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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Missed Heart Beats While Sleeping, Severe Depression, Panic Attacks. Should I Consult A Cardiologist?

Yesterday after I had tuna salad with olive oil dressing for dinner. I felt like my heart stopped for few seconds while sleeping for several times and it shocked me out. I suffer from severe depression and panic attacks for two years up til now. was that normal or should I consult a cardiologist for further investigation.
Sat, 30 Mar 2013
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,
Thanks for your post.
Sudden awakening during sleep as if your choked or missed your heart beat, refers to the condition known as sleep apnea, which is caused by narrowing of airway passage during sleep. Drugs like anti-depressants and sleeping pills can trigger this condition. Sleep apnea can lead to depression.Being overweight,GERD and nasal obstruction can be the risk factors.
You need to visit your cardiologist and get ECG, holter test or stress echo to exclude cardiac problems.Also consult with your psychiatrist to discuss about sleep apnea. You can treat it by changing your life style.
Hope it helps.
Take care!
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Missed Heart Beats While Sleeping, Severe Depression, Panic Attacks. Should I Consult A Cardiologist?

Hello, Thanks for your post. Sudden awakening during sleep as if your choked or missed your heart beat, refers to the condition known as sleep apnea, which is caused by narrowing of airway passage during sleep. Drugs like anti-depressants and sleeping pills can trigger this condition. Sleep apnea can lead to depression.Being overweight,GERD and nasal obstruction can be the risk factors. You need to visit your cardiologist and get ECG, holter test or stress echo to exclude cardiac problems.Also consult with your psychiatrist to discuss about sleep apnea. You can treat it by changing your life style. Hope it helps. Take care!