Woke up with sharp heart pain and palpitations back to back mornings

[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

[agarriso]

This post seems to describe exactly what happened better than I feel I described it:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Heart-Rhythm/very-strange-heart-sensation-followed-by-adrenaline-rush-and-fast-heartbeat---very-worried-about-this/show/1010248

[viperron]

I feel for you brother, I have some problems but no pain and I pray I won't. I agree a good doctor is in order. Best of luck to you

[agarriso]

Hey guys, thanks for the responses. As far as the sternum, it will occasionally feel tight or have pressure and if i stretch my back or neck it will often times "pop" like like a knuckle and feel much better. I've never been worried about this as it can happen as a result of regular weight lifting as the chest expands though I have noticed it more often since the broken collar bone (I did not have surgery, just let it heal so there is a pronounced bump where it fused back together and I believe it is slightly shorter, hence the occasional misalignment). I have not talked about any of this with a doctor yet, and will let you know what they have to say once I do.

[cindy707]

Hi Andrew i too read your post...i have to agree w. Jerry on this one.....could be nothing to worry about other than something muscular could be something more w. your family history especially if you had an uncle suffer a heart attack at such a young age.  Some things that are jumping out at me personally is that some of this sounds like angina to me in typical fashion but again like you posted you have an issue w. a sternum that is out of alignment and are still lifting weights which could also explain this.  Because you are in a higher risk catagory w. your family history i too ditto the idea that you should see your family doc and if necessary he/she can refer you over to a heart doc.  You should be aware of the symtoms of a males heart attack even if this is muscular because of your family history and the easiest reading for lay people is to go onto the American Red Cross site and look up "symtoms" because they are pretty basic...good luck to you and re post to let us know how this works out after the docs appointment.....

[Jerry_NJ]

Your post is very clear, but complicated.  It leaves open anything thing from nothing to serious.  I think it wise to see at least your primary care doctor... maybe a general check up and an electrocardiogram.  You collar bone and sternum alignment description troubles me, especially with your weight lifting exercises.. has that problem ever been discussed with a doctor?