I was having a very rapid heart rate this morning and heavy breathing and wasn't sure if I was having an anxiety attack (which I do occasionally get) or heart problems. Does anyone else have anxiety problems and how do you know which is which? Sometimes the symptoms are so similar.

if your heart rate breaks 100, and you arent doing anything to cause it to do so, go to the hospital. if your not sure, GO TO THE HOSPITAL. better safe then dead

I agree...better to get it checked out, call your doctor. Do you happen to have swelling in your hands and feet?

I agree with ratti dont take chances on it being your heart

From a mental health perspective, we always advise to rule out a medical condition first.

Yup, I'm with everyone else. See a doc.

Another thought: The anxiety problems may be CONNECTED to a heart problem.

My history: I spent a lot of time between the ages of 12 and 22 giving myself panic attacks because I had an undiagnosed mild arrythmia and a condition called PSVT - post supra-ventricular tachycardia. I saw a local cardiologist who didn't 'get' the problem and scared me to death. Finally after he put me on a blood pressure drug to slow my heartbeat (NOT the problem) and it made me feel like crap long enough, I sought the services of Dr. Andre Churchwell. If he's still practicing in Nashville, I don't care how far you have to drive, see if you can get referred to him. Thorough, friendly, fast... called me personally at 7 a.m. next-day after appointment to talk about what was going on. A truly valuable practitioner, I hope he's still around.

Since he was able to make the *real* diagnosis, I haven't had an issue throwing myself into panic attacks about it. The mind is a powerful thing; you CAN make yourself sick with worry. Find out if there's a physical problem first, if you can get an accurate pinpoint there, the anxiety issue may solve itself. :)

not my hands, just my feet occasionally when I've been on them too long.


Yeah that's true, but I've got that anti anxiety med just in case. I'm making an appt. with my pcp when she comes back from med leave anyway. I need to be put on a supervised diet for at least 6 months. That's the last step before I get gastric bypass surgery.