Woke up with sharp heart pain and palpitations

[agarriso]

Just had this happen again for the second morning in a row, about 4:45 this morning. I haven't really been sleeping the last few days, which probably isn't helping, but I woke up feeling like I wasn't breathing with a sudden sharp pain in my chest that caused me to sit up in bed and take a big gasp of air. Then it felt like my heart was fluttering (palpitations) and began to beat pretty fast for a few minutes before calming down. The irregular heart beat came and went (though to a lesser extent than the initial shock) with the same stabbing pain but much less severe than the initial one. Once I calmed down and got my breathing under control it seemed to subside slowly and I feel more or less normal now, but I'm wondering if this could have something to do with a combination of sleep apnea (waking up not breathing and having to inhale deeply) and some kind of heart condition (the combination of the sharp pain and subsequent rapid heart beat and palpitations). Also, its possible that the collarbone i broke on my right side a year ago (which has kept my sternum out of alignment often) has something to do with the pain. This is not the first time this has occurred in the last year, although it is has never occurred with such frequency (two mornings in a row). I should note that both times I had been in bed lying down (I think on my side) for a few hours. During this time I had been unable to fall asleep completely, and had only momentarily drifted off when the onset of the heart pain occurred. This might sound strange but the feeling in my chest was of the heart "slamming" open, as if there was a blockage or closed valve which prevented proper blood flow and then it was suddenly forced through, followed by the palpitations which I assume would indicate the heart trying to reestablish normal blood circulation and rhythm. As far as my health, I just turned 24 a few days ago and exercise regularly (cardio and weight lifting) at least 3 times a week and try to eat pretty healthy (avoid sugars, sodas, foods high in fat or sodium, drink plenty of water, am a nonsmoker) though I do drink alcohol probably two days a week and have a history of heart complications in my family (uncle had a heart attack at 37, grandpa had a quadruple bypass in mid 50's). I also heard that electrolyte imbalance may cause this, and have read about the precordial catch syndrome (probably closest description to what happened) or GERD can cause similar symptoms though I am unconvinced. Should I be concerned/ contact a doctor?  -Andrew

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi Andrew
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
The first thing to rule out is a heart condition by an EKG. Though you are not convinced, it can also be due to acidity with GERD which can cause hunger pangs in wee hours of the morning and this presents as a stabbing pain, heart fluttering and a feeling as though things are going to come out of your body. Try a late night snack. Omeprazole empty stomach in morning and antacid gel at bed time along with healthy diet should also help. Raise the head end of bed. It can also be sleep apnea, especially if you have not been sleeping well. If you get the ‘attack’ again, rush to ER for EKG. If this is normal, try to control GERD. If this does not help, consult a sleep specialist. Hope these tips help. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[Qteruby]

I think you should definitely have it checked.  I often experience the same thing - rapid heartbeat, palpitations, stabbing pain, etc.  I have already been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure, and when I get these symptoms, it is very scary.  I am in constant communication with my cardiologyst, and he assures me everything is fine with my heart, but I dont ever ignore my symptoms, no matter how small.

Take care!