Pounding heart

I have a mild cardiomyopathy (ef 45%). I've noticed at times when I go to bed that my heart pounds particularly hard. It's not a palpitation and it's not beating faster than usual. When I get up to check my blood pressure at these times it's usually close to normal (128/78). It's not a matter of being more sensitive to my heart beat at night because sometimes I don't feel it at night. My cardiologist has no explanation and I'm surprised that there would be no explanation to such a straight forward symptom. The only explanation I've heard that seems to describe it, is that the contraction is less smooth than normal and as a result the valves slam shut with additional force making the heart beat more pronounced. Although there are no other symptoms that accompany it, the experienc can be a little disconcerting especially since I have a mild cardiomyopathy.

[ireneo]

Do you notice it more in one position vs. another? I know many people that just can't lay on their left side for example because of the pounding heart beat. Have you tried elevating your head a bit more (2 pillows perhaps)?

My heart will pound at night if I've had too much sodium during the day. Not sure if it's the extra fluid retention or what. But once I've emptied my bladder a few times (usually between 8 and midnight), things seem to quiet down in there.