Our heart not only pumps blood throughout our body but also reacts to the emotions we feel. It will flutter, skip a beat, or do a flip in your chest based on your mood. However, don’t always mistake these as ‘reactions’ to your emotions. Sometimes, this fluttering, skipping beats, and flipping can actually be a heart palpitation. Although usually harmful, you can get them throughout the day, especially if you suffer from conditions like heart disease or a thyroid disorder. We will discuss heart palpitations at night and all you need to know about them.
Heart Palpitations at Night Symptoms
Heart palpitations make you aware of your own heart rate. You might experience these symptoms when lying down:
- Irregular heart rate, which might feel like your heart is beating out of rhythm.
- Pounding like your heart is beating very hard.
- Fluttering, feeling a flapping sensation in your chest.
Why Do Heart Palpitations at Night Occur?
Most of the time, heart palpitations don’t occur because of an underlying condition. Premature Ventricular Contraction (PMC) or Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC) is the usual culprit behind palpitations. This condition occurs when your heartbeats are out of rhythm or occur too soon. Although it is not something everyone experiences, many people experience PMC or PAC.
Your sleeping position also affects your heart rate and rhythm. If you hunch over on your side while sleeping, it increases pressure and causes palpitations. Some other common reasons for heart palpitations during the day or at night include:
- Panic Attacks: Panic attacks due to anxiety, stress, or depression can cause heart palpitations.
- Electrolyte Imbalance/ Dehydration: Your body contains electrolytes, which are minerals that help keep your heart beat stable. An electrolyte imbalance or dehydration can lead to alterations in your heart’s rhythm.
- Obesity: Obesity or extra weight can result in heart problems. It might also cause abnormal heart rhythms.
- Diet: Foods or beverages with high sugar content, fats, or sodium can also be behind heart palpitations at night. Alcohol, caffeine, and chocolate contribute to this condition too.
- Drugs: Drugs like nicotine can cause changes in your heart’s rhythm. In addition, diet pills and nasal decongestants with pseudoephedrine also result in this condition.
- Hormonal Changes: Women going through hormonal changes due to pregnancy or menopause might experience heart palpitations too. They are very common during pregnancy and usually do not signify anything serious.
- Health Conditions: People who have these health conditions also experience this problem:
- Heart disease
- Anemia
- Heart rhythm problems
- Hypotension
- Hypoglycemia
- Metabolic syndrome
- Myocarditis
- Thyroid problems
- Structural problems in the heart
Dealing with Nighttime Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations typically don’t require treatment, especially if they’re occasional. If you experience an alteration in your heartbeat at night, try these:
- Take long and deep breaths by trying the pursued breathing technique.
- Relaxation techniques like meditation
- Drink water
- Roll in bed, sit up, or take a short walk around the room and take deep breaths
- Go to a doctor to treat the underlying condition.
What is The Takeaway?
Heart palpitations at night can occur due to many reasons. They don’t pose any risk if they occur rarely. However, you’ll need medical attention for an underlying cause. Visit our Internal Medicine Diagnostic Center team to get treated. You can schedule an appointment at (281) 252-8600.