Tachycardia only when waking up from nap or sleep EVERY DAY!!

[alan411]

I am 24, and for the past 3 weeks have been having tachycardia when waking up from a short nap or from a long nights sleep EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR THE PAST 3 WEEKS. I was waking up at night with the same problem but was prescribed xanax, the night episodes have stopped but the tachycardia when waking up from naps or sleep have continued ( mighth be gettting worse, I don't know) Does anyone know what I might have? I am very scared. I don't have health insurance so if anyone know what kind of specialist I need to see and what tests I might need done. Also if you guys know what condition I might have. THANK YOU FOR ANY COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS!

[MichelleP_3811]

Have you had your thyroid levels checked.  A rate of 150-160 does sound like inappropriate sinus tachycardia and a lot of times that is caused by something outside the heart.  I might also check into any stomach issues.  If you are having any sort of acid reflux it could be irritating the heart into beating fast.  I would suggest when you feel the heart starting to beat fast drink a big glass of water or two to see if that helps.  It does with me.  As for the doctor just be perrsistent with the issue imparting on them that it is disrupting your life and you will get the help you need.  Though it is likely whatever it is is very possibly from an external cause.  Your heart is a very strong resilient muscle that can handle a lot.  A rate of 150-160 would need to be beating for an extended period of time non stop for you to truly be in any physical danger.  The heart can tolerate the rate but that doesn't mean you have to.  So just be your own best advocate but try not to stress too much as that could be making it worse. Just remind yourself you are not in any mortal danger and try to relax as best you can and drink the water when the symptoms appear and it should help to calm the heart down.  Then just keep persisting to get to the bottom of the cause of the beat.  Good luck and stay strong.  Keep us posted on how you are doing.

[zzoe]

Yes thyroid can cause this.  I have the same, and have no thyroid so am dependent on Synthroid.  It causes bad side effects for me.  I am exhausted trying to regulate it.  I am now waking up with 150+ the last week.  Out of breath a lot on walking, and feel it is the Synthroid which I have to take as I had RAI 20 years ago.  Look into your thyroid, or thyroid meds or Graves disease.

[Aragonite]

zzoe: visit the Stop the Thyroid Madness (STTM) website (www.stopthethyroidmaddness.com) which explains the complications from T4-only medications like Synthroid and what you can try instead.  I found your comment while looking up why my heart might be racing upon waking in the morning and am still trying to find the optimal dosage of natural desiccated thyroid medication to use for my hypothyroid condition.  My doc recommends adrenal support too, and both thyroid and adrenal function can affect heart rate.  It's not surprising that a person with a struggling endocrine system will experience rapid heart beats upon waking since your cortisol levels need to come up in a controlled fashion that your system may not be able to regulate well.  The STTM website and community delves into all of these kinds of issues.  I have found it very helpful.

[moniquemonicat]

Excellent website (Stop the Thyroid Madness).  I just ordered their adrenalin saliva test.  Just want to say a lot of people AND DOCTORS assume a racing heart is more hyperthyroid, but it can accompany HYPOthyroid as well and so it is often never detected since doctors only order the TSH test and incorrectly assume if the TSH is normal then all is well in the thyroid.  That may be true as far in many cases but it was not with me.  It wasn't until I took the Free T3 (FT3) & Free T4 (FT4) that my LOW FT4 showed up.

READ THIS: "The adrenal glands secrete noradrenaline to compensate for the lack of thyroid hormone, and noradrenaline raises the heart rate. Unfortunately, it’s hard to secrete just a little noradrenaline, so the heart rate becomes elevated, blood pressure rises, and the person feels anxious. TSH may be normal, but low Free T3 and Free T4 levels and a low body temperature confirm the hypothyroid state. "
more here:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Thyroid-Disorders/palpitations-and-rapid-heart-beat-with-hypothyroid/show/744773#post_14219715

[katfly22]

I am in the exact boat as you.  I am home with my young son and scared I'll pass out or die from an attack and nobody will know for hours.  In my sleep deprived desperation I get panic attacks during the fast heart beat, and start to hit my chest (which I know I shouldnt and its not that hard) because I get so desperate for it to stop.  Have you found out what was going on?  Last night was the last straw.  I'm too scared to not do anything anymore.  I'm hopefully seeing a  cardiologist this week.   I  hope you're doing better, and that your pregnancy is/was going well.  

[Mamalilbird]

I have had this too for over two years. No answers. And its driving me crazy. It is every day. I can lay down for hours awake...and it does not happen. If i am trying to nap or half asleep it does everytime.

[mrs_jenna]

Just so you know, I found that 50mg magnesium supplement every day helped me a lot.

[moniquemonicat]

READ THIS: "The adrenal glands secrete noradrenaline to compensate for the lack of thyroid hormone, and noradrenaline raises the heart rate. Unfortunately, it’s hard to secrete just a little noradrenaline, so the heart rate becomes elevated, blood pressure rises, and the person feels anxious. TSH may be normal, but low Free T3 and Free T4 levels and a low body temperature confirm the hypothyroid state. "
more here:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Thyroid-Disorders/palpitations-and-rapid-heart-beat-with-hypothyroid/show/744773#post_14219715

Just think, having ADRENALIN pumping in you upon waking up!  That's what it feels like.  Pounding heart and feeling like an electrical being.  This is before getting up from bed and before even having first thoughts, good thoughts or bad thoughts.  It's before any thoughts there's that heart pounding and the internal shaking.

I really believe it is at the onset of when CORTISOL is released in the morning.  As for naps?  I personally don't get it then, only in morning upon opening my eyes and before I even get out of bed or stand.  I have low thyroid levels and believe my body is sending out adrenalin to compensate for the lack of thyroid.  Please get your thyroid full panel done, don't let them just give you a TSH test that showed normal for me but the FreeT-4 and FreeT-3 were LOW.  I ordered those tests myself at EXPRESS LAB you can go down and do yourself.  It cost me $75 + get the antibody tests for thyroid and the reverse T4 too.  Get all the 6 tests they have:

   1) TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
   2) Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO Antibodies)
   3) Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TG Antibodies)
   4) Free T3
5) Free T4

Note: most docs order the first test TSH and think that is all that's needed but I found out it was useless because I have secondary hypothyroid, at this point we are thinking it is adrenal fatigue that caused that.

DON'T WORRY.  knowledge is power and seek and ye shall find!!

[samboa]

There seems to be a trend in a lot of these questions that many of you shared that you have anxiety or panic. I struggle with both as well and have experienced the rapid heart rate.  I'm curious to know what you are doing to not just help your physical responses to stress/anxiety, but also to help you change your relationship with it. I still have anxious moments but I've worked really hard to have a different relationship with my thoughts, my racing heart etc.  I've been working over the past four years to adopt a mindfulness practice as well as turning towards the anxiety.  I know that sounds strange because anxiety/panic doesn't feel good.  I've found that by accepting this is something I have, to ride the waves of chemicals when they are released in stead of fighting them the anxiety doesn't control me like it used to.  I would be happy to share more of my story if this was useful.  

[Bolgar]

Take a beta blocker(blocks adrenaline from attaching to beta receptors), metaprolol xl before you go to sleep, say 10-20 MG. That way, even with nightmares, your heart won't race, and also when you wake up. Double check with the doctor if you can. Worked good for me.

[TLC111]

I recently was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and MVP syndrome. I've had anxiety disorder for years. I've noticed since they put me on beta blockers that I wake up in the morning and upon getting up my heart rate soars and I don't feel well until I eat, take my beta blocker and anxiety pill and wait a couple of hours.

[willerino]

Have you ever been checked for sleep apnoea? If this is the case, the Xanax would likely be exacerbating the effects of your sleep apnoea, and be quite detrimental to your health. Sleep clinics can be very expensive, so another way of finding out is to just ask people who have been around you while you are sleeping if you snore heavily, or record yourself sleeping.

It is also possible you are experiencing night terrors, if you seem to be waking all of a sudden with an elevated heart rate.

[78kell]

I suffer from this also i was diagnosed with a dysautonomic syndrome called POTS postural orthastatic tachycardic syndrome. I get really out of it aswel when this happens its really scary. U guys should look up POTS it took 10yrs before i got a diagnosis. Its not rare just rarely diagnosed.

[henrymel]

I have pots and IST. Luckily I was diagnosed pretty quick. But the bad news it they told me they can't do anything to help me. They said to try and exercise

[mrs_jenna]

I was just in the ER because my heart rate was 145 and wouldn't go down after 2 hours. I was diagnosed with dehydration and low potassium and the beginning of pneumonia -- all 3 can cause high heart rate they told me. Is it possible you are dehydrated?

[Odyvanchk]

Thank you. I have pots. But the symptoms are while still in bed,not upon standing up. How many people with pots know that they might have passed out during tilt table test in a normatensive state? Nevertheless the doctors still give you POTS diagnosis.

[henrymel]

I have pots and IST. I think they both go hand and hand

[idamahyp]

I personally experience also rapid heart rate in the morning when waking up. Not VERY rapid, but anyway, (much) more rapid that in all the other moments of the day. Sometimes also after a nap. I think - I'm pretty sure that it has to do with adrenal hormones, particularly cortisol which is released around 3 am and arrives at its peak around 6-7-8 am. Cortisol and catecholamines ( adrenaline) are synergic. So, probably adrenaline is the answer. You should lower your cortisol, nd I should try to do the same.

[idamahyp]

I personally experience also rapid heart rate in the morning when waking up. Not VERY rapid, but anyway, (much) more rapid that in all the other moments of the day. Sometimes also after a nap. I think - I'm pretty sure that it has to do with adrenal hormones, particularly cortisol which is released around 3 am and arrives at its peak around 6-7-8 am. Cortisol and catecholamines ( adrenaline) are synergic. So, probably adrenaline is the answer. You should lower your cortisol, nd I should try to do the same.

[ladybug66]

It's now 2013, I'm 66 and just reading this. About 10 years ago I started having a rapid heartbeat just out of the blue. Rates like 180bpm - scared me to death. I wore a holter monitor and was awakened with a racing heart. I went to a cardiologist and found I had three kinds of tachys going on. A PVT (polymorphic ventricular tachycardia), SVT (supraventricular tachycardia), and PVC (premature ventricular contractions). I was put on beta blockers but the rapid heartbeat would come through. Eventually I had a cathether ablation which solved the problem and haven't had an "out of the blue" heartbeat since. In looking back, I think it started with my dentist using epinephrine when he worked on my teeth.

Unfortunately, I just had oral dental surgery and the doctor insisted on using epinephrine and I'm noticing an elevated pounding in my chest that I now need to get checked. Hope you were able to get your problems solved.

[HeatherGB]

I get the same feeling, and have small children too!  I'm so terrified my heart is going to give out on me in the wee hours of the morning and I won't be able to take care of them or see them again.  I wake up  and my heart is just beating so hard out of my chest, it's doing like 150-160.  My doctor won't take me seriously either.  I called to make an appt for Friday and the lady in the dr office just said, you have an appt on Monday and the doctor WILL NOT see you until then.  I know she thinks I'm crazy, and right now I have no insurance, so I don't really know what to do--I cannot dr. shop.  I am severely hoping that the dr. will listen to me  when I go in and not dismiss me as psychologically unbalanced.  She's ran tests, and the only thing that comes back is Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia.  I would really like a beta blocker to kind of help with the symptoms I'm experiencing, and I hope she listens.  If she doesn't, I don't know what I'll do.

[madamebrianne]

Hello,

Please look into Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). It is a very unheard of nervous system disorder that prevents the body from being able to properly adjust to the pull of gravity. Therefore, symptoms arise, such as: rapid heart rate upon standing, low or high blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, fatigue, sweating, headaches, shortness of breath, inability to exercise, digestion problems, etc. The symptoms are endless and vary person to person day to day.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Best wishes,
Brandi

[moniquemonicat]

POTS is when you stand up upon waking.  Many of us are having the pounding heart just upon opening our eyes before we even rise up out of bed so that has nothing to do with gravity or standing up from a resting position.  The onset of heart pounding is simply upon waking, still lying in bed.  One thought: Cortisol is highest in the morning and it's possible our adrenal gland is releasing adrenaline because our thyroid is sluggish or low.  Just a thought. Get Free T3, Free T4, and the thyroid antibody test.  The TSH test is worthless by itself.  My TSH normal but my FT4 & 3 LOW.

[DeltaDawn23]

I wonder if obstructive sleep apnea could be at play here?  I have it and even tho I use a CPAP machine, I sometimes still wake with a rapid, sometimes irregular heartbeat.  Just a thought . . .

[AngelsBabies0809]

I know exactly how that feels. It is almost 2am and I have been awake for over an hour. I wake up with my heart going so fast that I am so scared I'm going to die and start freaking out. I am afraid to move or get up. When I finally do, I go take Propanaol. After awhile it drops, but I am still scared to move or go back to sleep. I have three little one 4yrs and under and another one on the way. I get scared that somethings going to happen and no one will know and my little ones will be scared. What do I do?

[Kimsanleanne]

I also have this problem of tachycardia upon waking from naps and sleep... I also notice that my heart beat is not only fast but irregular.  I know it can not be my thyroid as that has been disabled, when I was diagnosed ten or more years ago with GRAVES DISEASE.  I experienced similar symptoms when I had the Graves.  Stress is my middle name, but I find it hard to believe that this is due to only stress and not some kind of clinical basis.

[lulu7779]

It is so reassuring that other people are having this too. I am actually dealing with it at the moment. It happens every morning and causes me to be late to class because I'm scared to get ready too fast and raise my heart rate any higher. I've been battling with anxiety and panic disorder for 6 years and it has become extremely debilitating. This problem just started to be everyday about a month ago. Its gotten to the point where I have panic attacks when I'm trying to go to sleep because I know that I'm going to wake up with this again. I'm seeing a therapist and taking zoloft but neither seem to help. Does anyone have tips on how to make this stop or at least control it?

[lulu7779]

It is so reassuring that other people are having this too. I am actually dealing with it at the moment. It happens every morning and causes me to be late to class because I'm scared to get ready too fast and raise my heart rate any higher. I've been battling with anxiety and panic disorder for 6 years and it has become extremely debilitating. This problem just started to be everyday about a month ago. Its gotten to the point where I have panic attacks when I'm trying to go to sleep because I know that I'm going to wake up with this again. I'm seeing a therapist and taking zoloft but neither seem to help. Does anyone have tips on how to make this stop or at least control it?

[questionnone]

I suggest anyone who hasn't had a holter monitor yet to request one because then your cardiologist/electrophysiologist will see how your heart is throughout the day including when you sleep. They ask you to keep a log of activities and going to sleep/waking up is one of the activities you are required to write down. Since tachycardia when waking up is your only problem, a 24-hour monitor might be given to you so it's just a day of wearing that thing. Wear one for a day and turn in the results so you can feel at ease.

[greeneyes2758]

hello everyone!!! my heart beats really fast just about every morning after getting out of bed!!!! also after eating ir beats fast most of the time to !!! i'm at my roads end!!! any advice would help!!!!!!!!!!!

[Charmbracelet81]

I just want to sympathize....it is 3:30 am where I am and here I am because I can't/am afraid to go back to sleep because my heart woke me up :o( I just recently had echo/holter which my diagnosis was PAC's only.  So now that I have this new symptom, I am very uneasy. :o( I rolled over and felt my heart pounding in my chest and sat up and it was 150 BPM.  I tried really hard not to panic (I have anxiety/panic disorder) and after about 30 minutes and some water, it went back down...only thing is, I'm afraid to go back to sleep...anyone else??

[Cjewell606]

I'm always afraid 2 sleep it's such a horrible feeling and horrifying 2 wake up like that.Anyone ever get a diagnosis?