I had a quadruple bypass in 2017and in Dec 2019 had the first of 5 episodes of AF ending Dec 2020.
I have though for a couple of years woken up with my heart racing, (not irregular) after dreaming of running or driving an out of control car or by something else in the dream which feels like I am under stress or exerting myself.
I wonder if anyone has experienced anything similar.
Many nights. I really don't think it is AF related if it calms down once you relax and do your deep slow breathing.
Thanks.Yes it does subside after a few minutes if I just lie still and try to relax.
Had one the other night falling off a cliff. Too much stress in my life I fear!
Sounds about right!
Yes, on occasion happens to me. I think it's also possibly a "fight or flight" response if you awake suddenly.
Yes I used to have it more but less now, had one 3 weeks ago which is quite rare. I am not sure whether it has improved by reducing stress, breathing when asleep ( I have mild sleep apnea so use nasal strips & trialling a mouth strip) or a sign of AF wanting to start but blocked by the 200mgs Flecainide I take.....or just normal when dreaming something that you either remember or not.
Yes I've suffered that too. Fight or flight Can't hit that damn golf ball off the first tee no matter how I try! 😁
My friend Jim created a sleep audio podcast after my heart attack. I was withdrawing from clozapine (the drug which had caused the heart attack) and couldn't sleep for 3-months. Jim's hypnotherapy techniques solved it. I think this link will work, though it might start half way through or have an awful advert at the beginning: youtube.com/watch?v=Rpz6w_a...
Me too - mine is usually connected to a fright/shock/sudden noise/bad dream. I haven't found any way to avoid these wee bouts but breathing and propping up on a pillow stop them.
Have you tried some relaxation techniques before going to sleep - breathing, relaxing every muscle in the body from the hands/feet inward or mindfulness?
No I haven't tried any relaxation techniques but perhaps I should.When I wake up I do find it difficult to get back to sleep so sleeping is also an issue and I can feel how tense I am even just lying there.
One thing I am doing very shortly is to buy a new mattress and I will also try to come off my phone an hour or two before bedtime.
Good idea about the phone, Sir - I'm having sleeping problems at the moment - unheard of for me! The muscle relaxation technique worked each time last night - 4 in all - get comfy, let all flop, breathe slowly, focus and start at your feet, mentally scan up your legs, then hands and scan up arms to body - do the same all over body and face. I usually drop off at that point.
Thanks i will give it a try!
That sounds very effective,I remember you said you take nebivolol,have you had this vaccine yet,and if so how are you,I'm not seeing many on this particular drug who has receiver the vaccine have you ?.
Yes I still take Nebivolol and am due to have my first jab of AstraZeneca this morning (Monday). I'll post with a report on how things have gone in a day or two. Fingers crossed.
Hope all goes well .
I had the AstraZeneca jab yesterday and, apart from being able to feel the injection site, I have had no side effects. Heart has been steady and normal - I take Flecainide as well as Nebivolol. Best wishes with your vaccine.
Great news,yay.
I can certainly recommend a new mattress. Got one last month, and what a difference it has made. I would never have believed it, and using a screen before bedtime makes your mind more active and can prevent sleep.
I have literally just ordered a new mattress, just after reading your post!
Depends on how long these 'racing' episodes last.
If they resolve rather quickly after waking, then I would say it's just an anxious dream state. However, if they persist for hours while you're awake. It's something else.
My AFIB returned recently (AUG 2020) with a new twist: I had rapid sinus beat (around 130 bpm) while sleeping ... when waking ... lasting, at times, 10 to 12 or more hours a day. It was not AFIB .... but, I had bouts of separate AFIB, too.
Went to Emergency ... and they diagnosed AFIB with RVR (rapid ventricular rate). I was prescribed Diltiazem (Cardizem) to bring the RVR down.
Emergency acted concern about the 130 sustained rate. Said if it continues for more than 2 hours ... then, come back in for treatment. However, my Cardiologist wasn't all that concerned. He said if your heart is structurally sound, then no need to worry (unless rate goes sky high, like 150+).
The Cardizem brought the rate down. Then, I went on Flecainide and discontinued Cardizem. Flecainide controlled both the rate and rhythm well.
Cardiologist said when I receive my ablation (which I had in OCT 2020), the RVR will disappear along with the AFIB. And that's certainly what happened.
Thanks for the reply.It does resolve itself quite quickly after waking, but I will monitor it and advise my EP Consultant .( I have an ablation due around May.)
Yep I get it sometimes. I think what happens is in your sleep your heart rate drops below a comfortable level and it's your natural pacemaker kicking in to fix the issue. I'm guessing a mild dose of sleep apnea may be a suspect here.
I had the same experience and was diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome (WPW) - tachycardia due to accessory electrical pathways in the heart. I would mention it to your cardiologist. Mine was cured through ablation. Best of luck.
Thanks, Must confess i have never heard of it, but I will mention it to him when I have a chance.
Why do I get AF during the night
AF happening every night...fine during the day
All that is fast with the heart in not necessarily afib 
In and out of AF during the night.
