Palpitations at night

[bugswhiskers]

Does anyone have heart palpitations that keep them awake when they go to bed? Breathing exercises don't seem to help. I've joined walking groups to walk during the day and use up some of the adrenalin, but it doesn't seem to help. Any advice would be appreciated.

[BobD Volunteer]

Not palpitations but pulsatile tinnitis which means I can hear my heart shooshing in my ears when there is no outside noise. That is quite irritating at 3 am!

[Hylda2 in reply to BobD]

I don’t mind hearing my heart beating loud and clear!

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hylda2]

Try it 24/7/365!

[Hylda2 in reply to BobD]

Got a ENT appointment Friday to see if they will give me white noise hearing aids.

[bantam12 in reply to Hylda2]

I got them from ENT, they work but it’s only swapping one continuous noise for another and you can’t wear them at night which is when tinnitus is worse 🤦🏻‍♀️

[Hylda2 in reply to bantam12]

My tinnitus is in my left ear and I never sleep on that side because of AF so hope I’ll be alright.

[bantam12 in reply to Hylda2]

They advise taking them out at night to let your ears rest and breath plus they aren’t that comfortable, I can only tolerate mine for a few hours at a time, longer than that and they get painful, another reason is the white noise whichever one you choose can be as tiring to hear as the tinnitus ! The aids can help but they definitely don’t fix the problem 🤦🏻‍♀️

[Hylda2 in reply to bantam12]

My ordinary aids are fine. Have tried sleeping with one in when tinnitus bad, but just amplifies neighbour hood sound’s although we live in a very quiet area.

[Hidden]

Do you think it might be the case that it's a bit of anxiety over what the underlying cause of your palpitations is that keeps you awake, rather than the odd-feeling thumping and banging that's going on inside? It might be that have had advice or treatment for this, but I am wondering if you are still worrying, as I find I can now sleep through most episodes of arrhythmia at nights just because I no longer worry about it.

[bugswhiskers in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. I know what you mean about anxiety, but this is a new thing after a long period when my heart's been quite calm. I sympathise with BobD when all you want is the oblivion of sleep. I wouldn't mind so much if the pausing and thumping didn't go on for hours. It's always , so far, all right in the morning, when I would have thought it might be worse when your blood pressure is higher.

[Paulbounce]

I find my sleeping postion helps so much.

Cal wrote

"Do you think it might be the case that it's a bit of anxiety over what the underlying cause of your palpitations is that keeps you awake"

I'm in with that one. Now I don't know if this will make sense or not. I sleep front side opp the heart. Left leg out bent to keep it that way - works for me. Maybe there's a sleeping postion that will work for you and help.

Anxiety about it won't help - easy to say I know but it's true. My suggestion is to try another sleeping position and see if that helps. This sounds daft - I know this. I find I sleep better when I 'run' a story through my head every night - it could be anything - the more daft the better. Write a mind book and add a chapter at night in bed - you can soon fall to sleep doing this. It can just take your mind off things.

Paul (silly suggestions but they can work) Bounce.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Paulbounce]

Paul I have compiled some of the best chapters in my autobiography laying awake at night but then have to get up and put them onto the computer before I forget!

[Paulbounce in reply to BobD]

Heh - must read them one day Bob

Paul

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Paulbounce]

Every time I think it is finished Paul I remember another funny and or rude story. That and life has been a bit boring since we closed the race team down in '88 and started our family so a big gap till the boys started motor sport ten years ago. They have just started a new company using my name so a new chapter begins.

[Paulbounce in reply to BobD]

Worth a read for sure Bob JK Rowling better look out !

Paul

[bugswhiskers in reply to Paulbounce]

Thanks for your suggestions Paulbounce. It does wind me up a lot when I can't sleep and that doesn't help, but I'll try your sleeping position.

[secondtry]

Try an hour mindfullness, relaxing yoga type exercise and if you have a faith prayer before getting into bed; no screens/radio after that!

[Ppiman]

I had several days with runs of them for hours at a time last autumn, but they have calmed, thankfully. They felt no different from AF to me. Nowadays, I get them, like you, sometimes when I lie down at night. They are a devil of a thing to put to the back of the mind, but, having been told that they are "benign" and will lead to nothing important, that has, for now, done the trick and allows me to rest.

I would ask your doctor if yours, too, are "benign".

Steve

[bugswhiskers in reply to Ppiman]

That's what worries me, that I can't tell if it's AF or not, though I've just watched a Dr. Sanjay Gupta video on You Tube, and he says that you should only worry if the palpitations are continuous for thirty seconds or more.

[ATSF]

I saw my GP. Last week about the same problem and severe weight loss, he sent me away with the closing words “there is nothing that can be done”.

[JaneChapple in reply to ATSF]

Charming, how would he like it? He can send you to a cardiologist or order a 3 day, 7 say day tape. for starters. Lazy doctoring I call it. Id be asking for a second opinion if it were me?!

Best wishes

JaneCxxx😎❤

[blulla1]

Have a read and see if this helps. carrafibdietinfo.com/

[Tekla]

Another new form of slow breathing I have tried is humming. Take a deep breathe in and then breathe out of your nose with a long hummm with lips together. Very calming whenever you feel anxiety.

[Kingst]

Having endured many a night of erratic palpitations has been exhausting. In researching possible causes, several things jump out: Make sure you have not eaten for at least 3 hours before bedtime. Apparently, digestion can really do a number on your vagus nerve which now is seen as a real culprit in this issue. Also, have you had COVID? Palpitations, even many months after infection, are a common occurrence for many. Many COVID Long Haul sufferers recommend taking Benadryl for their symptoms, including heart issues. I can't remember how they connect this drug to COVID, but it has something to do with affecting spike proteins and adrenal exhaustion. Also, others have found that taking German lavender capsules called CalmAid eases anxiety and helps one sleep more deeply. Good Luck!!

[bugswhiskers in reply to Kingst]

Thanks Kingst.

[D_afibber]

Hi Bugswhiskers, I understand this feeling. After having Ablation surgery I decided to get myself out and healthy again. That was 2 years ago. Today I rarely even check my heartbeats on my Kardia. But to keep it short. Yes the Adrenalin plays a role here. It took me a while to sense that this was influencing my ectopics and rythim. I started walking every morning after eating a banana to get my potassium up. I do 5000 steps before breakfast and 5000 at lunch, then in the evening I seemingly have used up enough excess adrenalin. My system is stable and can sleep ok.I also discovered that sleep position was important too. Lying on the left side seemed to cause problems. Right side was better.

Then also before bed I would lie flat on the floor, and do a little mindfulness breathing exercises, which helped after surgery. ..today I do not need to do those at all. Feel good.

Do hope my note helps..

:))

[bugswhiskers in reply to D_afibber]

Thanks for your reply, and all the replies. I've started walking with the local council's Health Walk groups, and feel better for it. Like you , I eat a banana every day for the potassium. My heart seems to have calmed down a bit, for which I'm very grateful!