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Sleep > bradycardia > tachycardia episode > wake up
by Off-beat, Jun 14, 2007 12:00AM
Anyone have experience with sleep-induced slow heart rate (bradycardia) that in turn triggers tachycardia episodes? I'm currently on metoprolol to stabilize my heart rate, and it's been working pretty well to suppress the tachy episodes that were waking me up multiple times every night. Since then, I've realized that I feel much more alert and rested in the morning. I think the sleep-bradycardia must've been gradually getting worse over time, but I didn't notice it until it got so severe that it started triggering tachy episodes. But recently the metoprolol isn't working as well anymore. I'm wondering what's next.
My theory is that, when I sleep, my heart rate is dropping very low (possibly related to a central sleep apnea?), and when it drops too low, the ventricle starts firing independently as the electric potential builds too high, leading to a temporary "loop" tachy arrhythmia. So, the solution would seem to be to prevent the slow heart rate in the first place, but direct treatments for CSA/bradycardia seem pretty crude to non-existent - cloddish breathing apparatus, or pacemakers - I'm hoping for something less invasive.
I also have PVCs - have had for years.
I've been through full battery of heart tests including EP study - they told me I just have a 'benign arrythmia'.
Anyone who's found a good treatment for sleep-induced bradycardia, I'd love to hear it.
My theory is that, when I sleep, my heart rate is dropping very low (possibly related to a central sleep apnea?), and when it drops too low, the ventricle starts firing independently as the electric potential builds too high, leading to a temporary "loop" tachy arrhythmia. So, the solution would seem to be to prevent the slow heart rate in the first place, but direct treatments for CSA/bradycardia seem pretty crude to non-existent - cloddish breathing apparatus, or pacemakers - I'm hoping for something less invasive.
I also have PVCs - have had for years.
I've been through full battery of heart tests including EP study - they told me I just have a 'benign arrythmia'.
Anyone who's found a good treatment for sleep-induced bradycardia, I'd love to hear it.
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I'm currently investingating whether my (probably) sleep-related brady-tachy has been going on for years, slowly damaging my heart. It did get severe enough to require a pacemaker to prevent the low rate from going too low, and toperol to keep the high rate down. I'm still new to the PM and meds, but so far I am sleeping better than I have in many years.