I am awakened by rapid heart beats.

[Sandra]

Dear Doctor,
I am writing because lately at night I am awakened by rapid heart rate.  My body feels real funny, Like the nerve endings are tingling.  I am on a new medication and wonder if that could cause it.  MS Contin?  I have always had problems with palpatations, every since I can remember.  I realize my smoking attributes to this, but these are different.  I experience no chest pain, but I panic and it becomes worse.  I can't even count the times my heart is BPM because it is beating so fast.  I am on a beta-blocker, Inderal.  I also drink a significant amount of tea. I consume no alcohol (one good thing)
My cholesterol is in the 300's as are my triglycerides.  I am 41 and my HDL levels are very low.  what can I do to increase them?
I worry about a heart attack.  Any information would be appreciated.

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

Despite the popularity of this theory, there is no reason a healthy person with a normal diet would be deficient in magnesium. Likely any pill could decrease PVCs if the person taking it believes that it will have some effect. This effect is why so many people are convinced that all sorts of remedies decrease PVCs, when in fact there is no relation at all. There is no good scientific evidence that silicone breast implants do in fact lead to any disease whatsoever. Actually, this is an unusual and unfortunate case where a medical company did not actually do anything wrong but is getting blamed anyway. Prayer, meditation, and/or organized religion are all useful for maintenance of good health and would be of particular use to those who are suffering from stress and stress-related ailments.

[jan]

I also am awakened by abnormal heart beats.  Sometimes it seems as if just turning over stresses my heart like running a mile would and it pounds very hard and fast, then slows down.  Every time I turn over, it repeats the same thing.  Getting up eliminates it.  Sometimes I am awakened by a very rapid heart beat.  Anxiety only intensifies it, but anxiety is inevitable.  This generally lasts 20 minutes or so.  The doctors have been unable to catch this on a monitor because it happens so unpredictably.  I did want to tell you that when this first started it was severe and I thought I was going to die.  I had silicone breast implants (now removed as of May of this year), and I was speaking to a Holistic Health Clinic in Washington.  The doctor there told me that almost all patients seen in ER with severe tachycardia have a Magnesium deficiency.  He also told me that Silicone toxicity causes malabsorption of minerals, which further complicated my case.  I immediately started on Magnesium 500 mg. per day and have seen a dramatic improvement in my symptoms.  I have fewer episodes than I did have although recent stress has seemed to cause a relapse of some kind. I know what you mean wen you say your nerve endings feel funny.  Sometimes I wake up feeling like I am going to pass out, then my heart starts beating funny.  There is a disorder called dysautonomia which is caused by improper relay of nerve impulses that I feel also causes some of my symptoms.  Research that disorder on the internet and see if any of it sounds familiar.   God Bless and good luck!  Remember Jesus is the Great Physician and he can heal anything.

[jan]

I also am awakened by abnormal heart beats.  Sometimes it seems as if just turning over stresses my heart like running a mile would and it pounds very hard and fast, then slows down.  Every time I turn over, it repeats the same thing.  Getting up eliminates it.  Sometimes I am awakened by a very rapid heart beat.  Anxiety only intensifies it, but anxiety is inevitable.  This generally lasts 20 minutes or so.  The doctors have been unable to catch this on a monitor because it happens so unpredictably.  I did want to tell you that when this first started it was severe and I thought I was going to die.  I had silicone breast implants (now removed as of May of this year), and I was speaking to a Holistic Health Clinic in Washington.  The doctor there told me that almost all patients seen in ER with severe tachycardia have a Magnesium deficiency.  He also told me that Silicone toxicity causes malabsorption of minerals, which further complicated my case.  I immediately started on Magnesium 500 mg. per day and have seen a dramatic improvement in my symptoms.  I have fewer episodes than I did have although recent stress has seemed to cause a relapse of some kind. I know what you mean wen you say your nerve endings feel funny.  Sometimes I wake up feeling like I am going to pass out, then my heart starts beating funny.  There is a disorder called dysautonomia which is caused by improper relay of nerve impulses that I feel also causes some of my symptoms.  Research that disorder on the internet and see if any of it sounds familiar.   God Bless and good luck!  Remember Jesus is the Great Physician and he can heal anything.

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

The new medication could cause the 'feeling funny' part, but does not cause fast heart rates.
Your cholesterol is not related to the palpitations. You should be evaluated by your doctor to see if you have an SVT or panic attacks. Of course, you should stop smoking.
Exercise and a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet will likely improve your lipid profile. Aerobic exercise can also help raise the HDL levels.