Hey! For the last 2 nights I've been getting this feeling, when I'm trying to go to sleep late at night, like my heart stops for a second. I feel really relaxed you see. Like my heart rate is very low, but then just as I'm drifting off , I get this feeling, like my heart stops for a second (roughly) and so I jerk! I sit up suddenly and have a mini panic moment... Any ideas what this is?
I've been really stressed the last month. Extremely so. And only recently it all went away. Anything to do with that? It's really disconcerting...
Thanks!
*The one that got away*2011-10-08T17:25:45Z
Favorite Answer
I know how you feel I went to cardiologist for years to figure it out and they said that stress can cause that or too much caffeine try to limit that it does helps. Try more exercises it does wonders its is really calming I jog or just walk a mile a night and I feel much better
If you drink coffee or energy drinks you should take a break from them for a while.(a month) If not,then you probably have some kind of dysrhythmia caused by the stress.. Don't flip out it's normal..It's abnormal if it doesn't go away.. Start eating green leafy vegetables,dried fruits and bananas daily for a month and drink a lot of water. Your potassium level might be low.If there is no change after 2-3 weeks or your condition gets worse then go see a cardiologist.But I think you'll be fine. And as always: eat right,exercise and meditate.It'll help.I promise. Good luck,take care..;)
The symptoms you describe could be real, a skipped beat, or you actually could be dreaming that your heart skips as something jerks you awake. It sounds to me like this could be a sleep disorder, such as night panic attacks or night terrors. They're not as bad as the names make them seem; it could just be waking after suddenly dreaming that you hear a knock on the door.
You would really benefit from a sleep study prescribed by a sleep specialist. You are completely monitored, so if your heart really is skipping a beat, they'll know. And if your monitors show you are fine and you jerk awake thinking your heart skipped a beat, that may confirm the sleep panic disorder.
You can get that sensations for many reasons: some totally benign and some serious. Not to go in medical detail, I suggest your doctor who should order an EKG. You may also need Holter monitoring as the episode may not happen when being examined.