early morning waking with palpitations

[Caradomben]

Does anyone wake in the early morning with palpitations. I wake every morning between 4 and 5 with flutter and palpitations. I think this could be related to bradycardia (my testing pulse is between 45/50)or is it vagal af. I take 1.25 bisipr

[Caradomben]

meant to say I take 1.25 bisoprolol in am and 100mg Flecainide twice a day morning and night

[Paulbounce in reply to Caradomben]

Hi Cara.

I wonder if it would be worth taking your bisoprolol before you go to bed to help with the flutter and palpitations. 1.25mg is a small dose but ideal when taking flec to help with flutter. Bradycardia is a slow heart beat so I feel your doctor may not increase the dose but may suggest taking it at night.

If this happens every night at the same time there might be a trigger there somewhere. This is a long shot but have you tried changing your sleeping postion ? I sleep on my front but always leaning more to the right and it helped reduce 'feeling' my heart beat. I guess the ideal is to sleep on your back but I can't get to sleep if I do. I'm sure you know this but avoid eating a large meal before going to bed as this can sometimes trigger afib.

Sorry I can't help further.

Paul

Edit - the half life of bisoprolol around 12 hours and 1.25mg should stay in your system for 24 hours. However if you are an early riser and take it first thing then the affect will be starting to reduce. I would check with a medic to see if it's ok to take at night (should be) and see if that helps.

[Caradomben in reply to Paulbounce]

thank you for your reply. X Think I will speak to my GP about when to take the bisoprolol .. see if that helps. I always sleep on my left side because sleeping on right side triggers labyrinthitis.

[CDreamer]

Hi - i think you are correct in thinking that it’s likely to be related to your Bradycardia. Our Heart rates dip to their lowest when asleep and I certainly had nocturnal AF triggered by Bradycardia.

Have you had a diagnosis of AF or AFlutter?

[Caradomben in reply to CDreamer]

thank you for your reply . I have been diagnosed with AF which can go to flutter at times .

[BobD Volunteer]

Have you been tested for sleep apnoea?

[Fryguy]

This makes sense to me now as I always have palpitations and shortness of breath if I get up to use the bathroom at night . I take sotalol 80mg 2X a day , my heart rate at night will dip down to 30 . All the best to you and please let me know what you do to avoid it . 🤞

[Caradomben in reply to Fryguy]

thank you for your reply. It is somewhat comforting to know I’m not alone with these symptoms.

[pottypete1]

I have Bradycardia and on waking each morning I feel absolutely awful with acute nausea. It takes me some time to feel better.

I think it’s to do with the effect of the heart rate increasing after being extra slow during the night.

Pete

[Caradomben in reply to pottypete1]

thank you for your reply.

[TenorJK]

Mine was related to sleep apnoea have a word with your Dr.

[Rubymurray25]

As Bob asked , have you been tested for sleep apnea, mine was and was overlooked for years!

[Caradomben in reply to Rubymurray25]

have nt been tested but will certainly mention it next time I see my GP

[pottypete1 in reply to Caradomben]

When I was tested they put me in. Room in the hospital right next to the ward kitchen with a shared bathroom and communicating doors to the person next to me.

It was a nightmare and proved surprisingly inconclusive.

They ultimately gave me all the recording equipment to do the test at home but for me they said I was only borderline.

Pete

[Ppiman]

I suppose circadian rhythm might be a cause since levels of natural steroids fall during the night, I gather. As well as this, I have long suspected that body position and mechanics might also play a key role in causing heart issues; for example, the intestines and stomach push the diaphragm higher against the heart when we lie down; acid reflux also occurs more when the body is supine, and the oesophagus can, itself, naturally press against the left atrium. I've read several studies which show that even mild stretching of the heart can induce mild tachycardia and ectopy and both of those are known triggers for AF.

Steve

[Mugsy15]

If these were my symptoms I should want to understand fully why I'm taking Bisoprolol. My understanding is that this drug slows the pulse, which may not be a desired outcome in someone who already has Bradycardia and may account for your symptoms.

Do you know what your HR is when you wake up in the morning feeling unwell? This is generally when everyone's rate is at its slowest, and if your normal resting rate is 45-50 it may be even slower at these times. If that is the case, no wonder you feel grotty.