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Anxiety Therapy in Alexandria

How to Stop Heart Palpitations Caused by Anxiety

Heart palpitations or a racing heart rate can be a symptom of a panic attack or other anxiety disorder. If you are experiencing heart palpitations due to anxiety, you are not alone. Learn how to stop heart palpitations due to anxiety with the help of an Alexandria anxiety therapist.

Take Control of Your Emotions

Heart palpitations can be uncomfortable and frightening. Is it a heart attack? A panic attack? Acid reflux? Not knowing what you’re experiencing is never a fun experience.

We always recommend getting heart palpitations checked out by a medical doctor to rule out any physical illness or ailments. However, heart palpitations have a common and treatable cause: anxiety.

If you are experiencing heart palpitations related to anxiety, you’re not alone. Lifebulb’s Alexandria anxiety therapists can help identify why you have heart palpitations, address the root cause, and help you build healthy coping mechanisms and a lifestyle to prevent more uncomfortable heart palpitations in the future.

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Take Control of Your Emotions

Why Does Anxiety Cause Heart Palpitations?

Heart palpitations are attributed to a variety of health conditions but are commonly associated with anxiety. The various reasons why anxiety may cause heart palpitations are explained further below.

Triggering the Body’s Response

A rise in anxiety triggers a release of adrenaline in the body. This is part of the body’s fight-or-flight response. The body believes there is a perceived threat due to the rise in anxiety and uses the fight or flight response as a protection mechanism. During this response, the heart rate picks up. 

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Physical Changes in the Body

There are other symptoms associated with anxiety that may contribute to heart palpitations. These symptoms include an increase in blood pressure. When blood pressure rises, the heart has to work more quickly and the heart rate to race. High blood pressure can also cause dizziness and fainting. While these are normal anxiety symptoms, they could also be a sign of a more serious physical health issue. Talk to your primary care doctor if you experience high blood pressure.

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The Body’s Sensations

When the body experiences anxiety or a panic attack, awareness of sensations happening inside or around the body is heightened. This can make an individual feel hypersensitive to their heart rate, and it can make it seem as though the heart rate is going faster than it actually is.

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Anxiety Therapy in Alexandria

Gain control of panic attacks and anxiety with the help of an Alexandria Lifebulb therapist near you today.

Sabrina Jacksontherapist

Sabrina Jackson

LPC

Sabrina is a clinician with several years of experience working in residential, inpatient, and intensive outpatient settings, supporting individuals facing a wide range of emotional and behavioral cha...

Adolescents 13-17 Adults 18-64 Children 6-12 Family
Adeela Aslamtherapist

Adeela Aslam

PMHNP-BC

As a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, I am passionate about providing thoughtful, evidence-based mental health care that is personalized to each individual's needs. My a...

Adults 18-64
Chasity Bilzingtherapist

Chasity Bilzing

LPC

Chasity is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families strengthen relationships, navigate trauma, and foster personal growth. She believes m...

Adolescents 13-17 Adults 18-64 Adults 65+ Children 6-12 Couples Family
Meera Doshitherapist

Meera Doshi

LCSW

Meera is an animal lover, adventurer, and enthusiast of all things tasty. She lives in Richmond with her partner, two cats, and two dogs. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, experimenting with new ...

Adults 18-64 Adults 65+ Couples
Ariel Meaneytherapist

Ariel Meaney

LPC

Ariel is a Marine Corps Veteran and the spouse of an Active Duty Marine, bringing over 17 years of combined experience in military life—both through active duty service and as a Military Spouse. Her...

Adolescents 13-17 Adults 18-64 Adults 65+ Couples Family
Taylor Hierstherapist

Taylor Hiers

LPC

Hi! I'm Taylor, a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia, where I studied psychology and counseling at Liberty University. I consider my approach as collaborative, person-centered, and practical...

Adults 18-64
Why refer a patient to Lifebulb

Is It Anxiety or a Heart Attack?

The biggest difference between a Panic Attack and a Heart Attack is that a panic attack will come on suddenly and disappear with calming techniques. A heart attack will often involve chest pain that comes and goes but continues to escalate. A heart attack will also often involve radiating pain down the arms, chest, back, and jaw. Signs of heart palpitations due to anxiety:
  • Racing heartbeat
  • A fluttering feeling in the chest 
  • Sharp chest pain 
  • Feeling fear or stress
  • Dizziness 
  • Trembling 
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Changing thought patterns and behaviors

Changing thought patterns and behaviors

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most common therapy modalities. In CBT, individuals work to address thought and behavioral patterns that contribute to their anxiety. Once they have identified those processes, they can work on shifting their mindset using a variety of coping mechanisms and strategies.

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 Regulating Emotions and Behaviors

Regulating Emotions and Behaviors

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).DBT is used to help regulate strong emotions and to break the cycle of any harmful behaviors. The goal of DBT is to be able to identify intense emotions and then to be able to use coping strategies to regulate them.

 

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Facing Fears

Facing Fears

Exposure Therapy is another component of CBT. With exposure therapy, individuals face their triggers for anxiety in a controlled and safe environment. The exposure to the triggers can help individuals develop coping mechanisms in the moment. The goal of exposure therapy is to reduce the individual's fear response.

 

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Accepting Thoughts and Feelings

Accepting Thoughts and Feelings

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is another form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. ACT focuses on accepting uncomfortable thoughts and feelings rather than fighting them. With ACT, individuals focus on letting their thoughts happen and pass as temporary events.

 

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Appointment for online therapy Alexandria

When To Talk to a Doctor About Heart Palpitations

Most people experience anxiety at some point. Short experiences with anxious thoughts or feelings can be normal. However, if you are dealing with constant physical symptoms of anxiety, such as heart palpitations, that can be disruptive to everyday life. An Alexandria Lifebulb therapist near you can help you identify and address physical symptoms of anxiety. Find a therapist near you today.
Find an Alexandria Anxiety Therapist Call for therapy 703-955-3703

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Frequently Asked Questions

 Scheduling is easy! Simply choose a therapist from our extensive therapist directory. Fill out the quick form, and we’ll get in touch to confirm your appointment. 

If you don’t feel like choosing a therapist, give us a call, and we’ll match you with an Alexandria therapist that fits your needs.

 Lifebulb Counseling & Therapy adheres to all HIPAA policies. This means your personal information will be protected throughout every step of the process: from requesting a session, to your first appointment, all the way to when you decide to stop therapy.

Lifebulb was built on the core belief that good therapists provide good therapy, and that in order for a therapist to be good, they need to feel supported. We prioritize our therapists’ wellness so that they can give you their full attention. No burnout, no counting the minutes till the end of the session, no racing to meet quotas, no wasting time wrestling with insurance panels. 

The result? More time, more energy, and more joy they get to put towards what they do best: helping you!

 Online anxiety therapy sessions use HIPAA-compliant video software that is 100% secure. We never record sessions and will never ask you to jump on a video call that is not HIPAA compliant. Our therapists also always take video sessions from a private and secure place. There’s no risk of anyone overhearing you.

 Yes! Lifebulb prides itself on being HIPAA compliant and making client privacy a top priority. Have questions or concerns about our privacy policy? You can email us at privacy@lifebulb.com

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