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ANXIETY, PANIC DISORDER on XYREM with rapid heart rate.

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Hello,

I have a question regarding resting heart rate. I have anxiety and panic disorder and have a history of a rapid heart beat and panic attacks, etc. I have always been told this is anxiety. I take 40mg of citalopram daily. I also have narcolepsy and take 3.75g 2x per night of Xyrem (sodium oxybate). I have not only been extremely anxious for the past several days, but I have found that my resting heart rate has been above 80 (around 83) at times just after waking. Even after calming myself down, it has been around 75-77. I am reading mixed things online but some have said this is a poor resting heart rate and puts me at risk. I am wondering if this is something to really be concerned about, or if it could be caused by my medications or anxiety. I am getting more anxious worrying about it.

Thank you.

Category: Cardiologist

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Dr. Vivek Mahajan
Category: Cardiologist
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 23 Doctors Online

Expert:  Dr. Vivek Mahajan
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Hello,
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com

Resting heart rate between 60 to 100 per min is taken as normal. Well trained atheletes usually have a heart rate on the lower side of normal and occasionally 50 per min. Your heart rate of 80 oer min doesn't signify any abnormality. It may be due to the fact that you are not exercise trained or you may be having anxiety all the time.

Lower heart rate indicates you are following a good exercise regime and have a good vagal tone. Exercises lower the risk of geart diseases. So low heart rate can be a marker of good exercise training and vagal tone and consequently may be a marker of health. But heart rate of 80 doesn't mean you have a bad outcome. You can start aerobic exercise training to achieve the lower heart rate. Of course anxiety maybe a cause of this finding.
Feel free to discuss further,
Regards
Dr Vivek Mahajan
DM Cardiology

Dr. Vivek Mahajan
Category: Cardiologist
Experience: 
Fellowship: DM, Cardiology, PGIMER, 2013
Residency: MD, Internal Medicine, AIIMS, 2007
Internship: King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, 2003 
Medical School: MBBS, Seth G.S. Medical College, 2002
Dr. Vivek Mahajan and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

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