rapid heart rate in the morning upon standing

[dmiller618]

For the past month or so I have had a rapid heart rate upon standing in the morning.  I t jumps from about 60 at rest to 120 for a couple of minutes.  if I sit back down it goes down again and then eventually settles to about 78 standing in about 10 min. or so lingering at first from 108 to 96 to 90  etc.  I am very anxious nd just had stress test, ekg echocardiogram, postural blood pressure tested, etc. all normal.  The doctor feels it is anxiety and wants me to take an antidepressant.  It doesn't happen any other time in the day, so how is it panic just in the morning?  Cardiologist said it is adrenaline and as long as it comes back down not to worry.  This  all started after I had an ovarian cyst rupture and then 2 days later my mom had unexpected bypass surgery,both things were traumatizing to me because I already suffer from ocd which in my case is about taking my pulse and blood pressure obsessively.  Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.  I am constantly worried about this.  Thank you!                                                   ps My heart has started racing upon waking in the night also.

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

I think it sounds like panic attacks/anxiety as well.  I know it sounds strange but what sold me was the waking in the middle of the night part.  I think you would be surprised how common your symptoms are -- people don't talk about this stuff at work or parties.

I agree that no specific treatment is necessary.  The hard part will be getting passed the OCD component.  I have made similar recommendations in the past about antidepressants.  My guess is that it will get better with time but it is worth considering the medications.  You should be reassured by the negative full cardiac work up.

[PikaPika88]

Hi, for me it is over a year or more.  Every wake up (morning or mid night), my heart will run like an express train. Last few months, it started to sweat.  If I awake 8 times during my sleep, my blanket will collect the sweat.  The final woke up just like I get up from the swimming pool!  A year ago, I told my cardiologist.  My chest like having an express train every morning when I woke up.  He told me, the pacemaker senses I awake so it pace (top up) the heart rate.  It prepares the rate for me which I can run for the day.  Gosh!  Don't need to pace like an "express train"?  Must be my pacemaker (not me) is having an anxiety or adrenaline rush!

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