"shock" to the heart

  Sometimes, mostly while I am trying to go to sleep, I will get a very strong
  shock in my heart.  Like a bolt of lightening hit me.  It is really strong and
  painful.  It almost makes my body jump up off the bed like you see in doctor shows
  on TV when they zap them after their heart has stopped.  What is this????
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Dear Jana,
The technical name for this is "myoclonic jerk".  This is a normal phenomenon that occurs in virtually everyone from time to time.  It is not a cardiac event but a neurologic discharge that causes this "jolt" and is nothing to be worried about.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.  The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.