electrical charges at night

[focusgirl]

I have lived with an irregular heart beat for years, but it is not something that happens all the time.  What I would like to know is what it means when you lay down at night to go to sleep, and all of a sudden its like you get an electrical charge, as if your heart is restarting.  Its just one jolt, and then it okay for a short time and then I may have another one.  It doesnt happen every single night, but a few nights a week.  My Body Mass Index is perfect, my BP is 110/90; and my cholestrol level is 4.85.  Every thing seems to be fine health wise, except for this electrical problem.  I"ve even worn a  halter monitor, and it never seems to show up at the time.  I am a 46 year old, and wonder if I need to look in to it further?  Please advise!  Thanks.

[focusgirl]

Hi There:  I went on to your site that you mentioned, but what I see there is with regard to muscle movements that twitch involuntarily, usually caused from a lack of insufficient sleep.  This problem comes directly from the heart, but thank-you for your info.  I've just received new information actually with regard to menopause that is at the onset of happening.  Thru this period im told that some women have arrythmias and stuff, so it could possibly come from that.  I've also learnt about the benifits of magnesium as well, so it may just be a passing thing.  The last few days have been problem free, so wish me luck!!

[fwilson]

To me this sounds more like something neurologic not cardiac.

Look up hypnic jerks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnic_jerk

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

It is tough to say without seeing the Holter or rhythm when you are having the symptoms.  It might be a PAC or PVC.  Some people notice them more when they are flat and still.

An event monitor (30 days) may help if they were unable to record an event in 24-48 hours.

Thanks for posting.