Heart rate is eratick while trying to sleep!

[Lestat]

Wasn't sure how to word this. When im trying to sleep, I can hear my heart "pounding". It's so bad it keeps me awake for hours.

I often wake up in fright/sweat because I feel my heart isn't beating.

I've told my Doc before, he kinda sniggered at me

I'm thinking "Blood pressure" is the only real option. What do you all think?

[rubywillow]

Heart rate is eratick while trying to sleep!

Lestat, your the first person with a scarier avatar than me! Really, though, I know what your talking about. Spent many nights the same way, wondering if I would wake up dead. A very unpleasant feeling. I, too, had to force my MD (I've since changed) to run tests and found I have tachycardia, an irregular heartbeat. Taking cardizem now, and it helps a LOT. Find a doc who listens! Tell them about any family history of heart disease. Mine started with my g'mother, then both parents died young of heart disease. Be your own advocate, don't let ANY doc 'snigger' at you about your concerns. AL and hangovers always made my problem worse. PM me if you want more info, and take your health into your own power. You know your body. MD's are just people, and some ain't nice.:h

[Lestat]

Heart rate is eratick while trying to sleep!

The other night, I made a campral post, my own fault, I was "JUST" about to call an ambulance I felt that bad

[rubywillow]

Heart rate is eratick while trying to sleep!

Lestat, do what your body tells you you need. AL devastates us, and is particularly hard on our hearts. I saw some nasty side affects when I went to rehab, so don't let anyone prevent you from getting the help you need. If you feel like you need ER, CALL THEM!! It's not a time for being shy. Stay in touch, deary, and we'll work our way thru it.

[Lestat]

Heart rate is eratick while trying to sleep!

When i feel like i described, i just make myself comfortable and RIDE it out. Its a hell of a ride too..

[shelbysmiles]

Heart rate is eratick while trying to sleep!

I'm not saying this is what is going on with you but, I have that when I have a panic/anxiety attack. I actually went to the ER several years ago for it. It is usually at it's worse around the 12-24 AF point. I would have your Doc run tests to rule out anything serious, though.

[bestlifeldms]

Heart rate is eratick while trying to sleep!

Lestat,

I would find a cardiologist, or request a referral from your GP,if your insurance requires that. I have PVC's (Pre-ventricular contractions) It was necessary for me to wear a 48 hour halter monitor, and have an EKG, echo-cardiogram, and stress test - for the DR. to properly diagnose. There a harmful and harmless, PVC's. I was then sent to an electro cardiologist who reviewed my tests and informed me that mine are harmless. I could take medication, if I chose to do so, but the medication is more dangerous than just experiencing the PVC's. I have found that the incidence of occurance has decreased dramatically, after a significant alcohol free period of time. Now they occur rarely. They are worse when I am stressed in any nature, be it emotionally, physically, intellectually. So, I try to be sensitive to this. I have dramatically reduced my caffiene consumption, as caffiene makes them more frequent and worse as well. You may find that these will diminish or disappear, over a period of AF time. However, I would see a health care professional who is qualified to determine your diagnosis.

Hugs and support, Best

[vlad]

Heart rate is eratick while trying to sleep!

I had this problem, I'd wake up, heart thumping like I'd been running a marathon - seemed to be no reason for it. When I saw my doctor after experiencing other symptoms, I was diagnosed with thyrotoxicosis.

[Dazedandconfoosed]

Heart rate is eratick while trying to sleep!

That is also a symptom of pancreatitus.

[Determinator]

Heart rate is eratick while trying to sleep!

Lestat, does this occur while you are detoxing following a lot to drink? that's the only time this has happened for me. And it's happened many time.

[brittzak]

Heart rate is eratick while trying to sleep!

Sweetie please seek medical attention. You may be fine as a fiddle...but what if you are not?

[sami]

Heart rate is eratick while trying to sleep!

My heart does that sometimes after a heavy night of drinking. i've been diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse, and I think that is why my heart does such weird things when I drink too much. It's my unsupported theory that alcohol frequently attacks us where we are weakest: for me it's in the form of migraines which I'm prone to anyway and heart palpitations....feeling as though anyone within 30 feet of me could actually hear my heart beating loudly and irregularly. Last night was a particularly bad night for me and I ended up getting up at 2:00 a.m. and taking a valium to try to calm me down. Of course, I think mine is also related to blood pressure. Normally mine is low but yesterday I had a fascinating experience w/ floaters, then at the insistance of my RN sister took my blood pressure which was 146/108 and then 164/144. Kind of a rough night. But I promised my sister I'd make an appt w/ the doc next week, and I would strongly recommend that you do the same thing Lestat. And I'm kinda thinking that we probably should tell them (gulp!) about the amount of alcohol we've been cosuming that more than likely exacerbates it.

[sadheart]

Heart rate is eratick while trying to sleep!

I too have been suffering with a tachycardia, since November last year. It comes out of the blue and is very scary. It used to wake me up in the night pounding and beating up to 180 beats per minute.

I was admitted to the hospital the 1st time and had to have my heart shocked, and I can tell you I don't want to go through that again. Tests had shown that I have SVT and the cause is probably stress and anxiety, although I don't have panic attacks. I have been under a huge amount of stress these past years which all add up to me being anxious and becoming reliant on my drink of an evening to wind down.

I have now cut back a great deal, and have had less attacks, which goes to show that the drink was also hugely to blame for the rapid heart beat. Although it is always best to get your checked to rule out something else.

The ambulance men showed me how to raise my feet higher than my head, which will help my heart receive more blood during an episode. I take deep breaths and try to not let it scare me although I know how hard that can be, and sometimes breath into a paper bag. If you have a fast heart rate then cough, as this sometimes helps your heart to regulate. Although I am not a doctor and think that you should always seek medical advice 1st, I hope these little tips might help too. Also, cutting down on the drink will help more than anything I think.

Good luck

[Boss.man]

Heart rate is eratick while trying to sleep!

I have had severe sleep apnea the last three years. It is made worse by drinking, which causes my throat to relax too much when I sleep. I typically would breath for a few minutes, and as I drift to sleep my throat closed and my body would starve for oxygen until I woke up.

They symptoms of Apnea as reported by a spouse are: Breath stops, and then restarts with a cough or snort, and sometimes the sleeper sitting up.

For a lone sleeper, it's much harder because you can't tell. For me, when I woke up, it was rapid shallow heartbeat, bloodshot eyes, and a pounding headache. Also unexplained daytime tiredness and the wish to sleep 12-14 hours on weekends to catch up. After an apnea night, my heartbeat was usually 120-130 beats per minute.

This year I've had two operations, and am now going AF to see if symptoms are fully gone. They are much better for me; no more headache or bloodshot eyes. But I still think I'm having problems with my throat collapsing. When I drink, I still have problems with apnea.

[Michaela]

Heart rate is eratick while trying to sleep!

I too have this problem. I have anxiety and low grade panic attacks. (only when really stressed). Caffeine was a HUGE trigger for mine as well as alcohol. I used to get them daily, but since I have been AF I find I RARELY get it unless I drink coffee and AL. It's VERY scary though. Good luck to you and I hope you see the Dr. soon just to ease your mind.

Michaela