What causes heart palpitations and shallow breathing
Patient: My 19 year old daughter has been struggling with heart palpatations for 2 days, feeling also as if she's not getting enough oxygen to her lungs (shallow breathing) and pins and needles feelings in her hands.  She looks drained and without any energy.  Doctor looked her over very quickly yesterday and said she's suffering from anxiety and should breath into paper bag.  This has not helped. Doctor: Hello and welcome to HCMI have read your queryI hope this will helpFrom the history provided by you YES your daughter is suffering from anxiety.. This is a typical pic of such a patient with PANIC ATTACK or GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER..I will suggest you to not worry much..advise her to breath in paper bag at time of attack. If symptoms persists she should be given ALPRAZOLAM .5MG OR TAB FLUOXITINE 20MG.but after yourGP's advise.. She needs a bit counselling and medications if symptoms are not improving...I hope she will recover soon.RegardsDr faeza