Hi! I take it. Every once in a blue moon I will feel a fast fluttering but it only lasts less than a minute. I have mitral valve prolapse so it could be that. I read a long time ago that it was related to anxiety. It was in a book that I bought at a yard sale. A friend borrowed it and I never got it back. Do you happen to have this too?

Hi! Sertaline (Zoloft) is a really excellent medication for anxiety and depression. I personally know people that were almost "cured" while taking Zoloft. So, rest assured, you are on an excellent medication. I keep saying I will go try it again, but I haven't gotten around to it. So, thank you for the reminder to try it again :-)

Heart racing is a common anxiety symptom. However, it's always good to have it checked out by a doctor, just to make sure. Don't hesitate to contact your doctor's office and let them know, so that you can go in for an appointment.

I wouldn't worry about it... but hopefully having a doctor check it out will give you some peace of mind.

Are you in any kind of therapy? Medication can only do so much. Anxiety therapy can be very helpful. I take daily anxiety medications but I also have weekly therapy (by phone now).

You're going to be okay! Keep writing it out.

Hi Autumnwanderer, sertraline affects
(a) potassium channels so therefore affects the repolarisation of cardiac action potential which may lead to prolongation of the QT interval,
(b) inhibits sodium and calcium channels which reduce the rate of contractions and the contractile force of the heart.

What the above information means that for some people who has a propensity to experience cardiac side-effects of sertraline, sertraline can cause
(a) QT prolongation, cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, OR
(b) tachycardia and cardiac arrest.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3484517/

Each individual has a different set of physiological make up that is incomparable to other persons. Just because the majority of the population does not experience side effects with sertraline or any other drugs, it does not mean that certain individuals with genetic predispositions to cardiac diseases would not experience side effects to that particular drug. It would be wrong for any one of us to persuade/assure a person who clearly experiences the side effects to a drug, to continue on taking that drug without consulting with the doctor, or assume that a side effect is due to their disease.

Therefore, in summary, Autumnwanderer please go and see your doctor about the possibility of withdrawing the sertraline. Your doctor will allow you a "washout" period to allow the drug to dissipate from your body before introducing another anti-anxiety drug.

Just like to mention that a social support group is not a good place to seek for a medical opinion. Not everyone on the forum is trained in medicine nor is a health care professional. Please take care, and let us know how you are doing.

@GreenEyes: Hello! Thanks for the reply and excuse my late response. I have been really good about my anxiety lately. I just happen to be sitting down and all of a sudden I feel my heart racing. I thought it was my anxiety in the beginning but nothing was happening mentally. I don't know. It is such a weird sensation.

@GirlinCalif: Hi there, thank you for the response!!! Forgive my late reply lol. I didn't know that sertraline was so highly regarded. It is the only medication I have ever been on. I don't have any experience with any other meds like it. I talked about it to my prescribing doctor and she did not care for it. It only happens every few days or so. I was in talk therapy but my therapist canceled it because my insurance didn't cover it anymore. Thank you for the virtual support!

@Andromeda8, wow. Thanks for all the information!!! I will 100% talk to my doctor. I don't experience it often. I feel it maybe every few days and it is just a racing heart. I don't have any anxiety before it happens as I am often watching a movie or doing some crafts, so I find it very odd. I did not come on here to seek a medical opinion. Just wanted to know if it happens and look, you responded!! TY!