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Wake up during the night with heart Racing.(Not Irregular)

SirBeatalot profile image
26 Replies

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.

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SirBeatalot profile image
SirBeatalot
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26 Replies
BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Many nights. I really don't think it is AF related if it calms down once you relax and do your deep slow breathing.

SirBeatalot profile image
SirBeatalot in reply toBobD

Thanks.Yes it does subside after a few minutes if I just lie still and try to relax.

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply toSirBeatalot

Had one the other night falling off a cliff. Too much stress in my life I fear!

SirBeatalot profile image
SirBeatalot in reply toBobD

Sounds about right!

Steve_ profile image
Steve_

Yes, on occasion happens to me. I think it's also possibly a "fight or flight" response if you awake suddenly.

secondtry profile image
secondtry

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.

Nick1957 profile image
Nick1957

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! 😁

JK5AEO profile image
JK5AEO

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...

Finvola profile image
Finvola

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?

SirBeatalot profile image
SirBeatalot in reply toFinvola

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.

Finvola profile image
Finvola in reply toSirBeatalot

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.

SirBeatalot profile image
SirBeatalot in reply toFinvola

Thanks i will give it a try!

Speedy6 profile image
Speedy6 in reply toFinvola

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 ?.

Finvola profile image
Finvola in reply toSpeedy6

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.

Speedy6 profile image
Speedy6 in reply toFinvola

Hope all goes well .

Finvola profile image
Finvola in reply toSpeedy6

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.

Speedy6 profile image
Speedy6 in reply toFinvola

Great news,yay.

Finvola profile image
Finvola in reply toSpeedy6

Yesterday evening I had a mild headache, felt tired and had achy limbs - two paracetamol treated that. Today it is gone.

Speedy6 profile image
Speedy6 in reply toFinvola

So glad it went well for you,great news.

Cha275rL profile image
Cha275rL

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.

SirBeatalot profile image
SirBeatalot in reply toCha275rL

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.

SirBeatalot profile image
SirBeatalot in reply toThe_Lord_is_with_Us

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.)

xr1450 profile image
xr1450

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.

Ellenearle profile image
Ellenearle

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.

SirBeatalot profile image
SirBeatalot in reply toEllenearle

Thanks, Must confess i have never heard of it, but I will mention it to him when I have a chance.

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