Suggest Treatment For Racy Heart And Trembling During The Night

Posted on Tue, 2 Feb 2016

Question: Some nights I wake up feeling like I am trembling and like my heart is racing. Sometimes I gasp upon waking up. this can happen twice that nignt . Then I sit up for awhile watch TV and go back to sleep normally. What can cause this? The trembling doesn't last long. I think I am not actually trembling to the point others can see it . Only I feel it while I feel I usually just sit until I feel better.

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would recommend performing some tests:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for asking on HCM!

I understand your concern and would explain that it is important performing a comprehensive differential diagnosis of your symptoms:

- a cardiac arrhythmia could be related to the episodes of shortness of breathing and gasping.
-anxiety could explain all your symptomatology. Are you feeling anxious lately?
-partial epilepsy seizures could also explain the episodes of trembling.
-a thyroid dysfunction could also lead to similar symptoms.

Coming to this point, I would recommend consulting your attending physician for a careful physical examination and some tests:

- a resting ECG. An ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring may be necessary if suspicions of possible cardiac arrhythmia are raised.
- an EEG to examine your brain function
- blood lab tests (complete blood count, blood electrolytes, thyroid hormone levels).

You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.

If all the above tests result normal, you should consider anxiety as the most probable cause of your symptomatology.

Hope to have been of help!

Feel free to ask any other questions, whenever you need.

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (6 minutes later)

Hi doctor both the cardiologist and neurologist perform the tests you suggested all normal. I have felt very anxious lately. Is sleep apnea possible, I am overweight.

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

Thank you for the additional information!

Anxiety seems to be the most probable cause of your symptoms.

Sleep apnea can not be excluded too.

Do you feel sleepy during the day?

I recommend performing a blood gas analysis and a polysomnography to exclude this possibility.

Regarding your anxiety, I would advise you to consult with a specialist of this field.

Psychotherapy and a lot of physical activity would help manage anxiety. Medical treatment may be considered.

Hope to have been helpful!

Best wishes,

Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (8 hours later)

thanks Doctor

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome!

Detailed Answer:

I am glad to have been helpful!

Greetings!

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar