Do you get heart palpitations when lying down?

Do you get heart palpitations when lying down?

Whether you’re getting ready for bed or looking for a quick respite from the day, lying down is supposed to be the first step toward rest and relaxation. A few things can (and tend) to get in the way of that: kids, work, stress — for some, it’s heart palpitations.

This uncomfortable feeling in your chest can be alarming. But the good news is that it’s most often no cause for concern. If you experience heart palpitations when you lie down, Northwell Health shares what you should know.

What are heart palpitations?

Heart palpitations are an abnormal fluttering, racing or pounding of the heartbeat. They can occur at different times for different reasons.

Experiencing heart palpitations at night can affect sleep, leaving patients wondering, "Why does my heart beat fast when I lie down?"

Why do I get heart palpitations when lying down?

Lying down in certain ways presses the stomach and chest cavity together, putting pressure on the heart and blood flow and increasing circulation. The easiest fix for this is simply to change position.

In some cases, heart palpitations may be caused by other health conditions, including stress, anxiety, dehydration, low potassium or low blood sugar.

Other causes include:

• Too much caffeine — beyond 400 milligrams, or about 4 cups of coffee’s worth, in one day
• Hormonal changes, such as those associated with menopause or birth control
• Certain prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs, like decongestants, amphetamines and beta blockers
• Anemia — a low red blood cell count
• Hyperthyroidism — an overactive thyroid gland resulting in excessive hormone production

How do I stop heart palpitations when lying down?

Most causes of heart palpitations are easily treated with simple lifestyle changes. Things to try:

• Don’t drink caffeine
• Quit smoking
• Use deep breathing and meditation to reduce stress and anxiety
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
• Eat a well-rounded diet that includes fruits and vegetables
• Avoid skipping meals, as this causes abrupt drops in blood sugar
• Avoid prescription or over-the-counter drugs that may aggravate the issue (before making any changes, talk to your doctor)

Heart palpitations and underlying health conditions

Addressing the above causes and making corresponding lifestyle changes may do the trick for some. If you continue to have heart palpitations, it may signal a more serious health condition.

• Arrhythmia: Heart palpitations that occur with regularity can be classified as arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats. Arrhythmia is often harmless; some patients, however, will suffer serious side effects. Speak to a cardiologist if you are concerned about your heart.
• Heart defect: Abnormalities in the structure of the heart and its components can impair its ability to beat and pump blood, causing palpitations. Defects known to cause heart palpitations include:
• Mitral valve prolapse: A heart valve that opens and closes opposite its intended direction.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A thickening of the heart’s muscle tissue.
• Cardiac arrest: Sudden, intense palpitations often occur right before cardiac arrest, a complete stop of the heartbeat. This is an immediate life-threatening emergency that can cause death within minutes if not treated.

When to see a doctor

Heart palpitations are often harmless, coming and going with no lasting consequences. However, if you experience any of these symptoms regularly along with rapid heartbeat, contact your doctor:

• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or nausea
• Chest pain
• Fainting
• Prolonged fatigue
• Swollen feet

Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may order tests like an electrocardiogram, stress test or CT scan.

This story was produced by Northwell Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.