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What Causes Palpitations During Sleep?

Posted on Mon, 24 Apr 2017

Question: Hi doctor
Since few days I am waking up to sudden fast heartbeat and unable to fall asleep after that ,
Mornings I don't feel this , sometimes have to take deep breaths and get tired but these usually happens st night when I am about to sleep ???

Answered by Dr. Rishu Saxena (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Palpitations.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for query.

The sensation you are having are called palpitations.A heart palpitation is the sensation that your heart has skipped a beat or added an extra beat or as if it's beating too fast. It may feel like your heart is racing, pounding, or fluttering. You may become overly aware of your heartbeat.There can be many causes of palpitations.

Most of the time palpitation is usually associated with some pathological or physiological problem with the heart. To rule out the cause of palpitations i would like to suggest you some of the baseline tests of cardiology like -

24 hour holter monitoring-A small device would be attached to your body for 24hours.It will keep a record of your heart beat (both rate and rhythm) for a perioid of 24 hours.You can also note the time during which you feel palpitations and the rythm at that time could be seen on computer monitor during interpretation of the test.It is the basic and most important test for you.

7 days loop recorder- In case faulty heart beats are not recorded in holter ,A device called loop recorder would be attached to your body for 7days and it will keep a record of your heart beats for 7 days!

Tread mill test -some times the faulty heart beats are precipitated only when the heart is under stress,Tread mill test is designed for that,You will be made to run on a tread mill under monitored condition.Any arrythmia precipitated can be observed on computer recordings.

2d echo -This test will rule out any abnormality in cardiac function,pumping system of heart and will help to find out if all valves of heart are functioning normally or not.

Apart from this Thyroid function test should be done.A increased in level of thyroid hormone can cause palpitations.Basic investigations are to be done before reaching a diagnosis.
Please mention your anxiety levels?
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Rishu Saxena (1 hour later)

Thank you doctor, why are they happening only at night ?i took a nap in the afternoon it was okay , that too it hsppens right before i just fall asleep ...ut scares me .. may be after that there is some anxiety because of this episode but the cause is what i sm thinking .
I will get thyroid and heart monitor tests . Ekg looked fine

Thankyou

Answered by Dr. Rishu Saxena (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Anxiety stress and overthinking can also cause palpitations.Every person is different.What i have explained to you is a typical presentation of cardiac palpitation.However many a times patient has atypical features,Variation of palpitation with time doesnot have any proper bookish explaination.
So to rule out the possibilities is the best strategy.
Overthinking can lead to palpitation and once cardiac cause is ruled out treatment can be taken on guidelines of anxiety induced palpitations.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Rishu Saxena (30 hours later)

There is one early beat in my ekg except thst everything looks fine according to doc . Still have to get 24hrs monitor, i ferl the heart burn , hearbeats much faster when i turn rifht side snd sleep

Answered by Dr. Rishu Saxena (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up answer.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,

I don't think its cardiac just one extra beat does not makes any sense it can even be an artefact.
Most likely anxiety and elevated stress levels are cause of problem in your case.

However initially go for the tests I adviced
If all these tests result normal, you should consider anxiety as the main possible cause of your symptoms.

Hope to have been helpful!

In case you have any other query feel free to ask.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Rishu Saxena (4 hours later)

Thank you doctor .
I have trouble falling and staying askeep too they suggested temazepam .. i dint want it because of sude effects , i used trika for 5 days it helped again bsck to same non sleep , dint know the reason cannot fall askeep , if i fall askerp and waje up cannot fallback asleep strange i never had sleep problems

Answered by Dr. Rishu Saxena (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
All your symptom are pointing towards anxiety to be the chief cause of your problems.
I would advice you to consult a psychiatrist in person.
Zolpidem is a hypnotic and can be used to induce sleep and is much safer and non habit forming as compared to benzodiazepenes.
I don't think its cardiac.

Suggestion
Consult a psychiatrist and follow up.

Thanks!

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj