Develop rapid heart rate while sleeping

[phyl]

I have had three episodes now during the middle of the night that are terrifying. (One was just while laying around) Out of a dead sleep I will awaken and my heart is racing so fast I can't even count the beats.  I start trembling and shivering and feel very weak.  The first time it only lasted about 5 minutes.  Last night it lasted almost 30-40 minutes before it would slow down.  I was so close to going to the ER, but was afraid the minute the ambulance showed up it would be normal again.  I had heard if you hold your nose and mouth shut and try to blow that causes your heartbeat to slow down...well that didn't work...Finally I decided to take a xanax and within about 2 minutes it slowed down.  I can't believe the xanax worked that quick, but after that I was ok and could go back to sleep.  This morning I awoke and feel like I have run a marathon.  Very shaky, weak feeling and tired.  This was so scary and I'm afraid it will happen again, but next time my husband might be out of town and I'll be alone.  I don't want to seem like a hypochondriac and run to the ER every time this happens but it really has me worried. I had a dr. appt last week and mentioned to him about the one when I was laying around and that it only lasted about 10 minutes and he said it was probably just an adrenalin rush, mostly because I do tend to have anxiety problems to start with.  What would cause this while sleeping.  I had no problems before going to bed.  How could anxiety bother you while sleeping?  I had worked in the yard earlier in the day and really pushed my heart rate up for a few minutes and had to go lay down and rest for a minute, but after that felt fine.  Could the exercise earlier in the day had caused this 12 hours later?  Can adrenaline really effect you in this way with rapid heart rate and palipatations versus being a true heart problem?  Sorry for all the questions, but I am so scared it's probably adding to my symptons now.  Please don't just tell me to go see my dr.  He thinks I'm a head case now as it is.  These are true symptons and it's not all in my head.  Thx for your advice.

[elkrunrockies]

A related discussion, rapid heart rate was started.

[petarro]

Has anyone come up with a solution?

[Matt_in_NoVa]

A related discussion, Exact Same Thing was started.

[reesie415]

I'm 31 and have been experiencing these exact same problems.  I experience these rapid heart beats mostly at nite when I try to rest and fall asleep.  Sometimes it happens out of nowhere, and other times,I think "what if is gonna happen now?" And sure enought, just by thinking about it, it happens! I feel that I do tend to be a little anxious at times, and I do get stressed...I'm a mom of 2 young boys,both under 10 yrs old, and I'm also a student.  I've been trying to maintain good health and an excercise regiment, I run 2 miles every day, and eat a low cal,low carb,high protein diet...why is this happenning to me? I feel paranoid that I may be ill...I haven't seen a doc in 3 yrs since  my insurance is expired and I can't afford any right now...that being said, who knows what could be wrong.  I'm really scared. One things for sure, it does feel good to know I'm not alone.  

[dljessee]

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[summerrushphotography]

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