Do you have heart palpitations at night?
Our heart pumps blood throughout our body, but it also reacts to the emotions we feel. Have you ever had a pounding heart before presenting in your class? Or, perhaps you felt your heart drop at bad news. One such reaction is when your heart flutters — while it is usually associated with love, that is not always the case. If your heart is racing at night, it could be a sign of potential problems, which we will discuss in this blog.
Why Do I Have Heart Palpitations at Night?
Generally, heart palpitations are not a result of underlying conditions, but when they do, it could be Premature Ventricular Contraction (PMC) or Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC). The reason this happens is because your heartbeats occur too soon, or they are out of rhythm. Other than this, your sleeping position also leads to heart palpitations at night. Below, we will list some reasons for this phenomenon:
- Panic Attacks: If you have anxiety, stress, or depression, it can be why you have heart palpitations.
- Electrolyte Imbalance: The electrolytes in your body are minerals that help in keeping your heartbeat stable. When you go through an electrolyte imbalance or dehydration, it could alter the rhythm of your heart.
- Obesity: A common reason behind heart problems is obesity, which might also result in abnormal heart rhythms.
- Diet: Foods or beverages that contain high sugar content, fats, and sodium could be behind heart palpitations at night as well. So, alcohol, caffeine, and chocolate also contribute to the altered heartbeat.
- Drugs: Did you take a drug such as nicotine? It can cause changes in the rhythm of your heart. In addition, diet pills and nasal decongestants containing pseudoephedrine might also be responsible for heart palpitations at night.
- Hormonal changes: When women go through hormonal changes, like menopause or pregnancy, it brings forth heart palpitations as well. Heart palpitations are pretty common during pregnancy and not that serious, but you still might want to visit a doctor.
- Health Conditions: You may have heart palpitations at night if you have heart disease, anemia, hypotension, thyroid problems, hypoglycemia, heart rhythm problems, and more.
How to Deal with Heart Palpitations at Night
While heart palpitations do not usually require treatment, particularly if they are occasional, you should consult your doctor on what to do. In the meantime, you can try the following to stop heart palpitations at night:
- Try the pursued breathing techniques, taking long and deep breaths.
- Relaxation techniques
- Drink enough water.
- Roll in your bed, sit up, or try taking a short walk around your room while taking deep breaths.
- Visit a doctor to get treatment for the underlying condition.
What is the Takeaway?
You can have heart palpitations due to multiple reasons, such as hormonal changes, anxiety, panic attacks, and underlying medical conditions. Visit a doctor for proper treatment!
At Memorial Cardiology Associates, we offer exceptional diagnosis and treatment. You can talk to us now at (713) 464-6006.