My heart beats irregulary the moment just before I fall asleep...

[nietweer]

Nobody can seem to shed any light on this.
For a couple of weeks I often experience the following:

I'm lying down in bed. No problems yet. Heart is beating regulary and correctly. Then when I'm almost falling asleep, like sleep is 5 seconds away, all of a sudden my heart starts to beat very irregulary. I feel it more in my belly / stomach area, but I also measure my heart rate in my neck artery and I feel it beating very irregulary. The moment I bring myself back to the real world, cough or sit-up it stops and my heart will beat correctly again.

This also happens in the morning when I wake up and I'm trying to go for another round of sleep.

During the day I have no problems. That's not because I don't 'notice' it during the day (believe me, I notice everything and measure all the time), but because it's not happening.

So as you can imagine, sleep has become problematic and scary these days. Some days I can fall asleep without noticing it, but most days it happens at least a couple of times before I'm able to sleep.

Now, my questions are:
- Why might this be happening? What kind of arrhythmia is that? And why does it only happen when the sleep wave hits me and not at any other moment?
- Is it possible that this arrhythmia continues all night during sleep as well? That would be bad right?

My GP is not impressed by my story and thinks it's just anxiety. To be sure, I'll be put on a 7-day event monitor next week. Until I get the results I have no answers and it freaks me out.

If anyone has any idea or had anything similar and can shed some light on this, that would be greatly appreciated.

Take care everyone.

[MichelleP_3811]

No one can tell you for sure so it is good you are getting a monitor to catch what it is but it sounds like run of the mill premature beats.  They can be caused by stomach issues like gas and acid reflux.  A doctor may not agree but many people see the connection.  I will especially get them if I have acid reflux or gas.  It is possible that they are popping in when you lay down simply because your heart rate is slowing down.  But that isn't significant of anything to be concerned about.  Some people just have sensitive hearts who are prone to a few premature beats.  They are benign in an otherwise healthy heart.  The worst thing you can do is stress out about them. That will actually cause you to have more.  Try to avoid caffeine, sugars and carbohydrates.  Avoid heavy meals and foods that aggravate your stomach.  As well stay well hydrated as dehydration will bring them on as well.  So best of luck with the monitor but I suspect the results will be run of the mill nothing to be concerned about premature beats.  Take care.