Heart Palpitations, shortness of breath while sleeping

jasonjason · Newbie Joined: 30 May 2007 Posts: 1

I have had this problem for about a week it is extremely strange and scary. I am 25 years old and pretty healthy/athletic. I have had slight shortness of breath during the day but when I lie down to go to sleep it is amplified. As I doze off I am awoken by what feels like my heart almost getting shocked. It shakes me awake and I then have trouble going back to sleep. I begin to doze off again I can feel my heart palpitating and then when I finally fall asleep I am awoken again by the electric jumping feeling in my heart. During this lying down state my shortness of breath is at its worse. I need to take extremely deep breaths to feel like my body is getting enough oxygen. I went to the doctor and had a normal ekg and blood test looked fine. Could this be sleep apnea? Could this be a lung problem that is affecting my heart? I dont think it anxiety because I am not having trouble falling a sleep rather I am getting jarred awake as soon as I do fall into sleep.

Guest · Guest

Guest · Guest

You could be experiencing adrenal fatigue. I had heart palpitations and tacchycardia for several months before a homeopathic doc diagnosed me with adrenal fatigue. Apparently, Western medicine docs don't recognize it as a disease state, but what a mistake because it can affect your body (and mind) in so many ways). Definitely worth a google search.

ClarkSplich · Newbie Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 1

Hello,

It brings considerable relief hearing about a near IDENTICAL syndrome that I've been experiencing lately. But first, a brief history:

I'm male, 25 years old, about 10-15 lbs overweight, a smoker of 4 years (though, after my first bout of breathlessness and palpitations about a month ago, I quit successfully), and I've exercised somewhat regularly for the last 2 months.

As it would happen, these symptoms corresponded with serious life challenges, both a month ago and this latest occurrence (turning 25, and the stress of finding a new job, respectively). Because of this, my GP quickly wrote it off as anxiety/panic, wrote a script for Xanax, and sent me on my merry way - "just another hypochondriac," I imagine she thought.

The trouble I have with this, however, is I KNOW what anxiety/panic feels likes; I've lived with it for the better part of my adult life. THESE symptoms (breathlessness at rest, violent palpations, parasthesia in the trunk radiating into the extremities) WERE NOT the symptoms I had grow intimate with over the last few years suffering from panic attacks (if anything, these symptoms emerged once an attack was in full swing, but never preceded it).

What's more, these symptoms, both then and now occurred daily like clockwork, are in no way alleviated by benzopiazipines. The proof is in the pudding: this isn't anxiety.

I'm not sure what to do now. I've heard horror stories about young people developing congestive heart failure due to poor lifestyle choices (God knows, I've made many...) I'd like to see a cardiologist and get an echo and rule out the most grave of conditions, but having to navigate the heath care system gives me little hope (to get a referral, for one, I'll have to go back to see the GP that handed down the WRONG diagnosis).

I hope this helps others who are suffering from these strange and frightening symptoms and fear the worse. My advice would be (and let's hope I follow it...): if you think there's something sinister going on in your chest - heart, lungs, or otherwise - go DIRECTLY to a specialist, then specifically request certain tests that you have researched, and above all, don't take s*** from lazy GPs.

Cheers.

mtch_h · Newbie Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 1

I suffered the same symptoms you've explained; heart palpitations and a jolting feeling through my chest when trying to sleep at night. By day I would feel like I was in a fog and quite light-headed. Sometimes I would feel like I was about to pass out. I felt a pressure pain in the center of my chest both day and night. These symptoms just hit me out of the blue. I'm in great physical shape so these symptoms really scared me.

After seeing my GP, a neurologist and an ENT all of whom carried out a full cardo workup, blood workup, urinalysis, head/neck MRI, and ENG/VNG testing, my GP diagnosed anxiety and prescribed Xanex and Lexapro. After about a month it was apparent that anxiety wasn't my problem because my symptoms didn't change. I didn't think that was it to begin with.

I went to a Cardiologist a couple of weeks ago and he administered a tilt table test. Well I failed the test. I've been diagnosed with Neuro Cardiogenic Syncope. Basically, there's a problem somewhere with receptors in my heart that send signals to my brain about my blood pressure. My blood pressure is dropping when it shouldn't (light headedness) and my heart is responding inappropriately (palpitations). I was prescribed the beta-blocker Zebeta which is used to treat high blood pressure. It's just about eliminated all my symptoms. I feel much better. My Cardiologist believes it to be a transient condition that will likely correct itself after about 6 months of treatment with the beta blocker.

Search the web for "Neurocardiogenic Syncope" and "tilt table testing". Then you may want to talk to a cardiologist about this.

I hope this helps you guys and many others. Not being able to find an answer to symptoms that mimic heart attack and heart failure is emotionally exhausting.

Good luck.

Guest · Guest

I suffered these similar conditions last nnight . I believe however that it might be that I am in a high altitude area and this could be negatively affecting my condition. When I started to fall asleep I get suddenly woke up by shortness of breath. Each time I tried to sleep it happened. I never had these symptoms before but now after being several thousand feet above sea level thats when this got to be a problem.

Guest · Guest

Get your thyroid checked immediately- i had the same problem and blew it off for a long time. It could be hyperthyroid.

Guest · Guest

thanks to google... i was able to see this articles about this problem... actually i had the same symptoms.. as far as i remember, a few months ago i always wake up at night, awaken by a big pump/beat on the chest, and i just ignored it, but now, this night, its my second time to have palpitation attacks, and it really woke me up... i am 24 i do play basketball, and i smoke, irregularly... i think i might need to save this articles guys... thanks, hope doctors can help me cure this, because its really bothering me, and i dont wanna miss work..

Heart Palpitations, shortness of breath while sleeping

LIFEFORM SOCIAL COMMUNITY NETWORK