AF,HF and muscle pain

[Chillpirate]

Hi all, just a theory, looking for anyone who has similar...Diagnosed on Nov 24 with AF and HF, still awaiting Echo and consult with cardiologist..

At night I get to sleep ok but awaken after 2hrs ISH with severe muscle pain in the upper shoulders and lower back, as soon as I get out of bed and move around a bit, go to toilet for eg, the pain goes away considerably, enough for me to get back to sleep, my theory is, when I am asleep my heart rate slows right down and starves my muscles of oxygen or an enzyme or protein or something, I thought it was my mattress to start but have different beds so done Goldilocks test and no difference, just a theory, will eventually ask Cardiologist.

[Blearyeyed]

Everybody's heart rate and blood pressure decreases during sleep, so yes, it is possible that they are getting a little too low , causing your heart rate to raise an overshoot to get things back to normal, this can cause you to wake up , feel breathless or have palpitations and gave discomfort,The other very common option is not heart related , although it can happen if you are also on heart medications.

You could be having acid reflux / GERD as you sleep.

The acid moving into the oesophagus as you are lying down causes heart burn , pain and discomfort.

For some people the symptoms can feel as bad as when they have heart related pain.

This gets better after you walk about because obviously the acid returns to the stomach.

It gets better as you empty your bladder because there is less pressure pressing against your stomach so the acid doesn't rise up again.

If it's acid related , or caused by low heart rate or low blood pressure the treatment is much the same to see if you can relieve it.

Drink the recommended amount of fluids during the day, especially at meal times.

Have any supper snack or drinks with milk you usually have but leave two hours before bed .

( Eating too close to sleep also increases the chances of very low heart rate or blood pressure as digestion also decreases these)

Raise your head and shoulders on comfortably graduated pillows so that your upper body is raised.

Sleep on your left hand side or back in that raised position.

If it continues despite making these small changes contact your GP and get things checked , just in case you need further tests , a new medication or change in the time or doses of things to help ease the symptoms.

Take care , Bee

[Chillpirate in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thank you Bee,I will follow your recommendations and see if that makes any difference......🙂