high Heart Rate not letting me sleep - Atrial Fibrillati...

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high Heart Rate not letting me sleep

Musiclover91 profile image
14 Replies

Last night, I had a fluctuating high heart rate of anywhere between 120 and 150 bpm. This high heart rate lasted for about 4-5 hours, and it was stopping me fall asleep. I had had a few ciders in the afternoon, but I had stopped drinking well before the paliptations started. I felt very lightheaded and had chest pains, but I had had these before. I know it is late now, but I am unsure if I should have seeked medical advice. I was not at home, I might add. I was away for the night and I did not want to see someone if I could get through it myself. It did eventually calm down, and I managed to go to sleep about 4am, but then I woke at 6.30 with a elevated HR again. not as high as the night before, but still high(ish) for me. If this happens again should I call a ambulance or seek medical advice is my question. I am use to having palpitations, but these did scare me a bit last night and they were very uncomfortable.

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14 Replies
Buffafly profile image
Buffafly

Hi, glad you are ok now. Was your pulse regular? The usual advice is to seek medical advice if you have chest pain and lightheadedness but as you say too late, but not too late to consult a doctor if you regularly have chest pain, and maybe stay off the cider until you have? If you have frequent palpitations and they haven't been investigated before it is quite a good idea to call an ambulance/go to A&E just once so you can get a proper record of what your heart is doing. Hope that helps.

Musiclover91 profile image
Musiclover91 in reply toBuffafly

OK thank you. I don't usually drink but it was a event where drinks were being bought for me. I have been to A&E before with palpitations but by the time they get around to giving me a ECG my HR has steadied out again. My heart rate isn't regular, the Dr has told me before I have a arrhythmia so my heart tends to. Skip beats or flutters. Since going to A&E about 2 years ago I have stopped drinking caffeine which has helped immensely! But last night did scare. Me a bit as it was just so intense. Thanks for the advice though. If the chest pains continue I will have to go back to my GP.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

I'm wondering what medication you're on and if, in a case like you had last night, you've been advised by your medical team to take more to calm your heart?

It's always difficult to know what to do in that situation, as GP's and hospital staff will always advise differently. Once when admitted to a ward a nurse said to me why did you leave it so long before coming in. On the other hand, with a steady rate of 150bpm and feeling really ill, a GP once sent me home to take another pill saying if that didn't work I'd have to go to hospital. It did work and so saved me a trip to hospital. Another GP in the same practice sent me straight to A&E with a pulse of 130.

It would be lovely to have some firm guidelines on what to do, wouldn't it!

Jean

sportscoach profile image
sportscoach

Gassy drinks, alcohol of any type especially cider with its capabilities to cause acid build up in the stomach play havoc with the vagus nerve which in turn upsets the heart .....result palpitations and heart arrhythmia.

Any chest pain get it checked out asap

Bmwpaul1971 profile image
Bmwpaul1971

Life can be really crappy cant it? I have been in these exact situations before and got to A and E and be told everything looks normal, I am sure most people on here have. I think because it is "the heart" obviously and rightly you panic and get scared. No matter how many times it happens to me I still freak out. With me, it is the not knowing what is going on/ what is happening for fact. Even though drs tell me it is not major- to me it is! Keep smiling. Chin up and best wishes

Arion52 profile image
Arion52

Go to a Cardiologist...Reduce Caffeine and alcohol...I sleep in a recliner now, sleeping on my left side set it off...tachycardia...learn some relaxation techniques

I've found if I have more than two glasses of wine my heart rate goes up - I'm not sure whether that's the system reacting to the alcohol or the alcohol removing the effect of the bisoprolol. Are you on that? 150 is high but so much depends on how you actually feel...

Cider is unfortunately probably the worst thing you could drink, it's full of sulphites, a known trigger, it's alcohol, a known trigger, it's gassy, a known trigger, and ice cold, guess whet, a known trigger.

It used to be my favorite tipple, no more though, it's just not worth the risk

Chest pain = A+E

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly in reply to

Also the worst drink for diabetics.....

moods profile image
moods

Hi,

If you are accustomed to having palpitations it's a really, really good idea not to drink stimulants at any time of the day and that means tea coffee alcohol even caffeine free drinks. I've been there with violent palpitations and was never given any medical advice regarding them except they'd always be there!!

I found out thru' my own research that losing a stone in weight could help thus helping my heart to do a lot less work, I was 13 stone, and it did. The only palpitation I get is when I take my Bisoprolol and the effect is the tablet regulating the heart to its correct beat.

All this I found on Google and with a bit knowledge; not from, I've got to say, and medical man.............................................Ron.

P.s. I do now drink coffee and enjoy it..

Speedy6 profile image
Speedy6 in reply tomoods

What dose medication do u take and do u feel it makes u gain any weight I'm thinking of going on this drug but they say u gain weight on it help,ha.

Musiclover91 profile image
Musiclover91 in reply toSpeedy6

I don't take medication. I don't know is its work goibg to the GP to ask. I thibknmynpalilpitations are linked to anxiety but I don't know. Never been diagnosed but I was to see if anti anxiety meds will help.

solarjdo69 profile image
solarjdo69

I occasionally have that issue and when I do I take 2-3 droppers of Motherwort tincture. Works within 5-10 to drop heart rate. I have a bottle at work and by my bedside.

And I agree with the above comments on cider and all it's negatives for us afflicted with AFIB. herbs.motherearthliving.com...

A decent brand I have used:

amazon.com/Herb-Pharm-Certi...

Here are reviews related to heart rate:

amazon.com/Herb-Pharm-Certi...

Ianc2 profile image
Ianc2

I am sorry to hear of your difficulties. It may be useful to try and deal with a more senior union official within your existing union or to switch to a different union. Keep on documenting your difficulties and try and use relaxation techniques to help your self mitigate your stress

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