Blood pressure spike during AF while sleeping.

[BouvGirl]

Hello. I'm 64 and was diagnosed with AF last year although I believe I have had it for awhile prior to that. I'm on 25mg of Metoprolol (1/2 pill twice a day). No blood thinner, just a baby asprin a day. Sometimes I wake up from a sound sleep and know I'm not 'right'. My blood pressure cuff doesn't always registered the AF, but it does sky high blood pressure. One time was 220/110. I get the chills when it's that high. If I can hold my breath and make the AF stop, my blood pressure goes down almost immediately. Does anyone else have this problem?

[BobD Volunteer]

My BP was always higher when in AF. I think it is the body's way of compensating for low flow by raising the pressure.

Why the aspirin by the way? It can cause lots of harm in different ways for little help in preventing AF related strokes. Unless you have some other cardiac issues such as stent or restricted arteries this treatment is not recommended these days. If your CHADSVASC score tells you to take anticoagulants then take one and if not then wait till your score does tell you.

[BouvGirl in reply to BobD]

The nurse told me to take one as a precaution, but I really haven't been. Has your blood pressure been as high as mine has been?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to BouvGirl]

Not since my first ablation. Do be aware that many monitors are not very accurate if you are in AF.

[Rubymurray25]

Every time I read a post regarding being woken up and having high blood pressure I feel the need to share my experience. I was waking up 4 times a night thinking it was my bladder but it wasn't , eventually I started taking my BP when I was awoken and it was high. I posted my concerns on this website as it was a mystery to my doctor and previous doctor, someone suggested I might have sleep apnea, and sure enough after having the night study I was told I had severe SA and put on CPAP and now that problem has gone. The stats for missing SA are unbelievable high.

[Hidden]

I agree with Rubymurray25 , have you been checked out for sleep apnea?

The first thing my EP did was refer me to the sleep clinic, where I was found to have mild SA, but when I started using the CPAP machine I stopped waking up with a pounding heart

[Hidden]

Yes I agree with Rubymurray25 & mikee69. I also had similar symptoms and have now been diagnosed with moderate sleep apnoea. I have been using Cpap machine since 1st March and the night time waking and panics have gone.

[solarjdo69]

I too have to comment that I have a form of sleep apnea and when I am awakened I also have higher BP and heart rate. What helps for me is to do a few minutes of deep breathing. I prefer the 4 seconds in through nose, hold for count of 8, then exhale slowly through nose count of 9. Repeat 3-4 times, then just breath deep semi-normally. Wait 2-3 m and re-check rates and I'm sure that you will see that it's dropped.