While this can be annoying, it’s essential to keep in mind that it is usually not a symptom of something serious.
Sleeping on the side can cause you to experience palpitations at night, as it flexes your body and lies on the inside. Most palpitations that don’t interfere with the heart occur when you bend down.
This is because the ascending abdomen is transferred to the esophagus, which is located behind the heart’s left atrium. Another essential thing to consider when suffering from nocturnal anxiety is that palpitations can occur daily but are only seen at night due to lower back pain and reduced distraction while sleeping in bed.
Symptoms
The symptoms of palpitations can be worrying if they are not thought of or experienced before. Symptoms include:
- Losing Conscious
- Shortness of Breath
- Chest Pain
- Dizziness
Causes
There are many reasons for irregular heartbeat, including external conditions and several following conditions. Some causes include:
- Physical activity or other physical activity
- Certain medications, such as asthma, cold, or thyroid medications
- Alcohol
- Stress or other strong emotions
- Recreational drug use
- Caffeine
- Nicotine
Many underlying conditions can cause heart palpitations, including:
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypotension
- Arrhythmia, irregular heartbeat
- Hypoglycemia
- Red blood cells
A 2018 study found symptoms associated with cardiac arrhythmias in 81% of patients. The following diseases can also cause irregular heartbeat while sleeping:
- Dehydration
- Fever
- Pregnancy
- Eat foods high in sodium glutamate (MSG), fat, or sugar.
Diagnosis
For heart palpitations, your doctor may ask you:
- When heart palpitations occur
- The feelings you have
- Duration of palpitations
- How much does it happen
- Trigger of palpitations, such as nausea, vomiting, or caffeine, or overeating
- Lifestyle
- Known underlying conditions
Then your doctor will do a physical exam. One or more tests can be performed, including:
- Holter monitor, which monitors a person’s heart for 24 to 48 hours to show how the heart is working
- Electrocardiogram (ECG), which shows the heart rate
- Echocardiography to assess the structure of the heart
- Loop recorder, a herbal device that detects irregular heartbeats over time
- Stress test
Blood tests to check for any of the following conditions:
- Anemia
- Underactive thyroid
- Lack of potassium
Risk Factors
There are a lot of things that can make heart palpitation worse, some of which can be experienced daily, including:
Over-the-counter drugs containing caffeine, nicotine, pseudoephedrine, or stimulants such as cocaine or amphetamines
Treatments such as anemia, high blood pressure, hypoglycemia, or thyroid disease
- Chocolate
- Alcohol
- Fatigue or Insomnia
- Depression or Anxiety
- Stress
- Hormonal changes due to pregnancy, menopause, or sex
Treatment
Treatment for palpitations depends on the cause.
If the reason is not apparent, the practices often result in lifestyle changes, such as:
- Practice mindfulness to reduce stress.
- Stop smoking and second-hand smoke if available
- Avoid caffeine
- Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption
- Drink lots of water or other fluids
- Eat regularly
- Get enough sleep
Doctors may also look at a person’s medications to determine if they are causing an irregular heartbeat. If the underlying pain is known to be the cause, medical advice should be followed to treat it.
Managing Irregular Heartbeat at Night
Often, nocturnal palpitations do not require treatment. Especially if it happens sometimes, you can reduce heart palpitations at night on your own. If your heart beats irregular at night, you should:
Deep Breathing
Try closed-lip breathing, which includes deep, long breathing. You can think about and try other forms of relaxation to reduce stress.
Drink a glass of water
When dehydrated, the heart has to work more to pump blood.
Roll or stand and walk
Changing your body to reduce palpitations will suffice.
Try sitting
In bed, sitting up, or taking short walks around the room while breathing deeply.
If the pain makes your heart beat faster, your doctor will treat it. Treatment depends on the cause. Sometimes doctors will prescribe a drug called a beta-blocker to treat heart disease. These drugs slow down the heart rate and reduce palpitations.
Preventive Measures
You can’t prevent heart palpitations at night, but they can lower your risk. You have to:
- Don’t drink too much alcohol or caffeine, especially at bedtime.
- If you smoke, talk to your doctor about smoking cessation plans.
- Before bed, don’t overeat (especially fatty foods, carbohydrates, salt, or sugar).
- Get treatment for your anxiety or depression.
- Take steps to reduce daily stress.
- Try meditation, yoga, diaphragmatic breathing, and other relaxations.
- Weight loss. If you are overweight or obese, follow weight loss plans.
If you are often experiencing irregular heartbeats at night, you should consult a Cardiologist in Karachi. You can visit Marham to contact one of the best Cardiologists in Karachi.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1- When should I be concerned about an irregular heartbeat?
The abnormal heartbeats that occur regularly do not cause serious problems. However, it is essential to see a doctor if symptoms persist for a long time or are severe or recurring.
2- What vitamin deficiency can cause palpitations?
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to magnesium and calcium deficiency and can cause heart palpitations.
3- What is the most common cause of heart failure?
The most common type of arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation, which causes an abnormal heart rhythm. Many factors can contribute to heart atherosclerosis, such as heart attack, smoking, heart failure, and depression. Certain drugs or prescriptions can also cause arrhythmias.
4- How long can you stay with an irregular heart rate?
Scientists say increased prevention is the key to getting more benefits. More than 2 million Americans suffer from atrial fibrillation, a heart attack that shortens life for up to two years. Mortality associated with atrial fibrillation has improved over the past 45 years but is marginal.
