Heart Palpitation refers to a condition of a fast, fluttering, or pounding heart rate. There is no fixed time for heart palpitations and they can happen anytime but are more noticeable at night. In rare instances, heart pounding at night can be a sign of a severe condition of arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm).
Heart palpitations can be triggered by various stimuli such as alcohol, nicotine, hormonal changes, stress, or caffeine consumption. In some rare cases, they can also be a symptom of a thyroid disorder or heart disease.
Heart palpitations are usually not harmful. They can sometimes occur due to the way you sleep, such as sleeping on your side in a bent-over position which can increase pressure in your body and cause palpitations.
There are many other reasons behind heart palpitations, some of them include:
Waking up with heart racing can be stressful but it is not always a sign of a severe condition. Heart palpitations in the morning can be caused by anxiety, lack of sleep, or heart arrhythmia. A racing heart upon awakening can also be caused by numerous reasons such as overconsumption of caffeine, use of stimulant medications, cold, fever, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism.
While lying down, you may experience chest fluttering, you may feel an irregular heartbeat at night, and your heart rate may either speed up, slow down or pause briefly for a second or two. You might also experience a racing heart and hear your heartbeat in your ears.
Heart palpitations, unless frequent, don’t usually require treatment. To relieve heart racing at night, practice deep breathing, meditate, and try relaxation techniques. Dehydration can cause heart palpitations, thereby when you experience heart pounding at night, drink a glass of water. Changing your sleeping position such as rolling over in bed or taking deep breaths may also alleviate heart palpitations.
It is not always necessary to see a doctor if your heart racing is stimulated by anxiety, oftentimes, heart palpitations anxiety is lessened on its own. However, if they persist for a long time or affect your daily activities, you must seek medical help. If the cause of your heart palpitations is unclear, you should also see a doctor for a diagnosis.
To determine the root cause of heart palpitations, the doctor might conduct the following evaluations:
Memon Medical Institute Hospital is one of the best cardiac hospitals in Karachi. With its team of qualified and best cardiologists in Karachi, its aim is to facilitate good health with the best care. A healthy heart should be a priority for every person and MMIH makes sure that no minor or critical heart condition is compromised.
Acidity, also known as acid reflux or heartburn, is a common digestive disorder. It happens…
Tonsillitis, an inflammation of the tonsils, can range from a minor nuisance to a serious…
Bawaseer, also known as hemorrhoids, is a medical condition characterized by swollen or inflamed veins…
Millions of individuals worldwide suffer from skin allergies, sometimes referred to as allergic dermatitis. From…
Migraine is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, debilitating headaches often accompanied by other symptoms…
Millions of people worldwide suffer from asthma, a chronic respiratory disease that is characterized by…