Do you often wake up in the middle of the night with your heart racing and it’s not a reaction to a bad dream? If this happens frequently it could be a sign of a more serious health matter.
You might be having what experts call heart palpitations, which can be caused by several factors.
According to Guy’s and Thomas’ Specialist Care, heart palpitations are a common sensation of heartbeat, lasting a few seconds to minutes and causing discomfort. They can indicate a heart condition like arrhythmia and may be harmless in most cases, but can be treated if necessary. “It may feel like your heart is pounding, fluttering, beating irregularly, or beating faster.”
The above source further explains that heart palpitations may be more common at night due to lying down, pressure buildup in the body, and people sleeping on their side, particularly on their left side, may experience more intense sensations.
Nighttime heart palpitations can be caused by various medical and mental health conditions, including heart problems, sleep apnea, stress and anxiety, alcohol and caffeine consumption, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, sleep position, and other triggers, states the Sleep Foundation.
The above foundation also explains that consuming certain beverages, especially close to bedtime, can also trigger heart palpitations at night. Heavy alcohol users have a greater risk of cardiomyopathy, a condition that enlarges the heart and increases the risk of arrhythmias. Caffeine use can elevate the heart rate and add extra beats, with effects lasting up to eight hours.
To remedy these palpitations, the Cleveland Clinic suggests that you take long, deep breaths by using pursed lip breathing methods and breathe deeply. It is also advised that you sip on some water as a dehydrated body requires more effort from the heart to pump blood.
Medical News Today claims that heart palpitation treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include lifestyle changes, medication reviews, and medical advice. Common treatments include cardiac ablation, defibrillation, cardioversion, and medications like beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers. Lifestyle changes may also be recommended to reduce the frequency of palpitations add the mentioned source.
Also see: This is why wine is good for your heart
