Mystery Heart Palpitations

[Mgs333]

Looking for answers....I have had night-time palpitations for around 4 years, thats EVERY night without fail. They only occur when I am lying down and at rest, if I manage to get some sleep, they wake me up. They are really violent single thumps that give me a jolt...is really scary sometimes. I have seen 4 different cardiologists and have had every test they can think of including angiograms, calcium scores,6 ecgs, stress tests and ultrasounds etc etc....all have shown no major problems. My heart is in good shape and my valves are ok.

I don't smoke or drink, my diet is good and caffeine free....so whats going on ?

Its driving me nuts and ruining my life.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! This must be incredibly distressing for you. As you have had so many tests and lead a "clean" lifestyle it is hard to know what to suggest! 😕

One cause can be thyroid issues but I would have thought this had been tested for. Anemia and dehydration are other potential causes.

As it happens as you go to sleep another thought is some form of sleep apnea.

Do you take any vitamins, herbal supplements, etc? Many cardiologists particularly dislike herbal supplements and it has to be remembered they are sold to you to make money rather than make you better!

Apologies rather a ramble and clutching at straws but you seem to have exhausted the mainstream. Good luck!

[Calliope153 in reply to MichaelJH]

Random thought which might be worth a try - sleep propped up on a pile of pillows for at least a week. My GP suggested sleep aponea tests because i woke up most nights with a jerk and racing heart. Avoided the sleep aponea tests by sleeping on V pillow and three others...... problem is solved but if I "fall off" the pillows and sleep flat then it will happen again.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Calliope153]

I have seen it suggested it is better to sleep on the back rather than side.

[dunestar]

Have you been referred to a sleep clinic? The palpitations may be the effect of something else rather than the cause, if you know what I mean.

[Qualipop]

I would ask for a heart monitor for several days to see if it can catch an episode.

[Mgs333]

Thanks for your interest guys, all your thoughts are sensible however I have already done these....ie sleep clinic, thyroid test, special pillows, changing medication I've done the lot, but still no help. The medics have said that they put it down to benign PVC's which can be difficult to treat but that doesn't explain why it only happens when I lie down and try to sleep. Infact I have noticed that when I sit up in bed they stop....its bloody bonkers. Sorry for going on a bit but after over 4 yrs of these every night I am pretty desperate!

[sandrann in reply to Mgs333]

Hi there Mgs333 I've just read your post and it reminded me of when I was still working, my occupation being a holistic therapist, and I had a client with similar issues to yourself, it was discovered she had minor issues with her spine due to an accident she had in her youth, after physiotherapy she was able to sleep lying down without any palpitations.

Thought I'd share this with you as it rang bells.

Hoping it will be of some help.

Sending you hugs 🤗

[Mgs333 in reply to sandrann]

Thanks for the info....Coincidentally I too had a fall some years ago and broke vertebrae in my back......I wonder if ??......I will get it checked! Thanks again.

[Friends31 in reply to Mgs333]

How you doing now? I have mystery palpitations and was told that I had a muscular issue which was causing my vagus nerve to be trapped and I should see an osteopath. I have been going for over 4 weeks now but nothing has improved as of yet!

[Puffinglady]

Do not lay flat immediately on getting into bed . Have a good drink of water last thing . This may help . Hope so . As you become sleepy gradually slide down until supine.