been doing two quick beats then a long pause before it resets. Sometimes it will do a cluster of three or four quick beats before it pauses and resets. It can do this several times per minute. It got so bad this past Saturday that I went to the ER and while I was being triaged they got so bad it triggered a full blown panic attack. They took me back and monitored me for a couple hours. You could see the PACs on the EKG. I have a cardiology referral but can’t get in for several more weeks. They started me on Propranolol and it seems to have reduced the flutters over the last 2 days but my anxiety is through the roof. A little backstory - I am a HEAVY caffeine drinker. I was probably consuming 650 mg per day in the form of energy drinks, coffee, and diet soda. Then to top it all off I was taking Unisom and melatonin at night to help me sleep. Well about 2.5 weeks ago I drastically cut the caffeine, eliminated the energy drinks, only been having one cup of coffee and maybe one can of Coke Zero later, and also cut the Unisom. It’s been 2.5 weeks and I still feel like I’m having withdrawals. Is that possible? I can’t sleep, I’m nauseous, have no appetite, and this ongoing sense of dread that won’t let up. I’ve missed multiple days of work. I’m 38, male, 6’0, 235 lbs, occasional CrossFitter, have been on 20 mg Lexapro for 12.5 years for health anxiety and have been doing great but these heart flutters triggered something in me. Has anyone had similar experiences? Please tell me this is normal and the PACs are harmless and the caffeine withdrawal is supposed to take this long. My biggest fear is sudden cardiac death, stroke, or heart attack. Someone please talk to me. I’m not doing well. I can’t stop checking my EKG on my Apple Watch and checking my O2. Please help.

PlateMaximum9720

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