Hey r/anxiety, 

I feel like I had a long overdue revelation recently upon learning of the term cardiophobia. My life anxiety story condensed is that I've battled panic attacks since second year university, now making it a roughly 6 year affair. I've been to the ER countless times, at the peak around 4 times a week because my HR would skyrocket to 190-210 and stay there for multiple hours on end - it was absolutely crippling. I managed to complete my degree and work, but it still afflicts me on a regular basis. I've gone through dozens of tests over the years, and prior to COVID was a competitive powerlifter and personal trainer (quite the concerning affliction when HR anxiety acts up).

I would assert that 99% of my anxiety is induced by slight deviations of otherwise normal cardiac activity. I check my HR constantly, and my overall stress levels (especially through covid) mean constant tachycardia episodes, fluttering beats, and a hyper awareness of relatively normal beats. 

Now that I have a term to encapsulate what I've wrestled with for years, I want to know what others that have experienced this have done to find success. I currently attend therapy but it's more focused on life navigation, I know many benefit from CBT and SSRIs. Any insight is greatly appreciated!