Palpitations

• In panic attacks or periods of severe anxiety a person will often experience an irregular or fluttery heart beat. These irregular heart beats are called palpitations. They are a response to increased levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline.
  
  

Rapid Heart Rate

• Heart rate will increase during panic and anxiety attacks. The rapid heart rate is due to the increase in adrenaline which is part of the fight-or-flight response. Excess adrenaline can weaken the heart.
  
  

Premature Contraction

• Forceful heart beats during episodes of increased anxiety may feel as though the heart skipped a beat or as though it "turned over" in the chest. This type of heart beat is a premature contraction and can also happen in healthy individuals.
  
  

Control of Heart Beat Irregularities

• The heart can function independently of hormones and the autonomic nervous system. Deep breathing can reduce heart rate quickly.
  
  

Additional Symptoms

• In addition to heart symptoms, those who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder may also experience gastrointestinal upset, headaches, breathing problems, an increased risk of obesity and allergic-related conditions like eczema and hives.
  
  

Warning

• Medical researchers say that those who experience chronic anxiety may be at higher risk for heart attack than those who are healthy.