Rapid Heat beat when waking up

For last week or so, been waking up and can feel my heart pounding so this morning I grabbed my BP wrist monitor and checked it, my BP was pretty good like 105/73 but my pulse was 140...I thought this bloody thing must be broke so I tried it again, and again my BP was really good but my pulse was 135, to ad to this I feel a little outta breath. So I took out the trash and came and sat down and took it again, this time my BPM was 77. I'm not on any meds for my anxiety. Any clues? Thanx in advance


Cheet

This condition is why I happened by this great site.

Is it possible that you are waking up with a bad dream? Or maybe in a panic attack? Many people wake up with a rush of adrenaline and cortisol when they are overwhelmed with anxiety, but I would agree with Kitt that it wouldn't hurt to get it checked out with your dr. just to be sure.

The fact that your heartrate dropped after you got your mind off of it is good, so in the meantime, concentrate on breathing and relaxation exercises when it feels like it is racing or pounding:)

Take care and let us know how you are doing soon,
S.C.

---

Moderator:Anxiety/Panic

"Courage is not the abscence of fear, it is feeling afraid and doing it anyway!"

"It is when we are most lost that we sometimes find our truest friends"

Panic Syndrome recovery due to CBT

Post Edited (Scaredy Cat) : 1/2/2012 10:56:42 PM (GMT-7)

I often wake up with a racing heart.  My testing turned out fine.  According to my doctor, cortisol kicks in early in the morning to help wake us up.  When we have anxiety issues and are sensitive to bodily functions, the cortisol can sometimes give us a rapid or pounding heart beat...sort of like adrenaline rushes.  I try not to over react to it as that makes it worse.

Cheeterky,
I used to do the same thing, no matter the time of day. I would think that my heart was going to beat out of my chest or explode. Kinda like the feeling you have when you are very scared. Would feel tired and sleepy at times. Could fall asleep if I was still for a few minutes.
I saw a cardiologist who did a series of tests including a tilt test and echocardiogram and determined that I have mitral valve prolapse. One thing that he asked me and I had not noticed was if when I slept on my left side that the rapid heartbeat was worse...and after thinking about it, it was true for me. Just few things you might want to consider.
I take atenolol (for around 17 years now) and can really tell if I miss a dose. I would consider seeing a cardiologist. You may have to obtain a referral from your MD as many cardiologists require one.
Good luck to you and please post back the outcome if you see a cardiologist.

Blessings!

I forgot to add: lay off the caffeine products if you haven't already. It was REALLY affecting my heart beat and I just feel better overall since changing over to flavored water ....I'm not saying its easy to completely come off of caffeine but you will be glad you did. Even on my meds, if I drink a soda or tea with caffeine, my heart beat will go crazy...pounding rapidly and almost feels like I have a little difficulty breathing in my upper chest and throat. Sounds wierd but cannot explain it any other way. Other people that I know who have mitral valve explained it the same way. Hope this helps a little.

Blessings!

Thanx all, since then I've had the worst cold of my life and have been stuck here at my home, might go to MD tomorrow and get some meds for this bloody cold and will mention the rapid heart beats. It hasn't done it since I posted this thread, but I have felt really strange all week, like I'm walking around drunk.

I think I'm turning into Bill Murray's character Bob in "what about Bob"
"Baby Steps","I need to take a vacation from my problems" or "Dr Marvin your death therapy cured me"

Great Movie!!!, Lol:)

I hope that you feel better soon, let us know how you're doing, and what the doctor says...could've just been a reaction to your coming down with something. When I have the flu, my heart pounds, I think it's just something that people with anxiety notice and react to.

Feel better,
S.C.

---

Moderator:Anxiety/Panic

"Courage is not the abscence of fear, it is feeling afraid and doing it anyway!"

"It is when we are most lost that we sometimes find our truest friends"

Panic Syndrome recovery due to CBT