pounding heart at rest

[sciman]

Has anyone experienced having your heart pound while you're trying to sleep. All the cardiologists I speak with say that you just sense your heart more when you're resting because there are no distractions. I understand that reasoning, but I don't always get this pounding sensation. It's not palpitations and my heart isn't racing. It's as if the valves are slamming shut, kind of like when you slam a door extra hard. I've checked my blood pressure when it's happening and to my amazement it's usually normal. I don't understand why cardiologists have not been able to answer such a basic question.

[NTB]

> I've checked my blood pressure when it's happening and to my amazement it's usually normal.

Just supposing here: I'd think that if the heart contracts more forcefully, but the arteries are "compliant" so that they expand with the extra force, then the pressure inside the artery would not rise.

The heart can vary its rate, the force of contraction, and the amount of fluid expelled per contraction. The arteries can vary the amount of resistance they give. (Then there can also be variance in the amount of fluid in the system.)

So if the heart pumps strongly, but with relatively little volume, then that especially tends to make the arterial pressure not rise if the arteries are healthily compliant. How's that sound for off the top of my head ? :)

[Encephalomalcia]

Yes, mine pounds at night sometimes too.  Doctors told me it is most likely an adrenal problem and that it should not hurt me or shorten my lifespan.  Causes can be caffeine, black licorce, and exercise.