I'm not a doctor, but from what I read here and in other "palpitations-websites", it sounds very probable that your palpitations appear due to anxiety.
Mine started also (I think) with a death of a near family member.

I guess your tactics towards this frustrating condition should be:

1: Get your heart checked, (which you already are working at). If your heart is ok, it might give you relief to know and say to yourself: "I am NOT going to have a heart attack, even if my heart is pounding or acting up with palpitations."
Excuse me for the use of bad humour if you don't like this, but maybe you'll dig it ... :
"Since you are not dead already, you are NOT on the brink of having any heart attack ..."

2: If your heart is allright (which it probably is) work on the anxiety with some of the "weapons" we have: Relaxation, therapy, breathing excercises, cut down on alcohol (which you already have done) and coffee, medicine etc.

Compared to what quite a few other people on this and other websites report, it is VERY common to be scared of having a heart attack, when you are haunted by palpitations, so I really understand you. And I know how difficult it can be to say to oneself: "This is an annoying and a very ugly feeling, but it is in no way dangerous or risky."

But a good thing to start with the cardiologist. Good luck with your life and all!

Okay, welcome to the forum. Indeed, life-altering events can produce emotional changes which increase the chances for benign palpitations to occur. They do not originate from within the heart, but rather externally by way of stimulation of the vagus nerve. Although they can be frightening, these events do not have the capacity to actually do you any harm.

I would ask about your medication regimen at this point. Please clarify precisely what you are presently taking. I ask because several of the medications mentioned are within the same class of drugs and the Respiridone is an antipsychotic most typically used to treat Schizophrenia. Unless you are experiencing episodes of active psychosis, then a question arises as to why you are taking this medication. It is characteristically not used to "calm nerves."

The use of compounds for diet control can potentially induce cardiac dysrhythmias while under their influence, but these effects abate upon discontinuation. They are not recommended.

The most common reason for experiencing a syncopal episode, or fainting, is due to a vasovagal response wherein a sudden drop in blood pressure is experienced due to reduction in vagal tone. This phenomenon occurs commonly in persons who become overwhelmed by fear or alternatively remain motionless for long periods, such as soldiers standing at attention.

You're going to be okay and your heart cannot be damaged by the palpitation events that you are experiencing. Your tests with the cardiologist will all turn out fine. The focus in reduction of stress and anxiety will produce a corresponding reduction in the palpitation events and other physical sensations that you may be experiencing and find abnormal. It's critical to realize that anxiety at levels produced by the type of events which have occurred can produce a broad range of physical symptoms. Their presence and influence does not suggest that any type of underlying disease is present.

Best regards,

Rutheford Rane, MD (ret.)